For the most part, I was the easy child. I was generally quiet. I played for hours off in my room disturbing no one. When I was a teenager, I was always tucked in bed by 10 pm. In high school I got straight A's and enjoyed sitting in the front at school. In college I got straight A's and enjoyed sitting at the front. I didn't pull all-nighters and I never waited till the last minute. I was an overachiever and desired to please anyone and everyone.
I am pretty sure my parents didn't worry too much about my behavior. That is until this past year.
This year I left America to travel with a backpack to over 11 countries and three continents. I sat down with a full size tiger. I rode an elephant. I took dozens of modes of transportation. I climbed caves. I climbed mountains and waterfalls. I got in cars with strangers (never a good choice). I slept in trains that were known for robbery and assault and was nearly robbed myself. I went down the red light district in Thailand. I spent days in a shady little apartment watching my friends get tattoos by someone who doesn't speak English. I got chased by several wild dogs. And then this month.
Well, this month is special. Because not only do I worry my parents, but I ignored the warnings of the whole world.
The whole world is looking at Ukraine right now. The political unrest with Russia on the east and the uncertainty of what Putan will do to the country labels it as an unsafe place to travel to.
But I'm here nonetheless.
The funny thing is that between Japan and Ukraine, I feel the most safe I've felt this entire year.
Perhaps I have never been the type to go against rule or counsel because I feared the consequences. And while that it is true and actually did protect me from potential harm and a completely different path, I think it was also somewhat driven by fear. Much of my thinking in my life has had an underlying theme of fear. And I've had the opportunity to watch that theme of fear wash away and turn to freedom.
No longer do I worry so much about how people think about me or what if they don't like me. No longer am I so afraid of the unknown or my future which looks so much like a blank canvas now. I'm excited. And that's because I know how to rebel against my nature to let people determine that canvas and how I'm going to paint on it. Not anymore. I'm handing over the brush to allow the Creator of creativity to do what He has for me.
Summary of what we are doing here in Ukraine
My team is living with a family in Lviv which is on the far east of the country. Their last name is Blessing and it suits them entirely. Mark and Rhonda pastor a church here in Lviv and with their three daughters all have a call to minister to people in Ukraine. Specifically, they have had a burden on their heart for the Jews. They have been building a community home for 10 years to be able to house 35 Jews at a time who are leaving their homes to move to Israel. The Blessing home, also called Bethel House, will be a haven during their travels. They are nearing the final stages of construction and so we have been working to clean, prime and paint each of the rooms. We are mostly staying in the Blessing home. But when I'm not painting or helping to cook or clean the huge house I am out in the garden.
Please pray for Ukraine. Pray that the recently elected president will have holy motives for the decisions he has for the country. Pray that people would be proud of their country. Pray for the safety of those called to fight and protect the borders. Pray that both young and old would fight against fear and live with boldness and confidence and know God.
