We are in Eastern Ukraine, working with ministry that is a home church. It is really refreshing and cool, because Beth and I have come to really want to be part of a home church in our future. The contacts are our age and have an awesome passion for this area. They are definatley faced with a lot of trials. Finances are difficult and jobs are slim, there is corruption and an econmony that costs more then it pays.
The typical attitude here is doom and gloom. Friendly is not the word I would pick for the average Ukrainian. But the Christians we have met here are true examples of Christ’s grace, mercy, and love. There are many reasons to be part of the doom and gloom bandwagon, but these are some of the most amazing people we have been around all year. There is such a huge contrast between them and the average person. They smile, serve with joy, laugh, and have great faith.
All men and many women we have met here work in the coal mines. The best paying, but most dangerous job. They travel a few hours underground to get to their work site and then work with their hand tools for 6 hours. So in total they work for about 10-12 hours a day. The local flat we live in has a bar on the first floor and the alcohol is cheaper then bottled water.
We have been doing bible studies and english clubs. Many of them are new in their relationship with God. Every meeting we have been a part of has asked us if we sin. With laughter, we answer yes. They laugh back and look relieved. They are faced daily with their responses to the darkest spiritual place in Ukraine (our contacts words). We talk about how we all will fail, but God knows we will fail in our attempt to live in relationship with Him. We can resist sin all we want, but we will still sin. One big difference is how we desire not to live in sin, we desire to grow more with God and live in the footsteps of Jesus. Our faith, trust, and desire to live with God is a key factor. We ask for forgiveness from others and God as we stumble and ask God to change our hearts and let our actions follow. Christians are messy people- I think all people would agree with that. God loves broken vessels’, it allows the light to shrine through the cracks.Â
Even though we sin, we are still saints because we are created in God’s image.Â
What is such a huge step for so many and the same step that I walked through is that we need to have faith in God. Faith in what Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection meant for us. We are now able to live in relationship with God. We can bring heaven to earth. We are the light of Christ who lives in us. Faith in the spiritual world.Â
Belief is the name of the game…… I pray God changes and transforms your heart. I pray that you ask God to change, transform, and live in you. You will be changed.
