Ukraine is a place of much beauty. The people hold the truest beauty. As much as they want to broaden their knowledge and experience of the world around them, they have a proud loyalty to their roots in Ukraine. They understand what it takes to have independance and freedom. The freedom that was fought for in their own country is something that I think fuels their love for learning English. They know that freedom is hope. English is hope. They see what English can get them. It takes having freedom to see freedom. Just like they loved learning more about English they were also enthralled with hearing about our Creator, Savior, Father, and Lord. Jesus was something that they saw hope in also. These people were beautifully moved by our testimonies and the way we loved one another. It was so redeeming to see how the stories that God wrote for us, before time even began, had this incredible impact on people. We had an incredible seat for watching the spirit move in peoples lives while we were there. I got to see people free of chains that once held them. I saw love come and touch their heart in a way that they had never experienced it before. The story of our Savior is one that changes everything the moment it hits the ear. The people of Ukraine became our brothers and sisters. It was such a full month.
(Most) of the team one night in Ternopil, Ukraine.
Most evenings a member of the church we were working with would host us for dinner at their home. Tolik and his wife hosted us this evening and took us to see some of Ternopil’s city lights. What a city.
(Sasha, Christiana, Oxana, Ira)
Our translators for the month have the biggest place in our hearts. These ladies become such close friends with all of us and loved us in spectacular ways. They were patient with us and were able to make passing out fliers in 40 degree weather loads of fun. Thank you for loving us each like your own family. I love and miss you all so dearly! I sadly didn’t get a chance to get photos with all of them but here are a few of their lovely faces.
Our little kitchen in Ukraine. This kitchen was the facilitator of community for us. It is probably hard to imagine how we got all 8 of us around that table but we sure did it. This place holds some sweet times within its walls. Lots of laughs and tears. Tons of trash talk during intense games of Settlers of Catan. I once sat at this table for 4 straight hours and felt all the feelings and processed all the things. This place became home. It beautifully brought all of us together each day. Tiny kitchen, you are also very missed.
?John Mark shout out: “You stay classy San Diego,” and “Hey Dad… I love you” – love, Big Boy
The greatest part of last month had to be our students. They were our source of joy and laughter in and out of the classroom. We got to hear their hearts about their country and why they wanted to learn English. Their’s will be the face of change in Ukraine and beyond. We taught a group that was 16 years old and up, as well as a group that was 14 – 16 years old. These ladies specifically, are so full of kindness and joy from the Lord. I watched them grow from uniquely beautiful women to still uniquely beautiful but also beloved daughters of the Most High King, in just two weeks. They are women who walk in confidence and love with a great passion that could only come from understanding the love that their Heavenly Father has for them. I feel so blessed to have these ladies as my friends and sisters in Christ! Love and miss you both so much. Keep chasing after God’s love, it will always lead you to incredible places.
Ukraine was a bundle of surprises and streets adorned by these rich autumn leaves. This month was special because we were actually able to see The Lord calling people to himself in tangible ways. We saw people gain a calling to bring the kingdom anywhere they go. We saw people step out in a different kind of love than they had ever experienced before. I hope we left Ukraine better than we found it. I will miss you Ternopil.
RIDING INTO MONTH THREE LIKE…
Los Andes, Chile we are here and ready to love on some folks. My only info about ministry is that we are a part of an interactive Christmas play all in Spanish! None of us speak Spanish! Oh and Chileans don’t have schedules ever and they are late to everything hahaha it is like this culture was made for me.
