This month in Ukraine, we are getting to serve alongside some amazing people. This week I witnessed one of the workers here at Jeremiah’s Hope, Xander, show God’s love in such a gentle and powerful way. It’s amazing that the way we serve others is not only a testament of God’s character to the one being served, but also to everyone around.
On our way out to drop off food in the village for an outreach program, Xander wanted to stop to visit this older, blind woman. We pulled up in the car next to a small house with an old woman sitting out front. After getting out of the car, he immediately sat next to her, put his arm around her, and gently placed his hand in her hands as a son would his mother. I have rarely witnessed someone care for another with such tenderness and care. She lit up and began to kiss his hands repeatedly. She talked and talked and talked, and all the while he sat there patiently listening, gently rubbing her back.
When we left, he explained more of her story. This woman is 90 years old. She had many siblings that died of starvation along with many other Ukrainians during that time period. She had been married twice and never had kids, but both of her spouses had passed away. She had no eyesight, was completely alone, and struggled with simple tasks like moving a log into the fire to heat her house.
When we visited, it was only his third time visiting her, and he showed her more kindness and love to her in those three days than some see in a lifetime. He has made it a point to visit her every day. Just the other day he was telling us about how he gave her her first piece of chocolate and first taste of yogurt.
This guy oversees numerous projects at the organization. Although much of this is his job, he goes above and beyond. He devotes his life to serving the people, young and old, orphans and widows, in the community. He doesn’t have to visit the old blind woman everyday and bring her food, but he does. He doesn’t have to go outside and play with the kids in the foster house, but he does, and they light up when they see him. On the Sasha project, to every house we go to, Xander is welcomed with such joy and open arms. He’s not just a nice guy, he is someone that makes others feel safe, cared about, and known. Xander is a perfect example of being Jesus in the flesh to people. (Side note, he also has a great taste in music.)
Every time I have thought about God this week, the image of Xander holding this old woman in his arms comes to my mind.
The way his arms held this old, fragile woman is the way God holds us.
We are fragile and blind and God comes to us and holds us. He listens to us.
I have nothing to offer God, I have nothing to benefit him. It is just me.
That poor old woman has nothing to give Xander, but everyday he shows up on her doorstep.
I have nothing to benefit God, but everyday he shows up. He holds me when I’m weak, he guides me when I’m confused, he rejoices with me, he cares for me, he sacrifices everything he has for me.
If Xander’s love for this woman is so great, how much more is God’s love for us?
God is high and mighty, he is worthy of honor and praise, yet he has humbled himself, sacrificed himself to be among man. His love is so vast.
God will hold you in his arms, and in his arms you are safe. Fear not the one who can harm your body, but the one who holds your spirit.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Not even death can take me from the love of God.
In my Fathers arms I am home.
In my Fathers arms, I am safe.
In my Fathers arms, I am loved.
Below is a picture of Xander
