KIEV, Ukraine — More than numbers or statistics, growth of the Church among young single adults in Ukraine can be measured in the exponential

Courtesy CES missionaries

Gospel joy radiates in the countenances of Anya Semenyuk, top, Masha Semenyuk and Larisa Bondareva, posed in front of the institute building.

Young single adults in Ukraine are typically well educated, said Elder Mark Baer, who is serving as a missionary with his wife, Jane. "All speak at least two languages; many speak three and four languages. There are 550 LDS young single adults in the Kiev area. They are faithful and very knowledgeable about the scriptures and doctrine. They strive to keep the commandments.

"Many have joined without family, but many have brought a sister or brother into the Church. About 60 are returned missionaries, with about 30 now serving. They love their beautiful country and are grateful for the truths and hope the gospel brings."

During the summer, the young single adults have had several picnics with about 50 attending. They meet at a footbridge and cross over the large, beautiful Dnieper River to an island where they eat, play games and fellowship converts.

During the year they sponsor firesides every two weeks, activities on Saturday night, and home evening every Monday. Four institute classes are offered during the school year with about 150 students attending each week. Approximately 80 percent attend colleges or universities.

Rendering service is an integral part of their activities, such as providing educational games, books, school supplies, craft items, as well as dolls, balls and other toys to orphanages.

Courtesy CES missionaries

Young single adults assist humanitarian missionary Jeri Brown with this literacy effort to orphanage.

In April, about 25 young single adults boarded a bus to visit an orphanage outside Kiev near a village called Sezenkiv.

Here they presented a hilarious puppet show encouraging the children to avoid smoking and drinking. The children loved the show and were given CTR rings. After playing games in the play yard outside, the youth built a pyramid with their young single adult leaders.

As the bus pulled away from the orphanage that afternoon, the children ran alongside waving and dodging between buildings to keep up with the bus until it turned onto the highway, all the while, yelling to ask when they would return.

Since the creation last May of the first stake in the former Soviet Bloc, the young single adults recognize this moment as a select time in their history. They have been eager to hear Alexsii Ivanenko, the first stake patriarch, tell of his experiences as a poor child living in the country and how he grew to become an engineer designing large aircraft for Ukraine. They hear his testimony that has matured over the past years as a sealer in the Freiberg Germany Temple and grow in their desires to attend the temple.

Among those attending a recent fireside with Brother Ivanenko was 19-year-old Pasha Yakovitz who has been called to serve a mission in Germany.

Seated nearby were the two most recent young adult converts, Artur Touri from Albania and Yban Cheernocov from Russia. Following the fireside, generally oblivious to the commotion around them, they sat together studying their notes.

Oxsana Mykolaevna Saranavska was the first missionary set apart by Vladimir Kanchenko, the first president of the Kiev (Kyiv) Ukraine Stake. She was also the first to receive a patriarchal blessing from Brother Ivanenko. Her enthusiasm for the gospel was manifest in her eagerness to attend institute classes, including Old Testament class on Tuesdays, celestial marriage class on Thursdays and missionary preparation class on Fridays. She continues to write to her friend who is serving a mission in Sacramento, Calif., son of a member of the bishopric.

Often the only members of the Church in their families, these young single adults find strength and joy in the association of one another. They manage their affairs of school and home to meet their obligations in the Church. They are part of a growing CES effort in Ukraine. JOY

For Lena Schicht, she anticipates her baptism this month with great excitement. After she had studied the gospel with missionaries for four years, her parents denied her permission to join the Church, asking her to wait until her 18th birthday. She prayed during youth conference last summer that her family would gain a more kindly disposition toward the Church. Her baptism is set for Sept. 4, her 18th birthday. Her younger brother now attends and awaits his 18th birthday to join.

Maryna Borysjyk was studying one evening when she felt to close her books and go looking for a church. She rode the Metro and then went for a walk, ending up at the steps of the institute. She asked two people who were entering the building, Mosche and Anya, what church met there. They answered her questions and invited her to attend. She was taught by the missionaries and baptized.

Just as their numbers are growing, said Brother Baer, so is their joy in the gospel and in each other.

"Faith and obedience seem to be the hallmarks of these youth," he continued, "many of whom joined as the only members of their families."

Three young single adults present an entertaining skit to encourage the Ukrainian youth in this village orphanage to abstain from smoking and drinking. Rendering such service is an major aspect of young single adults near Kiev.

Photo by Anna Chigir

Preparing hymns for musical performances are part of an active CES program.

Photo by Anna Chigir

Socials, such as this picnic and service project on an island in the Dnieper River.