Karen Rase | Greene County News

Scott Stemple translates the conversation of Lena Losev, a guess speaker from western Ukraine, during her visit to the Coffee Hub Tuesday. Stemple translated using a mixture of Polish and Ukraine. Losev asked for donations for her Campus Crusade work on behalf of the Ukrainian people.

XENIA —A long-standing member and goodwill ambassador of Campus Crusade Ministries visited the Coffee Hub earlier this week to see old friends and talk about the highs and lows of living in western Ukraine. Lena Losev, 55, is nearing the end of her six-week visit to America and will be journeying back to Lviv, where her husband, Volodia, and three children await her.

During her visit, Losev spoke of the daily struggles of the Ukrainian people and their need for monetary donations and financial support. Coffee Hub owner Cynthia Stemple and her husband, Scott, met Losev and her husband while doing ministry work in the Ukraine. Losev and her family became Christians and began doing ministry work alongside the Stemples.

Over a 30-year period, other Americans befriended the Losev family who began to work with married couples in their homes and churches.

“Lena came alone on this trip as men under 60 cannot leave the country,” said Stemple, who has hosted Losev in her home the past several weeks. “Back in Lviv, Lena helps teachers cope with their own trauma while ministering with Campus Crusade volunteers.”

Losev, who attained a visa for this initial trip to the U.S., hopes to return soon and join the lecture circuit — raising funds for Campus Crusade. To donate to Campus Crusade and its ministry, visit give.cru.org/2392468. There is also a QR code on the website which can be utilized quickly. For more information, contact Stemple at 937-347-7972.

Reach Karen Rase at 937-502-4534.