I ran across the dirt road, breathing in the fresh village air as I took in the scenery;

Horses were smacking on grass, cows were lazily flicking flies with their tails,

And little barefooted children laughed as they made mighty castles of mud.

I skipped quickly over the potholes and piles of green-brown cow dung,

Approaching ever closer to the old village house in which I was raised.

Upon seeing its rusty brown gate, I sped up the final dirt road hill.

My great aunt welcomed me with her beautiful toothless smile.

Tears of joy streamed down her sun-tanned wrinkled face;

With her tired arms, my soul she lovingly embraced.

I was at home in this poor Ukrainian village -

The village of Temnogaytsi.

In ten long years I had not seen it;

It looked like a completely different world.

Never before had I seen its villagers living so poor.

At the sight of the little children, my heart broke into pieces,

For they toiled in golden fields of wheat rather than play at recess.

I made up my mind to aid these villagers with all of my strength and energy.

I called for action as soon as I returned home, asking friends and family to donate.

I joyously sent packages of clothing and food, hoping a war against poverty to actuate.

Along with my brother, I organized a mission trip that would war on behalf of the children;

For the first time in their lives, they partook in a summer camp; faces beaming with absolute joy.

My battles are not yet over in the village Temnogaytsi; I have more missionary troops to deploy.