What a large country! Uninterrupted fields for miles; cereal crops being harvested, high sunflowers, sweetcorn waiting to be cropped. The Intercity roads were reasonable but there were no road works over the 500 miles travelled visiting Kiev plus four other cities!

Along with our driver and interpreter, who we could not have done without, we were a party of twelve supporters of Shofar International. Two mini buses transported us and our luggage so we were not too cramped in the 80°F and above temperatures.

Shofar is a humanitarian aid organisation, set up for the Jewish People in Poland in 1984. Now reaching 24 countries most of the work is carried out in the Ukraine and Former Soviet Union countries. It provides finance for the soup kitchens which serve 1,000 members in the Jewish communities in large and small scale centres - free, five days a week. Food parcels are delivered to the needy by volunteers in minibuses also winter aid eg. fuel, electric fires, extra vegetables and help with gas bills. Household items, clothing, shoes, toiletries, sweets and biscuits are also given. Other support includes finances for medicines and operations arranged, children's programmes, help to celebrate Jewish holidays and for their return to Israel.

During our stay we made several home visits to individuals. We met some believers in Messiah Jesus living in appalling conditions. They are old, lonely and often ill and, were it not for Shofar, could easily die of starvation. They get a tiny pension which is not nearly enough to live on.. Much more could be done for these precious people. Go to www.shofar.org.uk for more details of how you could help.

As a pioneer group we were privileged to share such a well planned and conducted tour. We were very challenged, blessed, and had fun and some have a return visit in mind...