Genuine Steamboat: The Scent of Freedom
01/15/2025 03:12PM ● By Deb Olsen
Photos courtesy of Julie Lewis.
"Will there be Christmas this year?” wonders Tim Vashchyshyn, pastor of the International Christian Assembly in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Last year, the holiday brought a much-needed bounty, from medical supplies, backpacks and winter clothes to American candy, thermoses, USB flashlights and granola bars. The goods were purchased with donations from Steamboat Christian Center and the Steamboat Springs community.
"So many bags,” Pastor Tim recalls. “We were so happy – winter clothes! The kids were super happy. My wife grew up in a small village, and for her, American candy has this scent of freedom.”
Now people are wondering what Christmas will look like in 2024 in Kyiv. “In reality, there isn’t a single place in Ukraine that is safe,” Pastor Tim says. He and his wife, who are expecting a child, live on the 19th floor of an apartment building and are saving every penny to move to a safer, ground-level home.
Last August, bombs burst above the ICA building, where Julie Lewis, Doug and Lisa Renee Tumminello, Gary French, Jon Fenderson and Kirby Maddox were bringing humanitarian aid and funds to support the people of Ukraine. At the time, the aerial assault was the largest drone strike of the Russia/Ukraine war. The frontline, a nebulous term at best, was thought to be hundreds of miles from their location. But the war came to them upon the delivery of F16 fighter jets by Ukrainian allies to an airstrip less than a mile from where they were staying.
The long row of townhomes that houses the church also houses a rehab facility, a refugee center and a school. “We go up and down the stairs every day,” he says. “Downstairs for the siren, upstairs all clear.”
With two-thirds of the nation’s power plants out of commission, firewood is in short supply, as are generators. Financial aid and essential goods are much needed, but even more so is encouragement. “It’s easy to fall into a routine and feel like you’re alone,” Tim says.
So why the connection with Steamboat? “For me,” Julie says, “just living in Steamboat Springs, it’s such a philanthropic place, such a uniquely blessed town. Of all the places that we could help, Ukraine would be on the top of the list.”
“If God puts something on your heart, you’ve just got to step out,” Lisa Renee says. “A huge piece of our hearts is with the people of Kyiv. They give new meaning to the word ‘resilient.’”
The connection is much appreciated by the people of Kyiv. "Steamboat has done a tremendous job of realizing what are the actual needs. They have given us faith and trust,” Pastor Tim says.
Lisa Renee surmises that people in Steamboat are generous because they are well-traveled and globally minded. Traveling more than 5,000 miles to provide aid in the face of danger takes a special kind of person – the kind that embodies a genuine Steamboat spirit.
"Will there be Christmas this year?” wonders Tim Vashchyshyn, pastor of the International Christian Assembly in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Last year, the holiday brought a much-needed bounty, from medical supplies, backpacks and winter clothes to American candy, thermoses, USB flashlights and granola bars. The goods were purchased with donations from Steamboat Christian Center and the Steamboat Springs community.
"So many bags,” Pastor Tim recalls. “We were so happy – winter clothes! The kids were super happy. My wife grew up in a small village, and for her, American candy has this scent of freedom.”
Now people are wondering what Christmas will look like in 2024 in Kyiv. “In reality, there isn’t a single place in Ukraine that is safe,” Pastor Tim says. He and his wife, who are expecting a child, live on the 19th floor of an apartment building and are saving every penny to move to a safer, ground-level home.
Last August, bombs burst above the ICA building, where Julie Lewis, Doug and Lisa Renee Tumminello, Gary French, Jon Fenderson and Kirby Maddox were bringing humanitarian aid and funds to support the people of Ukraine. At the time, the aerial assault was the largest drone strike of the Russia/Ukraine war. The frontline, a nebulous term at best, was thought to be hundreds of miles from their location. But the war came to them upon the delivery of F16 fighter jets by Ukrainian allies to an airstrip less than a mile from where they were staying.
“I was scared, but now, I can’t get the people off my mind,” says Julie, who says that despite her fears, she would be willing togo back again. "As Americans, we might have been uncomfortable for 10-12 days, but it’s their life every day,” Lisa Renee adds. “We were humbled to step into that experience.”
The long row of townhomes that houses the church also houses a rehab facility, a refugee center and a school. “We go up and down the stairs every day,” he says. “Downstairs for the siren, upstairs all clear.”
“The people (in Kyiv) were invaded, ravaged – some stayed in root cellars for 30 days. They were stripped of everything. Grim,” Lisa Renee says.
With two-thirds of the nation’s power plants out of commission, firewood is in short supply, as are generators. Financial aid and essential goods are much needed, but even more so is encouragement. “It’s easy to fall into a routine and feel like you’re alone,” Tim says.
So why the connection with Steamboat? “For me,” Julie says, “just living in Steamboat Springs, it’s such a philanthropic place, such a uniquely blessed town. Of all the places that we could help, Ukraine would be on the top of the list.”
“If God puts something on your heart, you’ve just got to step out,” Lisa Renee says. “A huge piece of our hearts is with the people of Kyiv. They give new meaning to the word ‘resilient.’”
The connection is much appreciated by the people of Kyiv. "Steamboat has done a tremendous job of realizing what are the actual needs. They have given us faith and trust,” Pastor Tim says.
Lisa Renee surmises that people in Steamboat are generous because they are well-traveled and globally minded. Traveling more than 5,000 miles to provide aid in the face of danger takes a special kind of person – the kind that embodies a genuine Steamboat spirit.