I am currently in Bucharest, Romania! I have a few more blogs to post about Ukraine (my team had almost no internet access there, so I have much to catch you up on!), but I have to gather my thoughts more before they can be posted. Until then, I wanted to send a quick update on things thus far. I got here two days ago and am enjoying wonderful fellowship among my entire “O” Squad (all of the June team). It has been so nice getting to catch up with them and having all together worship. Tomorrow the teams will be dispersed again, going to their ministry sites. Luckily I get to stay right where I’m at since this is my ministry site for July. It’s called Casa Shalom! I’m not sure yet what ministry will look like this month, but I know that Casa Shalom is going to be my dwelling place. Bucharest is such an intriguing place to me. We are a few bus stops away from the People’s Parliament Palace (2nd biggest building in the world). I get a really good vibe from this city and am so pumped for ministry. Even though its so close to Ukraine, there is such a different feel.
I’m ashamed to say that before I entered into it, I didn’t know there was even a country called Moldova. It’s between Ukraine and Romania, so we crossed it (and got our passports stamped) in the middle of the night when we were on the train. It’s a small country, and very poor. I’d like to learn more about it.
Last month, God worked in suprising ways. After a few days, we realized that He had us there just as much for the people we were serving with, as the people we were serving. We were speaking to the children at Camp through translators – giving Bible lessons and preaching the gospel through another persons tongue. It is true: people cannot speak Truth without it effecting their lives. We got to develop close relationships with our translators, and were able to talk to them a lot about spirituality and answer any questions. We were also working alongside an awesome friend from Indonesia named Fajar. He and I had such great conversation about faith, religion, God, and Truth. His heart is so open and the Lord is going to dive right into that.
Ivan, one of our fabulous translators, with our new friend Fajar
Since I’ve been in Bucharest, my whole outlook is being shifted. Ukraine was difficult for me – it was new, it was hard being away from my home and my loved ones. I was not happy about no communication with the people who I find comfort in. And diving into community with people who I really didn’t know that much. Today was my feedback day, and the Lord is just working on my heart so much. He is my comfort. He is who I need to run to when things are hard. He is my everything. He knows that I need to learn to do that and for me it is a process. That is a huge reason why I know He has me here. His relentless pursuing for me has brought me to the most uncomfortable thing I’ve ever experienced. He knew this is what it would take to get all of me, and not just parts.
My teammates are awesome – I feel really blessed to be part of Umoja. We’re still getting to know each other (with feedback – speed dating on steroids. haha). But as they prayed over me this morning, they hit dead on what not only I needed to hear, but also what I needed to have prayed over me. To cast my spirit of fear on God; I am His daughter and fear has no place in my heart. That demons will tremble when I enter a room, instead of the other way around. That our community will be marked by unity. And that learning how to build community here will allow me to grow closer to those back home.
Team Umoja (looking very stoic) with the statue of Lenin in Lugansk
Lastly, you guys are awesome! I thank God for my supporters – your little messages that encourage me so much. Your willingness to read my blogs. You’re support in physically getting me here and partnering with me for the Kingdom. God’s doing a lot inside me at this leg of the race. I believe what He’s doing in my heart is going to be key for further legs of the race. As far as funding goes, I made the launch goal! I was actually $35 over the launch goal 🙂 Right now in my account, I have $8,535. By the end of Month 3 (Ireland) we are to have $11,500 in our accounts. And the last deadline is to have the full $14,300 in by December.
Here are some facts that I learned about Ukraine:
We were staying in a village named “Bolshoi Sulkahovol” which means “Big, dry place”.
2/3 of Ukrainian orphan girls voluntarily enter prostitution or are trafficked after graduating.
70% of orphan boys are incarcerated after leaving the orphanage.
1 in 10 Ukrainian boys in the orphanage commit suicide.
Ukraine has the highest AIDS population outside of Africa.
2/3 of Ukrainian orphan girls voluntarily enter prostitution or are trafficked after graduating.
70% of orphan boys are incarcerated after leaving the orphanage.
1 in 10 Ukrainian boys in the orphanage commit suicide.
Ukraine has the highest AIDS population outside of Africa.
Lugansk is the world’s capitol for mail order brides.
The flag is Blue and Yellow – representing the blue sky over the yellow wheat fields.
Well, I wasn’t expecting this blog to get so long winded! It turned out to be more than just a quick update… I just can’t stop sharing about whats happening! Thank you for your love 🙂
There are sunflower fields everywhere here – so beautiful!
