Life on the dead branches.

Life On The Dry Branches

Firstly I have sad news about my team and some changes.
  Our team mate Ryan went back home to America.
He had been ill on and off for 2 months and while in Ukraine was practically in bed for most of it. He decided he needed to go home and also felt that God has been calling him home to run his race their. He felt this was his time to go and that God has specific things for him to do back home.  I am not going to lie or sugar coat how it effected us. Honestly – it broke us! We were devastated; numb, tired, angry, confused and upset! Everyone was in a different process and it was a very hard time, but for myself- as much as I loved ryan and badly wanted him to stay, I was also at peace! That doesn’t mean I wasn’t sad to see him go and deep down I wish he was still here. But I trust God more than myself and my team and I believe that if God was wanting him home, then that’s the best place for him to be!  There are some things we might never ever get or understand in life but thats where we must trust in God! 

So Ryan has gone, which left us with 5 girls and Mark.  This left us in an awkward situation as its not fair for Mark to be the only guy on a team with all girls.  We knew changes were coming but we didn’t know when.  This put our team in a tense state of not knowing where we stood and lets just say emotions have been high!  I have been staying positive and steady because I trust God 100%!  He has a plan because He has never let us down yet!  For others it has been a very hard and rocky time. So we were told the new team change yesterday. Mark is now leaving to be in Hugh’s team and we have Robin coming to join us girls-( Robin was one of my original team mates so I am excited to be with her again). This will be my first time on an all girl team- which will be very interesting!! But I am so excited – I believe its going to be a powerful time! This change will take place in 5 days time when we go to Africa!! 

If you had read my last blog you will be well aware that in Ukraine we have drank many cups of tea and been in the company of many different people. It is our 4th last day in Ukraine and we had been invited to the pastors house for tea. We were all very tired. Emily was ill and Mark  had plans to be at Dimas for the night, so it left just me and the other 3 girls  going to the pastors house. Honestly we were tired and worn out. Physically and emotionally! Truth be told, we wanted to go to bed- but we kept on going and went to the pastors house. Man am I so glad that we did :) 

Us and Nadia

Us and Tanya

We arrived and it was just the pastors wife and daughter that was there- her name is Nadia and her daughter is Tanya. She had set out many yummy treats, even ice-cream +crepes, and of course tea 🙂 I loved my time there and for me personally I felt at home- Nadia reminded me of my very own mum back home and it was a real comfort to be in her home being fed tea and cake and have her speak life in to us.

Tea at Nadias

We all sat around the table and enjoying the treats then Nadia started to ask us all about our life – we all shared different things- testimonies, dreams, race moments and the struggles we were in right at this moment.  She could see how tired and worn out we were. She started to speak life into us. A lot of things that we knew but we so badly needed to be reminded of it, almost as if we had forgotten it. Also stuff that was brand new and was like a breath of fresh air to us.  All I can say is that the Holy Spirit fell upon us and the atmosphere was thick! He was soaking all over us.  It was an incredible time. God was speaking through her!  Aisha said that she kept hearing God say ” Everyone needs a robin” This is crazy because that is the name of our new team mate. She said “What do we know about robins?”.  Ashley said ”  They are singing birds”. I said ” They come in the winter and sit out on the dry bare branches.. Its like they bring life to the dead branch”  We all looked at each other and had a moment of God speaking deeply into our souls at the same time. The robins coming…. New life is coming.  Nadia had already quoted to us- Matthew 11v 28.  ” Come to me all those who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest” . We knew we had to lean on Gods strength and rest in God. Our winter is over because new life is coming. No more doom and gloom no more worry.  We will no longer be in a dry place but instead we should be the robins that fly to the dry branches and sing and bring life in the dry places. 
We were in a place of excitement a place of real joy and comfort with one another.  Yet again another night of someone giving their time and tea to show us Christ’s  love. Was a night on the race that I am sure none of us will forget! God is good and He brought us so much joy, strength, relief and good words when we needed them most! :)  So I am very excited about our new team. We don’t know what to expect but we know God has planned it and that its going to be good 🙂 . When we are in His will it always is!