When Bruce Wayne became Batman to protect Gotham City, he forfeited any chance he had of having a “normal” life—being known, having a family…sleeping. Sacrifice. When Harry Potter undertook the quest for the horcruxes, he gave up his life at Hogwarts, safety, friendships, the only family he's ever known. Sacrifice. When Jesus came to earth, he laid down his life—in living and in dying—being sin-free and finally being crucified to be that perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of the entire world.
Sacrifice. That’s the word that comes to mind when I think about “Eric.” Patty and I met him at one of the many McDonald’s in the city. He came along with a pastor whom we were meeting about UHC. Eric works at a university and lives in the dorms as part of the job. But with his position, his primary concern isn’t just to house the students, but to bring the Gospel to them—specifically, the international students. Through his position at the university and holding English clubs three times a week, Eric has developed relationships of trust with the students; and despite their own conceptions of religion and Christianity, they respect him and listen to him. He is, in a sense, undercover for the Gospel. He’s been granted a position of influence over a population that is extremely difficult to reach. But this life has come at a price.
Eric isn’t Ukrainian. He’s from Africa, from a country that has experienced a lot of social and political turmoil throughout the years. He came to Ukraine to study at a university; but upon graduation, going home wasn’t an option.
“I miss my sister very much,” he told us. “I haven’t seen my family since August 28th, 1975.” That’s 38 years. And I thought 11 months was a long time.
See, legally, Eric could go home. He would have no trouble leaving Ukraine. But if he left, he would risk never being able to come back. (To be honest, the legal details went a little over my head when coming through the language barrier, but basically, for someone of Eric’s nationality, it is difficult to reenter Ukraine.) And God has called him to be here, among the international students.
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:25-27).
I don’t believe that God wants us to actually hate our families or our lives in the way that we understand the word “hate.” (For reassurance, read these: Exodus 12:20, Matthew 22:37-40, Ephesians 6:1-3.) But rather, in knowing the significance and weight of fully devoting our lives to following Jesus, being concerned about ourselves and our earthly families kind of pales in comparison.
Eric gladly accepts the responsibility God has placed in his life. You can tell just by talking with him that he deeply cares for the well-bring and salvation of his students. For him, it’s all worth it.
“…I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things, I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
Sacrifice is never easy—if it was, it wouldn’t be a sacrifice. We are praying that Eric will be able to visit home soon. But in the meantime, we hope to send future World Race teams to Ukraine to come alongside this hero in his work for the Kingdom.
Here’s to you, “Eric.” “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 7).
