Well really I never left, I was experiencing technical difficulties since last August.
So I find myself almost 9 months after my last blog trying to sum up what has been happening here. My apologies I will do my best to keep up with this blog as I love to write I am more than happy to share my thoughts and experiences with you .
I have almost been here a full year now and quite honestly there were days, even weeks where I did not think I would make it this long. Clinging to God's word, knowing the desire and passion to work with orphans has been on my heart for many years has given me the strength to press on each and every day.
I realize I am not a patient person and I would like everything that comes to mind to happen now. In life as you know things take time, it is not our timing, but God's timing as He is always in control.
A large lesson I am being taught is that it is okay to be still. It is in the stillness that we have an abundant opportunity to reflect upon the Lord and His word. Although it is difficult for me to just "be" that is when I am able to focus my eyes and mind on the Lord without distractions. Often I sit and plan my day what do I need to do or what should I be doing? I get so caught up in being busy I take my eyes off the Lord.
Psalm 27: 14 "wait for the Lord; be courageous and let your heart be strong."
In the stillness of this day may we walk with our Lord and know He is our strength, may we all embrace the stillness of each day!
April 25, 2009
August 5, 2008
Praises :)
I think I mentioned in my email newsletter a girl by the name of Nadia? Nadia came to the youth outreach during our June VBS to play some sports. She just loves to play softball, a girl after my own heart. Anyway Nadia is 15 and tested to attend college this fall in Kiev, she was not a believer when she attended the youth outreach in June. Well God is smiling as Nadia has accepted His Son Jesus into her heart! She made several friends at the church and we all have stayed in touch with her. Inna and Kevin Bohn actually invited Nadia to come to camp with them and Nadia agreed, here is how Inna tells the story of Nadia's salvation.
We took her to camp with us and were praying for an opportunity to talk with her about Christ. Yet, she came up to me on the third day of the project and announced that she had received Christ. I asked her when and how it happened. I was quite surprised to learn that it happened on the train on the way to the project. She was going together with two Christian girls from Kiev university campus, and they asked her if she was a Christian. They shared Four Spiritual Laws with her and she prayed to receive Christ into her heart. It was quite amazing to see Nadia transform and grow right before our eyes.
After my lecture on fear Nadia confessed to me that there were some things in her life she was fearful to try because of what others might think about her. One of them was singing in front of other people. She decided to make a step of faith and sing a song with a couple of other students at the evening meeting. After that she kept singing and performing in skits at our meetings. Another fear she had was speaking to strangers. Interesting enough, Nadia shared her new faith during the evangelistic outreaches with more people than anyone else at the project.
There was a special prize for a student who would prove to be the most passionate evangelist – a pair of evangelist's shoes, and Nadia got the prize! The shoes were too big for her though and she gave them to an African guy. What amazed me even more was the fact that the second day (three days after she became a Christian herself) I saw her sharing the Gospel on her own with two young men at the beach, although she was supposed to be paired up with a more mature Christian since it was her first experience (see the picture). We were so happy to watch Nadia learn to spend her quiet time with the Lord, sing and pray to Him, share her faith and make new Christian friends with other students.
Nadia attend church this past Sunday and brought her mother with her, she will also join in a Bible study for girls her age. To God be the Glory!
August 2, 2008
running water what a blessing!
July was a very busy month for me. One team came in from America as another one left. I was asked to help with a camp outside Odessa in a village near the Black Sea, I had a friend coming to visit and stay with me for a week and my tourist visa was getting ready to expire. What's a girl to do.
Camping near the Black Sea was an absolute adventure I will never forget. A group of us traveled to the village by van from Kiev preparing to conduct a Vacation Bible School there, no problem. The plan was to host the VBS and then enjoy a bit of rest at the beach so we would camp for 12 days total.
We arrived at the camp site in the dark, again no problem we will shine the headlights so we can set up the tents right. Camping Ukrainian style - imagine weeds about two feet high we were told to begin packing them down, I am thinking are they for real why not locate an area that has already been cleared, seems logical to me? Nope it was no joke, so I begin packing down the weeds and setting up the tents. I really have camped before just never like this! This was the true down and dirty camping. We did not have a cleared camp site, there wasn't any running water to speak of except the sea, a toilet do we really need one, and shower well that is what the sea is for. I was in for a life changing experience and I knew it as soon as we arrived at the sea.
By day two I was ready to find the bus station or train station and call it quits. I was near the beautiful Black Sea with about 15 Ukrainian people and could not communicate for 12 days this would be a record for me. About two days into camping I had a mild break down and a girl named Ania began speaking in English to me! Thank you Lord! Ania was such a blessing, I was happy she was there. Needless to say I stayed at the camp for 10 days and took my first train ride back to Kiev Monday July 21. A city that is about an 8 hour drive by van took 14 hours by train.
The train is a unique way to travel as well. We departed Odessa at about 7 PM so we would have to sleep on the train. Getting on the train and walking to our seats was actually exciting. The train has open compartments with four beds in each section. While you are sleeping it is basically a slumber party on the train as you can see everybody as they sleep. I slept fairly well on the train, but I would not choose to travel by train if I had an option. I always thought a train would be faster than a car, but it is not, it actually takes longer. We arrived in Kiev the next morning about 9 AM on July 22.
I took the metro back to my apartment. I had to make one stop before I went home. I stopped at a local shop to purchase a razor, I was looking forward to getting home taking a nice long bath or shower and shaving my legs!! That is exactly what I did and I felt like a new women.
I had one day before my house guests would arrive so I had to get a few groceries items. July 23 at about noon I met my friends at the train station, this turned out to be a day of rest for all of us, as we were all so tired. Two days later July 26 I would depart and go to Budapest Hungary which was two fold: I had to renew my tourist visa and I was able to visit with another friend there. What a blessing it was to be able to do that.
I am back in Kiev now, my friends are all gone and I am preparing for a medical clinic in September. This past Thursday at the office I received communication that our bike outreach scheduled for August 10 has been cancelled. The region in Ukraine has been terribly damaged by flooding. Our church is trying to put together a team to go help with the relief efforts. As of right now you cannot get a vehicle to the villages, everything is being taken in and out by helicopter.
I am so thankful for running water and a toilet. It is the little things in life that make me happy. Through all of this I do feel as if I am able to relate better to the children living in the streets and the homeless population. The Lord is good and is always near.
Camping near the Black Sea was an absolute adventure I will never forget. A group of us traveled to the village by van from Kiev preparing to conduct a Vacation Bible School there, no problem. The plan was to host the VBS and then enjoy a bit of rest at the beach so we would camp for 12 days total.
We arrived at the camp site in the dark, again no problem we will shine the headlights so we can set up the tents right. Camping Ukrainian style - imagine weeds about two feet high we were told to begin packing them down, I am thinking are they for real why not locate an area that has already been cleared, seems logical to me? Nope it was no joke, so I begin packing down the weeds and setting up the tents. I really have camped before just never like this! This was the true down and dirty camping. We did not have a cleared camp site, there wasn't any running water to speak of except the sea, a toilet do we really need one, and shower well that is what the sea is for. I was in for a life changing experience and I knew it as soon as we arrived at the sea.
By day two I was ready to find the bus station or train station and call it quits. I was near the beautiful Black Sea with about 15 Ukrainian people and could not communicate for 12 days this would be a record for me. About two days into camping I had a mild break down and a girl named Ania began speaking in English to me! Thank you Lord! Ania was such a blessing, I was happy she was there. Needless to say I stayed at the camp for 10 days and took my first train ride back to Kiev Monday July 21. A city that is about an 8 hour drive by van took 14 hours by train.
The train is a unique way to travel as well. We departed Odessa at about 7 PM so we would have to sleep on the train. Getting on the train and walking to our seats was actually exciting. The train has open compartments with four beds in each section. While you are sleeping it is basically a slumber party on the train as you can see everybody as they sleep. I slept fairly well on the train, but I would not choose to travel by train if I had an option. I always thought a train would be faster than a car, but it is not, it actually takes longer. We arrived in Kiev the next morning about 9 AM on July 22.
I took the metro back to my apartment. I had to make one stop before I went home. I stopped at a local shop to purchase a razor, I was looking forward to getting home taking a nice long bath or shower and shaving my legs!! That is exactly what I did and I felt like a new women.
I had one day before my house guests would arrive so I had to get a few groceries items. July 23 at about noon I met my friends at the train station, this turned out to be a day of rest for all of us, as we were all so tired. Two days later July 26 I would depart and go to Budapest Hungary which was two fold: I had to renew my tourist visa and I was able to visit with another friend there. What a blessing it was to be able to do that.
I am back in Kiev now, my friends are all gone and I am preparing for a medical clinic in September. This past Thursday at the office I received communication that our bike outreach scheduled for August 10 has been cancelled. The region in Ukraine has been terribly damaged by flooding. Our church is trying to put together a team to go help with the relief efforts. As of right now you cannot get a vehicle to the villages, everything is being taken in and out by helicopter.
I am so thankful for running water and a toilet. It is the little things in life that make me happy. Through all of this I do feel as if I am able to relate better to the children living in the streets and the homeless population. The Lord is good and is always near.
July 4, 2008
Good Times!
Today I arrived at the train station to greet the American team and take them to the airport as they are celebrating Independence Day by flying back to the United States.
I will miss them, it has been great having them in Ukraine. VBS ended one week ago today, it seems like it was ages ago. I learned a valuable lesson again, apparently God needs to tell me things a few times before they actually sink in :)
Proverbs 19:21 "many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." (thank you Kendra)
This scripture was sent to me the first day of VBS and I reminded myself daily of it. As I planned for the camp, organizing all the details and bringing two teams together that did not speak the same language I realized only God could pull this off. I could plan all I wanted to, but when it came down to implementing the program with the children the plans went out the window. I need to trust God and have faith that His plans will prevail regardless of the structure I have in place. When working in teams you have to be flexible without a doubt, there are so many different personalities involved that only God can calm the storm. We all prayed together and asked the Lord to use us for His plans and His will after all that is what he asks of us isn't it? The results were that children heard the Gospel and came to know Christ which is exactly what the Lord asks of us as His disciples.
I will miss them, it has been great having them in Ukraine. VBS ended one week ago today, it seems like it was ages ago. I learned a valuable lesson again, apparently God needs to tell me things a few times before they actually sink in :)
Proverbs 19:21 "many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." (thank you Kendra)
This scripture was sent to me the first day of VBS and I reminded myself daily of it. As I planned for the camp, organizing all the details and bringing two teams together that did not speak the same language I realized only God could pull this off. I could plan all I wanted to, but when it came down to implementing the program with the children the plans went out the window. I need to trust God and have faith that His plans will prevail regardless of the structure I have in place. When working in teams you have to be flexible without a doubt, there are so many different personalities involved that only God can calm the storm. We all prayed together and asked the Lord to use us for His plans and His will after all that is what he asks of us isn't it? The results were that children heard the Gospel and came to know Christ which is exactly what the Lord asks of us as His disciples.
June 15, 2008
Thoughts for today...
As I sit in my office on a Sunday morning I am missing my church, fellowship, music etc... it has been about seven weeks since I have been to a church service in English. Although I spend time with God daily, I am missing the relationships and fellowship with other believers. I am with believers here and I can sense their hearts, however my conversations are limited.
What do my actions say about me? Am I living by the Spirit, am I accomplishing His will, am I being a good and faithful servant? I pray for my actions to speak words lined with selfless love, encouragement and sincerity each day. Since I am limited in my communication here, I speak through my actions and I pray they resemble that of my savior Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
What are my heart’s desires? What is passion fueled by? A few thoughts on that, perhaps it is fueled by change, pain, joy, opportunity, loss of comforts,love, selflessness, faith, trust, discipline, responsibility, obligation, obedience, accountability, respect, giving, caring, genuine, dedication, enjoyment, I do not know but I will keep searching.
What do your actions say about you? What are you communicating?
What do my actions say about me? Am I living by the Spirit, am I accomplishing His will, am I being a good and faithful servant? I pray for my actions to speak words lined with selfless love, encouragement and sincerity each day. Since I am limited in my communication here, I speak through my actions and I pray they resemble that of my savior Jesus Christ.
Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
What are my heart’s desires? What is passion fueled by? A few thoughts on that, perhaps it is fueled by change, pain, joy, opportunity, loss of comforts,love, selflessness, faith, trust, discipline, responsibility, obligation, obedience, accountability, respect, giving, caring, genuine, dedication, enjoyment, I do not know but I will keep searching.
What do your actions say about you? What are you communicating?
June 8, 2008
Russian Language Classes!
This week I started language school on Thursday. It was a milestone week for me as I took the marschutka, metro, changed metros too and walked to the school completely by myself. Two days in a row and I did not get lost, Friday I even took the marschutka back to Bucha alone. I even had to tell the driver where to stop! WOW this is a big step for me.
Attending language school, that is another story for me; I signed up for the intensive class. My morning of public transportation went well I even arrived early and anybody who knows me well knows I am generally a bit late, but not today. So I arrived at the school twenty minutes early, plenty of time, there is a gentleman there speaking English so naturally I slip into my social mode since I can speak and another person will understand me. We started with small talk, what class are you taking, where are you from, what are you doing in Ukraine… that was the magic question, no I did not witness to him, but God was certainly present. I asked him what his name was he said Tyler, I told him my name and said I was here as a missionary working with youth and orphans. Well guess what - Tyler is Christian teaching English at the language school, attending an English speaking church and working with the street kids trying to rescue them and set up an orphanage for them so they might have a place to live. God is so clever; really, I did not even want to go to class I was so tired, a serious dislike of public transportation and all, what a blessing to arrive at the school and encounter yet another divine appointment.
Class was another story; it began with the teacher Leika speaking entirely in Russian after about an hour of that I was frustrated as I did not feel as if I was learning a thing. Jeff the other student agreed, we politely spoke with Leika letting her know we realize we signed up for an intensive class, but it is difficult for us to learn when we are not at all familiar with what you are saying, would you mind for today at least explaining to us what you are saying in Russian? She was extremely receptive to us; she had just moved back to Kiev two days earlier from Canada and was happy to speak in Russian and English.
My second day of language class, I woke up very tired, not enough sleep the entire week and I was not feeling well, but I knew it was Friday and if I could just make it through one more day I would have a full day to relax and rest up for the next week. So I got ready for class, public transportation all over again, it takes almost an hour and a half to get to school and often I will have to stand on the marschutka or the metro due to the number of people traveling so you can imagine how it might be a bit draining on any given day. Needless to say I made it to school, I even arrived thirty minutes early today, so I decided take a walk and see what was around the school. I walked one block away from the school, I cannot tell what direction, but it was not far at all. I stumbled upon a beautiful park, benches, flowers, a fountain, it was gorgeous, and I was so excited to find such a place amongst so many buildings and downtown area. The park is a perfect place to sit, read, take pictures, observe people, whatever, it is a great new discovery and I was happy to stumble upon it. I walked into class only to find my teacher was sick along with the other student; I wished I too was home in bed at that moment. What did I get up and out of bed for this morning feeling the way I did? I had a substitute teacher, Liliya and she will speak in Russian only and for three hours I will have a one on one session with her. I was not really up for this, I wasn’t feeling well, I was tired; I actually started to tear up when I did not understand her. She kept going, I explained I want to learn, but it is difficult when I do not understand. We got over that hump and it was an excellent class I learned so much from her. It was such a blessing to have a one on one lesson by the end of class we were laughing and joking with each other!
June 2, 2008
The Devil Prowls!
Today is June 2, 2008 the first day of our medical missions outreach clinic. We have one optical doctor here for eye exams for the children and there are many children to see.
The devil is on the prowl today as I could sense as soon as I woke up this morning. I rolled over to look at the clock 6:02 AM, Lord could I just stay in bed a bit longer? I know we chat in the mornings but today would you mind if I cut or chat short or postponed it until evening time? I was at the church the night before getting ready for the clinic and I am tired. I did stay in bed until 6:45 AM, got up put on a pot of coffee and headed to the shower in hopes of the water waking me up a bit. At 7:00 AM I am finished in the bathroom I went into the kitchen fixed a cup of coffee and headed to my room to finish getting ready for the day. Before I knew it, it was 7:20 AM, I ride was supposed to arrive by 7:30 AM so I rushed to the kitchen, purse, jacket and bag in hand ready to go. I thought I better eat something since I am not sure what will happen with the clinic, I may not have a bite to eat until I return home for the night? Needless to say the van did not arrive until after 8:00 AM to pick us up, the clinic starts at 9:00 AM and we are picking up the doctor on the way to the church, traffic, exam equipment, two stops on the way we will be fortunate to make it to the church by 9:00 AM!
We did exactly that! It was 9:00 AM at the church and nothing had been done yet, no tables set up, no people have shown up for appointments yet, the exam room was not ready etc…. you could cut the tension with a knife. I cannot speak the language, but I can sense things. We arrived at the church and we are trying to get things done only to find many people standing around doing NOTHING, hanging around in my office chatting where all the stuff is for the day. Get ‘er done is what I wanted to say, but would anybody understand me- um let me think for a minute – NO!
Our first appointment showed up at about 9:45 AM, I guess that is a part of the culture? I am not quite sure; nobody really seemed surprised by that so I suppose it is normal? Our first appointment arrived, we were expecting three children ages 6 and up, instead we got a grandmother and one child age 5, no problem we will roll with it. Okay now where is Natasha? She is doing all the registration as she is the one who spoke with every individual on the phone, she is cannot be found? No problem the doctor was still not ready to see anybody so it was actually a blessing they were late for their appointment.
So this is the way the day had started! It is now 11:00 AM here and the day is underway. We will be behind, but the joy of the Lord will pull us through. Please pray for the medical outreach this week as it will continue today through Wednesday.
The devil is on the prowl today as I could sense as soon as I woke up this morning. I rolled over to look at the clock 6:02 AM, Lord could I just stay in bed a bit longer? I know we chat in the mornings but today would you mind if I cut or chat short or postponed it until evening time? I was at the church the night before getting ready for the clinic and I am tired. I did stay in bed until 6:45 AM, got up put on a pot of coffee and headed to the shower in hopes of the water waking me up a bit. At 7:00 AM I am finished in the bathroom I went into the kitchen fixed a cup of coffee and headed to my room to finish getting ready for the day. Before I knew it, it was 7:20 AM, I ride was supposed to arrive by 7:30 AM so I rushed to the kitchen, purse, jacket and bag in hand ready to go. I thought I better eat something since I am not sure what will happen with the clinic, I may not have a bite to eat until I return home for the night? Needless to say the van did not arrive until after 8:00 AM to pick us up, the clinic starts at 9:00 AM and we are picking up the doctor on the way to the church, traffic, exam equipment, two stops on the way we will be fortunate to make it to the church by 9:00 AM!
We did exactly that! It was 9:00 AM at the church and nothing had been done yet, no tables set up, no people have shown up for appointments yet, the exam room was not ready etc…. you could cut the tension with a knife. I cannot speak the language, but I can sense things. We arrived at the church and we are trying to get things done only to find many people standing around doing NOTHING, hanging around in my office chatting where all the stuff is for the day. Get ‘er done is what I wanted to say, but would anybody understand me- um let me think for a minute – NO!
Our first appointment showed up at about 9:45 AM, I guess that is a part of the culture? I am not quite sure; nobody really seemed surprised by that so I suppose it is normal? Our first appointment arrived, we were expecting three children ages 6 and up, instead we got a grandmother and one child age 5, no problem we will roll with it. Okay now where is Natasha? She is doing all the registration as she is the one who spoke with every individual on the phone, she is cannot be found? No problem the doctor was still not ready to see anybody so it was actually a blessing they were late for their appointment.
So this is the way the day had started! It is now 11:00 AM here and the day is underway. We will be behind, but the joy of the Lord will pull us through. Please pray for the medical outreach this week as it will continue today through Wednesday.
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