Property in Ukraine found and ready for next steps!

Aerial overview of property in Ukraine.

Monday the 26th of August we were greeted by air raid sirens just after 6am. We would later learn that it was part of the largest missile and drone barrage that has been leveled on Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022. The people have grown used to air raids in this part of the country and generally ignore them. Still, it’s an unsettling sound because of what it represents. Our friend Mykola happened to be walking his one-month-old son in the park at this time and heard a missile fly overhead enroute to its target somewhere nearby.

This would prove to be a pivotal day. We had long meetings with regional overseeing pastors – each about 2 hours long, one over coffee and one over dinner. Both of these meetings were with leaders who oversee about 130 churches. Again, we were very well received, and they overwhelmingly offered their approval and support and said that we were free to make connections and to be available to share the vision of Caminul Felix at these churches.

In between these visits we returned to a property we had previously visited in a village of 650 people called Ivanchany. Surrounded by farmland as far as the eye can see, the approach to the property begins with a glimpse of a small lake and then past some village homes and to a left turn on a dirt and gravel road.

Approaching the property and a glimpse of the road leading into the village of Ivanchany.

This property is owned by the village of Zbarazh and has been vacant for many years. Once used as a farm beginning in 1901 and owned by ethnic Polish, it was eventually seized when the Soviet’s took control and used as “state” farmland. 

Walking the property in the village of Ivanchany.

Following Ukrainian Independence, it became a working farm with 400 horses and other animals but eventually it was not viable and has sat vacant for 26 years or so. Because of this, the land is grown over, but you can see old growth trees which line the main road. It has two wells on the property, electrical is across the street and gas lines are very close.

Elementary school located in the village of Ivanchany.

The land is adjacent to a Soviet era elementary school, middle school and preschool, none of which are very large, but if a village were located on this property, the schools are within walking distance. High school students would travel 10 minutes into Zbarazh proper on a bus. Conveniently, a bus stop is located just below the elementary and middle schools.

Not many have been interested in this land, largely because it’s nine kilometers (5 1/2 miles) out of town and best used as farmland. However, it is broken up into various parcels not really big enough to farm. For Caminul Felix, this would work to our advantage. The village would like to sell this parcel and, as it turns out, land around it is also available, including connecting pieces as those owners are interested in moving on. Additionally, there are a few more parcels which will come available as well.

Overview of initial piece of land shown to us.

The initial price we’ve been quoted is between $2,000 and $2,500 per hectare (about $1000 or $1,250 an acre). We will be given a proper figure in the coming weeks. The potential for us is truly remarkable. The next and immediate step is to acquire the funds and submit the offer. We feel pretty confident about this as there has been no interest in the property due to its zoning – Industrial. This is quite an advantage to us because it is not zoned as farmland, allowing us to clear as we see fit — a HUGE benefit!

The next image gives a larger overview and the scope of opportunity that we will have.

Our opportunity in Ivanchany.

Bottom Line

We could initially purchase the proposed property owned by the Village of Zbarazh (dark orange) – 9.676 Hectares or 24 acres.

We could also initially purchase the two parcels owned by local residents (light orange) – 9.16 Hectares or just under 23 acres.

*From the start we could own a large parcel of 18.836 Hectares or 46 ½ acres. Other properties will become available and we could also determine if those might be wise to purchase.

This seems to be an opportunity to secure land in this war-torn nation and in so doing, establish a foothold in the region where we have found trusted partners and good friends.

We are excited! Would you be interested in partnering with us? Would you be willing to sponsor a part of this land and help us secure all the funding we need?

Sponsor a Hectare (2 and 1/2 acres): $2500

Sponsor an Acre: $1250

Sponsor a 1/2 Acre: $625

Sponsor a quarter Acre: $312

Sponsor whatever you would like!: Any amount will help.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me by phone or email >>> bill@billfunk.life or give me a call at +1 (707) 481-5211.

If you’d like to donate, click the button below, scroll down when you get to the page and add the amount you’d like to donate in the “Other Amount” section. You’ll also see that you can call and give other ways if you’d like.

*NOTE This page is hosted by our amazing partners in the United States: Assist International.

Thank you so much! Stay tuned for more…

Bill Funk

International Director of Caminul Felix Villages






































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A first-timer reflects on her visit to Caminul Felix Romania.