A few weeks ago we had our final week of camp in Ukraine. I loved it- the morning exercises and dances (got to work on my chacha slide… what could be better?), the porridge type breakfast I got to enjoy (with bread, of course), teaching the kids fun songs and motions (speed Fruit of the Spirit motions were a favorite), English time with Caroline and Brie (definitely a stretch, teaching English to tweens at all different levels, but we got creative and ended up having a good time!), Forrest time (I got destroyed in UNO a few times… but taught them slapjack and made up for it ;), enjoying Ukrainian soup and meats (and, you guessed it, bread), “helping” at the origami workshop (I have to admit, the leader had to help me as much as the kids at some points), and joined in during the daily “quests,” or scavenger hunts. The days were long but full of time to befriend the kids and the counselors. I loved being a part of the camp community, having jokes with the kids, learning Ukrainian, and showering them with love throughout the day. We would come home on the crowded bus (and when I say crowded, I mean every part of you is squished up next to someone else, and the bus still stops to let 5 more people on!), make dinner, and take turns sharing the story of our lives so far with our team.
On the last day of camp, it was Ukraine’s Independence Day, and all the kids brought their traditional clothing to wear in celebration. I wore the most floral thing I had, but didn’t quite make the cut ;). We also had a talent show on the last day, and it was fun to see the kids dance, sing, and bring their drawings to share with each other. At the end of the day, awards were given out to kids who excelled in some of the workshops, and each one of us was awarded for our English class. Two weeks is not a long time, but I had a hard time hugging my dear friends goodbye and walking to the bus stop that afternoon. What an awesome reminder that people are people no matter where you are, and it doesn’t take too much to find something in common to connect over.
One of the most humbling experiences for me was trying to share the Gospel through a translator. Back at home, I walk around, ask kids questions, and feel comfortable telling them about what Jesus did for them by taking their place on the cross and rising again. Speaking through a translator was much more difficult than I expected it to be, because I would get distracted while Eric shared what I had just said and forget where I was going! I will be practicing, but if you could pray for me, that God would give me boldness and confidence in the opportunities He gives me, I would be so grateful.
We were able to share the story of Jesus with all of the kids there, which was so special, and I am praying that God will use the truth they heard to draw them closer to Him and to grow their faith. I’m humbled that He can use even our weaknesses to bring glory to His name, and am trusting Him to continue to do that. It was a great reminder that He is the one who is working and saving His children, I am just a vessel of His grace. I want to do that to the best of my ability, in every opportunity, but sometimes, when I miss an opportunity, or feel like I let God down, I get stuck thinking I have to work my way back to God to “get on His good side.” I know that He always, always forgives, and is a comforting Father, but I get caught in the lie that He is condemning me for what I did (or didn’t) do. The word grace has been popping up all over in my life, and slowly but surely God is softening my heart to understand that His grace is deeper than I can ever imagine, that He does not turn from me, that I can never do anything to make Him love me less, and I can never do anything to make Him love me more. What a beautiful truth- He is so wonderful. And I am so humbled that I get to share that truth with so many people around the world.
After our week of camp, we took a train over the weekend to go to Budapest for a little adventure as a team. It was a beautiful, lively city, very vibrant and filled with so much history. We walked everywhere we went, from castles to art museums to coffee shops and across bridges, and we spent some great time together as a team and got to meet some wonderful people from all sorts of countries! The highlights for me included exploring the city on foot, meeting a bunch kind of artisans and shopkeepers, seeing a Frida Kahlo exhibit, and taking the train across the country. It was a fun way to spend our weekend!
The next week, we sorted clothing donations for a few different orphanages, and brought the clothes to the psychiatric orphanage 3 hours away from where we lived. The orphanage had 175 people living there, aging from 6-56, each with some sort of undiagnosed physical or mental disability. While the people working there did their best to care for their patients, it was heartbreaking to think that just a diagnosis and some medication could bring about radical change in many of their lives. We walked around the facility and visited the rooms of people who were unable to get out of bed, held their hand, chatted with them, smiled at them, and did our best to let them know that they are dearly loved. The term “skin and bones” now has new meaning to me- many of the patients are literally just that. They aren’t able walk, are unable eat on their own, and don’t have an ounce of muscle or fat on them. Thankfully they have kind workers who feed, change, and care for them, but the ration is incredibly low- 1 worker to every 17 patients (including the kitchen workers!). The beds were clean, the rooms were bright and cheery, but the care that each individual needs could only come from a loving family that would chose to keep them and care for them. Nearly all of the people there were abandoned, simply because of their condition. **See below for more info**
As we visited people who were physically stronger, I quickly learned that dance was a great way to connect with them. We laughed as we grabbed hands and rocked back and forth, throwing a few spins in there for extra fun. I did my best to greet each person around me, taking their hand and letting them know I loved them for who they are, using my very basic Ukrainian to interact with them by counting, high fives, and teaching them the Big Hero 6 “Ba-la-la-la” pound it. I desperately wanted each person to feel loved and accepted, and to know, even for a moment, that we care for them and love them because Jesus loves them infinitely more.
It was there, in the dancing and smiles and laughing with a woman much older than myself that I thought to myself, “I think I just got lice.” A week later, and many moments of itching, I asked Carson if she could check my head. I knew when she asked for the headlamp that my diagnosis was not promising. Thankfully, in His grace, God gave me patience and peace, and amazing squadmates who selflessly search through my head each night, literally nit-picking the bugs from my scalp. It’s been over two weeks, and we are still working to get rid of it all. In the moments of hand washing all of my clothes, humbly sitting on the ground, neck bent, depending on the help of others, I often fall into a victim-mindset, and forget to accept the circumstances with joy. Thankfully, the Spirit is stronger than my self-focused thoughts, and He is leading me to remember that He is holding me, and He loves me, and this is not what defines me or my days. I am learning to believe and clinging to the truth that bringing the joy of Jesus to a mentally handicapped woman is worth it- sharing who He is and sharing His love is always worth it. I don’t want to believe the lice that fill my head (bahahahaha…. gotta get a pun out of it, at least ;). I want to always, in every circumstance, remember that we have freedom in Christ, we are loved beyond what we can imagine, and He is with us.
Currently, I am in Romania living with the whole squad for a month as we partner with Hope Church to join in all different types of ministries to share the Gospel and help people get connected into the church community. I’m excited to share more of what we are doing and will get to do, and to tell you about the amazing ways God is already moving! I’m sorry my update is so long overdue… I really do want to be disciplined in sharing all that God is doing in and through us on a regular basis, so I’ll be working on that :).
Thank you, to each of you who are reading and encouraging and praying… I feel so loved and cherished by each of you. Thank you for being such a great family to me!
I’ll talk to you soon!
****If this is a field of work you have knowledge or experience in, they are ALWAYS looking for medical teams to come and care for the people there! Let me know if you want to get in touch with them!****
