An 8 hour flight straight north over the entire continent of Africa to Istanbul, Turkey, followed by a 2 hour flight to Kiev, Ukraine and a 15 hour train ride and we are settled into our new home: Odessa, Ukraine. Month 10. It’s hard to believe we are already here. Throughout the whole race, I knew that Europe was going to come at the perfect time in the race. One reason is because the first 6 months of the race have been extremely hot and humid and I knew that being in Europe during the Fall season would be nice. Another reason coming here at the end of the race is nice is because it will help the transition back in to the States be easier for us because Europe is much more like the States than any other country we’ve been to. The last reason, and the most important one, is that I now have 9 months of experience in different countries and different ministries that I can share with the people here.
This month, we are working with a college campus ministry called CCX. Basically, we are befriending students on campus and sharing our faith with them. When I first heard that this would be our ministry this month, I was really excited. I think if this had been our first month on the race, I would not have been as prepared for this ministry. I have learned so much in the other countries and through different ministries and I have many experiences to share now. For example, I have learned so much about other religions such as Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist by living in other countries, which helps me relate and understand the students that I’ve met here since they are all from different backgrounds. I know that God had this specific route planned out for my squad, and that all the ministries we have had are in a specific order for a reason.
We have only been here for 2 days and already my team and I have made friends with some of the nicest people I’ve ever met: 2 brothers from Iraq, 2 friends from India, several Ukrainian students, a guy from Belgium, and a guy from Nigeria. They are my new extended family. All different backgrounds, all different religions… I’m really looking forward to this month of sharing my faith, sharing the love of Christ and just ministering to them through my own personal testimony and acts of love. I can already tell that I’m going to make life long friends this month, God willing 🙂 You can already tell how close we all are just after one afternoon of hanging out in Odessa (they were giving us a tour). Praise the Lord for new friends, and new ministry opportunities. Please pray for my team and I this month that the Lord will speak through us and that we will have a lasting impact here!
