Photo by David Benzel, Seminary Teacher with SEND Ukraine

Since 988, when the local population accepted Christianity and was baptized as a whole group in the Dnieper, believers have been being baptized here. Most churches here don't have "baptistries" in their church building and go out to a local river or lake, as does the church we're a part of, Духовне Відродження ("Spiritual Rebirth"). Through the years we have seen many baptized here who have become dear friends. This picture does not show the early morning fishermen around us who watched with interest and listened to the songs we sang between each baptism.



Second Place: "Participants in a Gardening Program Exploring Team Hope’s Farm”

This was taken during a session of our gardening program. Each participant in this program receives the materials and training needed to start and sustain their own organic, home garden. Through this project, not only have families been able to feed their families more vegetables, some have even been able to sell their surplus for extra income. This photo was taken during a cooking competition, hosted on Team Hope's local farm, in which participants used their home-grown vegetables to make delicious dishes!



Third place: “Susan Shoveling the Tsubamesawa Church Parking Lot”

Photo by John Edwards, D House Leader with SEND Japan

Sendai city usually has a few snowfalls in the winter. For two years, we lived within walking distance of the our church, Tsubamesawa Church, so Susan and/or I would shovel the parking lot. On this occasion, I took this photo of Susan shoveling during my daily jog.

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