This month my team is in L'viv, Ukraine working with Lindsay's team and the Blessing family (missionaries from Texas!). We are working in a number of ways, namely construction at their ministry house called Beth-El, VBS at their church, and English Club with university students in the city. To say That this is a month of blessing would be an understatement.
We are staying in one blessing. L'viv is an incredibly beautiful city established in 1256 that is home to over 700 coffee shops and an incredible chocolate factory. It feels a little unreal. This can't be real life. Can it? I'm sipping coffee from a Chemex in one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen. But it is real, and while I feel blessed, I am also very aware of the Spiritual darkness that surrounds us. This city has been ruled by many different nations throughout its life. Prior to World War II, L’viv was a major Jewish cultural center, but during the war the Nazis established a Jewish ghetto and built Yanivsky concentration camp where 200,000 Jews lost their lives to Hitler’s “Final Solution”; L’viv became a place of torture and death. That spirit still weighs heavily here. Driving into town every day, we drive past the prison that used to be a concentration camp on the right while the train station that took the jews to their death is just to the left. In the early 90s, when the Soviet Union fell, freedom came to Ukraine, but many old hurts are still here, and on top of that, many new problems have come with freedom and capitalism. Materialism, Rebellion, and Lust rear their mocking heads around every corner and the Ukrainians are hooked. We see Jesus bringing His freedom here though and I know that He is establishing His Kingdom. Please join us in praying for L'viv.
We are staying at another blessing. This home is so wonderful. You walk in and are greeted by a plaque that reads "Shalom, Y'all!" The heart of Beth-El is to be a place of rest and restoration for pastors, missionaries, and Jewish families who need the peace and wholeness that Holy Spirit declares over us with His Shalom. The house is still being built, but will (within the next year, ideally) sleep 35 guests at a time. It has private rooms for pastors and ministers who need time alone to seek the Lord. It also has several hostel-styled bunk rooms that will sleep missions teams and Ukrainian Jewish families who are transitioning out of Ukraine and back to the promised land. It is a really messy governmental process, and many of these families would lose thousands of dollars by having to leave without selling their homes if it weren't for Beth-El. The Blessings hope to continue building trust and relationship with the Jewish community and to show them the love of Yeshua Jesus. Pray for Beth-El to fully become what it's name means, the House of God.
We are staying with five more Blessings. Mark and Rhonda are wonderful. I have loved getting to know them and seeing their heart for this country. They have walked through so much and have grown in so much intimacy with God. I am honored and blessed to serve them and learn from them this month. Their three daughters are also serving alongside them. Bria is one of the most incredible lead worshippers I have ever met. Look out for her upcoming album, because it will bless you in a deep, profound way. Lindsay is one of the sweetest people I know, and her heart to serve her parents and the Lord is mind blowing. Meeting her has really challenged me to serve people in a more self-giving way. Krista has this incredible anointing over her life to reach the nations. She is wise beyond her years and will be a powerhouse for the Kingdom. Please pray for the Blessings as they continue to live for the Lord in L'viv.
They asked me to be their adopted brother, and I readily agreed. I'm so thankful to once again be meeting family all over the world. The body of Christ is too good. Thank you Dad! I love your Church so much.
So my prayer for you is that you are deeply blessed so you too can be a blessing. More blogs will be coming soon! I promise!
