"OUR UKRAINIAN FAMILY"
Last month was my 5th month on the race; it was also my 1st month as Team Anew’s leader. Can anyone say nerve wrecking? Of course leadership is something “cool” I guess, right?
Wrong.
I don’t mean this in a bad way at all; it’s been an absolute joy to lead my team. My teammates are absolutely amazing, so encouraging and so willing to learn and go to places we have never gone before. However, like most of you may know, with greater influence comes greater responsibility and “soul work” as Betsy, our squad coach, would say. At least this was true for myself.
A new team, a new land and no clue as to what was ahead of us, we packed our bags and left Romania behind, boarding a train to Moldova and then unto Odessa-Ukraine, finally arriving at our last stop and final destination: Saky, Ukraine. We completed a total of about 27+hrs of travel by train.
This month we stayed with a host family, the Laz’ko family. They consisted of 10 kids (2 girls and the rest guys) add 6 crazy world racers and you have our family/accommodations for the month! Oh yeah, forgot to mention, we had 1 bathroom to share. To that naked eye this may have been the most inconvenient living situation, but somehow it worked, all month.
Ukraine was nothing like I expected to be, I actually had no expectations as to what this country would look like, or what the people may be like. I was in for a treat, I will tell you that much.
We worked with a church, helping with VBS programs at different villages throughout the Crimea region, including a public school English program. We also did some de-weeding, worship, visiting and praying at hospices and sanatoriums, which are like glorified spas for disabled people that literally come from all over the world, seeking pretty much a miracle!
This month I learned so much about trusting God’s voice over the many other lying voices I usually listen to. How in the midst of hopelessness I truly carry a beam of light inside of me that could set a forest on fire. You just have to trust what you are hearing! Trust His voice.
It’s crazy how comparison, performance, people-pleasing and approval addiction can take such root in your heart, without knowing where it all began.
These things come up on a daily basis, not only here on the Race, but wherever you are, in every day life as well. If you start paying attention you’ll see how from an early age we have been taught to perform well in order to get rewarded, and for every mistake made we get punished or become cast offs. It seems to always be about comparing and then outdoing of whoever your “opponent” is.
The lord was bringing all these “things” to the surface once again, things I thought were dealt with. He did it because he wanted to remind me of how much I still needed to know whom I belonged to. He wanted to remind me again of my son ship, of my worth without works. He reminded me of a love that is poured out daily over EVERYONE, not just the GOOD ones. He doesn’t withhold his love based on how much I did that day, or how much I didn’t do, How good or bad I was, He simply does, He simply loves, because He can, because he doesn’t know how to UN-LOVE!
Ukraine was a sign of that; we were here to love regardless of people’s personal beliefs, or status in society, or circumstances.
We taught one of our English classes at a local library, there I met a Ukrainian local, who I now like to call friend. His American name was Alex, but his real name is Oleg. (I still keep in touch with him through email) Anyways! He told me, “It’s a pity church and God have turned into a business here. The young people don’t want to go anymore, cause it’s a place where you are judged. It’s all about rules, right and wrong. I like what you guys are doing and who you are, because you are more about relationship and love! Your God seems real, I wish that was true here in Saky.”
What an eye opening conversation that was, there is a world out there desperate for some “TRUE LOVE”. The kind that breaks chains, transforms the heart of rock and tears down walls. Yet sometimes we get distracted with our circumstances and feelings that most of the times are just pitiful arrows thrown our way by the deceiver himself.
The family that hosted us for the month of May was a true example of what it means to be a light in the darkest of places. They don’t expect a big reward, they do because they love, they go because they are obedient, and they endure because in Him, all things are possible.
We had one of the most epic good byes anyone could ever dream off, with GOODBYE signs, and a spontaneous goodbye song in the middle of the train station. Our hearts and prayers were left with a city that left us completely CHANGED.
Ukraine wasn’t a place where I expected to fall in love again, or to see His presence at work. I didn’t know what to expect from a Nation currently in transition, a place where communism had left a huge, hopeless gap. But then again, I am reminded that my God, our God can make beautiful things out of dust, so why not Ukraine? Why can’t this be the Nation that starts a worldwide revival! They are too, Sons and Daughters, like you and I
I believe in you!
With love,
Daniel Castillo.
PS: I am still in need of $2,955 to be fully funded and continue on this journey, so if you feel led, all donations and support are appreciated! Thanks for reading.
