Ah Ukraine, how I have delighted in you. You might be a little stoic at times, but your richness and history bleed from every crumbling building, in every heart of your people. I see your beauty in both the glimmering cathedrals and the eyes of the homeless.
Ukraine has felt eerily similar to home at times. And after a month abroad, it has begun to sink in that I am actually on the World Race.
Similarities:
- Corn and soybean fields
- Beautiful blue skies
- Potholes on potholes on potholes
- People dress relatively the same
Differences
- People walk, everywhere
- Many people look at me like I’m crazy when I smile and say hi
- Light switches are almost always OUTSIDE the room they actually affect (yes, bathroom pranks have already been performed both purposefully and accidentally)
- Language barriers #allday #erryday
- It is VERY quiet. Even with many people surrounding me, there is a stillness and peacefulness that I rarely see in America
- A lot more cigarette smoking
- Cobblestone streets
- Driving in your lane is more of a suggestion than an expectation. Also, speed limit signs = basically nonexistent.
Today I had a distinct feeling of homesickness overtake me during a time of listening prayer. I have, of course, been missing my friends and family, but this was more specifically for home. For that feeling I get from familiarity all around me. Where my senses are bombarded by memories. The smells of sweet grass in the summer, the sounds of the birds that live in the tree in the backyard, the feeling of the crisp autumn air ruffling my hair, and the taste of my favorite brand of hummus, for crying out loud! The arms of my loved ones embracing me, the sound of their laughter, their smiles. Home is all the millions of ways you feel loved, safe, remembered, cherished, comfortable, and familiar. You know it when you feel it.
And boy, did I feel it. I didn’t want to go home, but I missed the feeling of being home. All those differences add up. I knew what home was to me. As I thought about it and continued to pray, the thought crossed my mind “this is how I should feel about Heaven.”
No matter how many times I’ve said or sang that Heaven is my home, I certainly don’t feel about it the way I do Indiana, my friends, and my family.
Now, I know feelings aren’t everything, but I have grown to truly appreciate and – dare I say – love them in recent years. They can help us and teach us so much. And associating this ache and yearning that I feel for home with how I should feel with Heaven has greatly expanded my view of what it means to be focused more on the next phase of life than the current one. I think sometimes the thought of living in Heaven scared me a little, just because it was so unknown. But I don’t have anything to fear, because it is going to feel just like going home, only even BETTER. It’s a little hard to wrap my mind around, but I kinda like it that way.
So here’s to home, whatever it means to you. Treasure it, and I pray it always points you to the glory that is yet to be revealed to us when we finally come to the best home there is – the presence of Jesus.
“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
// John 14:2-3 //
“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.”
// 2 Corinthians 5:9 //
Ministry this Month
Ministry in Ukraine has been English teaching! Week 1 was with middle-high school aged children (I taught 14-16 year olds). Week 2 was a day camp at church ranging from 4-15 year old kiddos. And Week 3 is an adult English class. We have also walked the streets to invite people to this adult English school, prayed for the homeless, and played soccer with the locals. (For more in depth information, comment below with your email & I will send you the deets from this month in my monthly email update!) (Also, check out my Highlight Reel blog at the end of the month for ministry pictures!).
Looking Forward
On September 3 my team and I will arrive in Brasov, Romania for debrief! This is a time for us to come together and worship and process what just happened in our first month. Please pray for safe travels for us from Ukraine and for our Squad Mentor and coaches from the States, for lots of rest, and for the Lord to continue to grow us!
