Time is flying by....

5.25.08

The fun just never stops! This weekend we had a women’s Bible study here at the house. I’m understanding more and more Russian and surprise people all the time when they say something or tell a story and I respond in Russian….one of the Ukrainian girls said after one such incident “Tby panymete (you understand?)?” LOL! It was great….but my response is still “ochen choo choo (very little)” :o) which is very true…I still feel lost most of the time, but God’s grace is so good.

The Ukrainian team and I went over to Jed and Renee’s for dinner after the women’s Bible study. Two of their team members flew out Sunday morning, so we had one last meal with them before we said goodbye. It has been a blessing to work along side of them and to have a connection with them from my time in Ternopil and from the students from their church who were at CCBCE this semester. I love how in Christ you so easily feel like family!

This morning we had church in the hall. I helped out in the nursery…so many kids, which is such a great problem to have. Afterwards we had lunch with Jonathan and Katie, and Jonathan’s sister and Dad who are visiting from the states. After that we headed to the cancer hospital where we shared with several people in the “dying” ward.

In the lower part of this building the church has provided to have it remodeled. When they first started ministering there, there were rats all over the floor because they had made a nest in one of the vents. Here these people are sick with cancer, receiving treatments that lower their immune systems with rats running all over the building. Sadly, the people that we met with today are not told they are dying and most of their “treatment” is not really treatment at all, but instead a means of making them feel as though they are receiving medical care that will help them get well. It is so sad. They kept talking about when they get better and we stood there knowing that in all probability they will not regain their health. Once woman in particular was very open to the gospel and told us that she would like to receive a Bible. We will go back on Tuesday to visit her. As we finished on the ward, the nurses told us that we could not be there and tried to kick us out. Thankfully one nurse wanted to talk to us and we had the opportunity to share with her. She seemed open and willing to listen. Our prayer is that as we go back in we can establish a good relationship with her and have more opportunity.

Being here has really opened my heart and eyes to the ministry of Jesus, to go to the sick and dying, to the elderly, orphan and poor….in these faces I see Jesus, in these hands and hearts I can hear Him ask me if I am willing to serve Him, to love Him, to give everything of myself away for His sake! It is an overwhelming calling. And even with it being so clearly spoken to my heart, I know that I may try to, but in and of myself it is impossible…even in the giving I need Him!




5.28.08

I’m not sure how to summarize the last few days….
As I did my devos this morning I was hit with an intense feeling of being homesick…I miss my family and am looking forward to spending some quality time with them. Only two and a half weeks before I am once again in the states. But even in the looking forward to going home, my prayer today was that the Lord would help me remaine focused on what He has called me to do in the here and now. Satan wants us to get caught up in the past or to strain towards what is in the future, but God says “Today, if you hear my voice…”

It has been difficult and a bit of a struggle being here….more so than I thought. So many opportunities, so much need…and yet I feel so held back by my inability to communicate effectively! To have to rely on others for everything can be so hard….I’m learning humility. I am realizing how intimidated I can be at times, and that in that feeling is a self-centeredness for it often holds me back from doing everything that God places before me to do…I get caught up in being so far from my comfort zone. It is a good stretching and a time of learning. Before I came, I asked God to not let me be complacent, to not let me rely on my previous experiences in short term trips and outreaches, but to make this a time of growth. I sometimes forget what I ask for and then complain when I get it! But God is so faithful to bring me what I need in those times….to remind me of who He is and to whom I belong. “I know, O Lord, that your decisions are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your law is my delight.” (Psalm 119:75-77).

In all of this God is teaching me to ask for boldness, and to step outside of my comfort zone and give everything I have. It has had me seeking to understand what are the gifts that He has given me to use on the field…what are the things that He has put in my heart that are undeniable. One thing I have realized is how much my heart hurts as I interact with people who are unloved and deemed unacceptable by society’s standards.

As we walked though the city last night after English club, one of my friends from the Ukrainian team, Tanya and I had noticed two homeless ladies sitting on the side of the road. They were filthy, surrounded by their bags of empty plastic bottles and looked as though they had been using alcohol as a means of trying to escape their reality. I noticed them, but didn’t heed the tug on my heart to talk to them (once again not stepping out in boldness), but Tanya did. As we walked to the corner, she turned to me and said “Do you want to go talk to those women?” I love her and her sensitivity to the Spirit. We went back and tried to talk to them, but the one woman became very irate and kept yelling at us to leave them alone. We tired some more, but she became so upset that we walked away. As we were walking away a man approached us to ask where we were from and as he was talking to us, the irate woman got up and left, leaving the other women there starring at us. We went back to her. She was so precious, probably in her late 60’s early 70’s and seemed starved for love and attention. We started talking to her, but all she could do was look at us with these wide pleading eyes and toothless grin. My heart broke. We began to pray for her, and slowly her arms came around us…she just wanted to be loved. As we finished praying, there were tears in her eyes and tears streaming from mine. We couldn’t help but hug her and kiss her, knowing that it has probably been a while since anyone ever paid her positive attention. She wasn’t able to communicate with us well, but we gave her a tract and told her how much Jesus loves her (one phrase that I can speak in Russian with clarity :o). Please pray that God would work in her heart and that He would meet with her in a special way.

“He will rescue the poor when they cry out to Him; He will help the oppressed who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy and He will rescue them….for their lives are precious to Him.”
Psalm 72:12-14



5.29.08



God is so good to give me His peace and His strength! My heart is more at peace today as He has been speaking to me and giving me His overflowing grace! Thank you for your prayers! He is my faithful shephard who desires to take care of me and protect me (that was for Mr. Gabe :o).