Some things…
1. Ukraine has the fastest growing AIDS population in Eastern Europe. This is not due to sexual promiscuity as in many of the countries we’ve visited. It comes from sharing needles.
2. Between 70% and 80% of 13-16 year olds in Ukraine regularly drink alcohol. 25% have tried drugs. Heroine is the drug of choice here. (This statistic is updated from my original post. Got a little carried away and confused a couple of numbers.)
3. 2% of addicts recover. Do the math. That means 98% of them die. Before the age of 30.
The whole squad in Kiev.
I just turned 29 last week. Here in Ukraine. When I joke that 30 is just around the corner and that means my life is almost over, I don’t have any serious expectations of that. But for a huge percentage of the population here, that’s not funny. Because it’s probably true. A bleak history contributes to a feeling of hopelessness that seems to permeate much of this nation.
So it’s a pretty amazing life to be able to bring LIFE right into this hopeless nation. To carry that wherever I go. And to be called to bring forth Kingdom every place I set my feet. Well, now my feet are traveling all over Kyiv, Ukraine. So I get two more weeks to change the climate of this nation.
See, I didn’t really know anything about this country. I was (and still am) pretty ignorant when it comes to most of Eastern Europe. But now I know a little. I know that although these people have a hard exterior, they respond to our smiles and greetings. I know that even though they come across cold sometimes, they have huge warm hearts. I know that these people are longing to know the hope that only Christ brings. Luckily, Christ lives in me, the hope of glory.
And now I am responsible for the little bit I know. Responsible for this new information. And since you’ve read this blog, you are responsible too. Because now you know. But that’s not just a burden…it’s a HUGE privilege! Because we get to join together to speak life back into this place. It’s a pretty amazing life.
Will you join me?
