We received these three notes from regular UEC visitors. Yulya and Nataliya work in Kyiv and visit the Center regularly. Yuri is an ICU student and has been coming to Nivki Church of Christ for more than a year. We met him through his first visit to the UEC.

My name is Yulya Kyrpich. I am 22, and for the past year-and-a-half I've been a member of the UEC. I would like to thank the UEC's founders for the wonderful idea of creating the Center and for putting it into life.

About two years ago, I asked one of my friends if there is a place where I could obtain Christian books if I could not afford to buy them. He told me about a Christian library in Kyiv. Then after some time, another friend of mine told me he visited an education center and gave me the address. I knew that was the time for me to visit this Center.

I enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. I check out Christian books in Russian and sometimes video cassettes. It's awesome that the Center has a kitchen so I can feel at home. I like the idea of separate rooms. Nowhere else in Kyiv can you find that.

I come here to relax and think if I know I can't do this at home. I met many people at the UEC. It's very easy to make friends here. Most of the people are very open to that. I know that if I want to communicate with someone I will for sure meet those people at the UEC. We can meet together and watch a movie or do something else. By the way, thank you very much for this opportunity. It would be wonderful if more movies in Russian were available. Thank you for the computers and for the library database. They are very helpful. I plan to continue visiting the Center because this is the place where I receive help and support.

Respectfully, Yulya Kyrpich

I'm writing to thank you for your part in creating and maintaining the Ukrainian Education Center. I, as many other students from my university, am a regular visitor of the UEC.

Most students of our university (International Christian University) are not from Kyiv. As there are few dormitories and students are forced to rent rooms (and share them with other people), it is always a problem to find a quiet place where we can concentrate on our studies. The UEC not only provides me the room to do my studies, but also has a splendid library, where I can find information on almost any subject I may need. Moreover, most projects and homework cannot be done without a computer. As I don't have one, the computers at the UEC are a great help to me because the usage of a computer at Computer Clubs is too expensive.

For most students it takes a long time to go from University to the place they live. The UEC, being located near our University, is also a great place where I can gather with my friends during breaks. We can spend time in the UEC kitchen: have a snack, chat, and prepare for the next lectures. The UEC has a special friendly atmosphere between all the visitors, even if they don't know each other, so it's much easer to get to know new people. That is how I found new Christian friends and, eventually, became a Christian myself.

Now the Center plays an important Christian role for me. Here I can find Christian apologetics, when I need to understand some theological questions, or I just may read inspiring books by Lewis or other writers. Besides, I attend Soup Group where Chris Lovingood helps with questions I might have on the Bible and Christianity. My church small group is also held at the UEC. The Center helps both in my university and my Christian life.

Sincerely, Yuri Marikovsky

Four years ago a sister in Christ invited me to visit your Center. What I saw here impressed me to the depth of my heart. I saw the reality of what the Bible tells us about: the love of God shown to the world by Christians not just in words, but in practice.

Thank you so much for the wonderful library where I can find necessary books on Christianity, unique reference books and dictionaries, a magnificent collection of fiction and social literature. Thank you for the collection of video cassettes and DVDs so good in both quality and content. Thank you for the care about our youth, so talented and beautiful, but so much in need of real help. Thank you for the atmosphere of unconditional love and acceptance that always reigns in the Center.

With much appreciation, Nataliya Yaremenko

Posted November 22, 2005