Rachael has started a ministry with street children in Eastern Russia called
Living Hope. It all started when she was getting money from an ATM in Russia
and when she went to put the money in her pocket; there was a hand in her
pocket. When she turned to deal with this person she looked into the “big,
empty eyes” and dirty face of a little boy. It was the hand of a small boy who
was hungry and living on the street. Rather than getting angry, Rachael was
filled with compassion for him and bought him some food. The next day she
walked the streets handing out sandwiches to hungry looking children on the
streets. “And that’s how it all
started,” says Rachael. “Within
one month, she was meeting and feeding up to thirty children three times a
week.” Her story touches my heart and I am encouraged to know there are people
like Rachael who react to the tugs on their heart and as a result, change
lives.
I find that I can relate to Rachael as she says she had
little or no intention of spending this much time in ministry. I, myself, had
no idea God was going to use me to touch the lives of people overseas. I had
never really known a real-life missionary growing up and I had somehow gotten
the idea in my head that missionaries were “super holy” people and that God
looked down from heaven and when he saw one of these “super holy” people He
said, “You! You will be my missionary!” In my mind it was not a choice that
anyone could make for himself or herself. Knowing I was imperfect I never
thought God would choose me to represent Him around the world. Obviously, my
theology on the matter was false; and here I am on the mission field for my
third year. To be completely honest, I’m not sure what next year will hold, God
has not revealed it to me yet. All I know is that this year is preparing me for
what God has called me to next and I am trusting, with His peace in my heart,
that He knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me,
plans to give me a hope and a future. (Promised by God in Jeremiah 29:11). And
that is enough.
To find out more about Rachael Hughes’ Living Hope ministry
go to: www.livinghope.org.nz or www.youtube.com/livinghopevlad
