The Beauty Of Ukraine

I see images of children forced into the midst of a war. I see pictures of lifeless bodies lining the streets that I walked a year ago. Death and war has overtaken a beautiful country.

Ukraine is in a state of crisis. For years, Ukraine has been governed by a corrupt government who has no interest in what is best for the people. The situation worsened when Russia threatened Ukraine into backing out of a trade agreement with the EU that would have greatly benefited the people. The man who has titled himself as Ukraine's president, Viktor Yanukovych, and the corrupt leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, have essentially worked together to gain as much power as possible at the expense of the freedom of the people of Kyiv. Soon after, Ukraine legalized dictatorship, taking all freedoms from the people. The people of Kyiv have rebelled against this, and are risking their lives to take control of their country.

Make no mistake. This may not be a major story in America as of yet, but this is an event that will change history. We are witnessing a country that is writing it's futures story. This is a people rising up to take on an identity and fight against corruption. We are watching the birth of a nation.

It is time for us to stand with Ukraine. It is time for us to tell everyone and anyone who will listen what is going on. It is time for us to stand up in support of this great nation and it's people. I urge you to contact your senators. Call them, write them emails, any way you can think of to pressure them to put sanctions on these evil dictators. Though we can do nothing that compares to the sacrifice of the people of Ukraine, let us take what action we can take to stand with this nation. 

We must stand firm in prayer for Ukraine. Pray. And don't stop. No corrupt dictator can stand against the King of ALL Kings, leaders, and dictators. Darkness will not prevail, because we serve a Holy God, who will work all things together for good in the nation of Ukraine. I believe that God has massive plans for Ukraine, and His will is to use them. I always have. That belief is part of who I am. 

The intentions of evil never prevail against the will of God. 

I struggle to put into words the love that I have for this country. From the moment I first stepped foot in Kyiv, I have been drawn back. I couldn't stay away after my first trip there. After spending six months there, my desire is even greater to return. Many times when I talk about my feelings for Ukraine, I get curious looks. Often the question is asked, incredulously, "Ukraine? Why there?" And for a long time I have not been able to answer adequately. There are many reasons that I am drawn to that country, but the task of summing it up into words seems too great. 

But I will say this. The corruption in Ukraine has been evident to me since the first day I arrived there. The blemishes of the country stand out at times. And now, it seems to have erupted into a massive onslaught of darkness. Yes, I do see images of children forced into the midst of a war. I have seen far too many pictures of lifeless bodies filling the street. And indeed, death and war permeate the streets of Kyiv. I see all this and it breaks my heart. 

But I see something else. I see a nation of people standing together in unity to fight against evil. I see Ukrainians rushing to each others aid, walking into the middle of violence to tend to the wounds of their fellow countrymen. I see a people that despite the brutal and violent attacks from their nations government, has never wavered from remaining peaceful. They have stayed true to simply protecting their freedoms, not lashing out at the people who are attacking their home. I see a nation rising up, and taking hold of its identity, even in the face of massive power that has no intentions for good. 

I see beautiful people. And that is why, a year and six days after I left my second home of Ukraine, I am more in love with this country than ever. For in the end, that is the most striking thing to me about Kyiv. The people. They are the reason I keep getting drawn back there, the reason why I see so much hope for that country.

Yes there is death and destruction that encourages hopelessness. But there is a people, so beautiful in their bravery and unity, that in the end, the hope that they are creating will last beyond the darkness.

When all of this is done, the city of Kyiv will be rebuilt. It is a beautiful city, and a beautiful country. But make no mistake. The  beauty of Ukraine is found in it's people. They are the hope, they are the nation of Ukraine. 

The story of Ukraine is being written. History is being formed. A country is withstanding attacks of evil to ensure that they see freedom. Beautiful beautiful people are doing beautiful things. 

In its darkest hour, I stand with Ukraine. Will you?

Outreach Phase

                          
                    Religion that God our Father accepts as 
                       pure and spotless is this:
          To Look after widows and orphans 
       in their distress, and to 
   keep oneself from being polluted by the  
                    World.

Ministry Defined By Relationships

We had been preparing for the Evangelism Service we were doing with a local church for a couple weeks.

"Where is it?" I asked. I didn't get a clear answer.

Later that day, we were walking down a street, and one of my fellow team members stopped me. "It's here Josh!" I was looking for a church. We had arrived at a local bar which was where the service would be held.

Welcome to ministry in Cahul, Moldova.

We went inside. There was no one around. A friend that goes to the church who we have developed a great relationship with arrived, but was not sure where the people running the service (who also had the sound system) were. 30 minutes went by.....which turned into an hour.....etc.....

Ministry in Cahul, Moldova 101.

We ended up starting the service almost an hour late. I was playing keyboard on the worship team, and we had only had 3 practices together (and I was sick for one of them), and the acoustic guitar player we had practiced with couldn't come. Worship was difficult, but people got into it. However, it still seemed like the night wasn't going according to plan.

And then the end of the service came. There was a call for salvation. Remember that friend who had arrived early with us? He came up to the front. Playing some background music on the piano, I couldn't hold back a smile, and went up to hug my new brother as soon as the service was over.

This has been our entire outreach in Cahul. It's not always salvation's. But when I think about our time in Cahul, I get excited. And as I think about our ministry in Cahul, there a ton of thoughts, that go in a ton of different directions. But when it all comes down to it, when you break it down, simplify it, and try as best you can to sum it up into words, it is this:


We formed deep relationships with people, and we made an impact on those people's lives.

That is what Cahul, Moldova is. Relationships. And we as a team, found a way to tap into that, and used it to make a difference.

And that's not just Cahul, Moldova. That is how to change the world. People want to feel valued. They want connection. But relationship itself is not enough. There has to be a commitment to presenting the Gospel in everything you do. For these two months, we used this tactic to make a difference in Cahul. For us, the goal was never to be a relief team. We did not just want to come in and make a difference for 10 weeks. We wanted more than that, we refused to settle for that.

I believe we have achieved that. We put a heavy emphasis on not only presenting the gospel, but coming alongside those already doing it as an encouragement. We targeted youth and tried to put a fire in them to go out and be world changers in Cahul. Because when we leave in two days, they will still be here. Some of them will be here for the rest of their lives. In the end, they have to be the ones to make the lasting change.

The reason that I believe we achieved this is because I have seen it. I have seen youth grow massively with God in the two months we have been here. And I don't pretend that all of that was because of our team, there was other stuff going on. But I believe we made a difference here. I will go home feeling like God used me.

As I say goodbye to the people we have ministered with, I am saying goodbye to lifelong friends. God has given me such a heart for Cahul. I love these people. Serving here for over 2 months was an amazing experience, and one I will never forget.

We have finished up our ministry here in Cahul. Over a week ago, we had an amazing opportunity to go serve a man named Nikolai. It was a humbling and eye opening experience. When they told us that the house on the side of the street that was in shambles and almost non existent was where we would be working, I assumed it was a house that was not finished yet.

Then I met Nikolai.

He is an amazing man who loves God. He has cataract and lung issues, but is unable to get the surgery needed until he has money. The guys were able to bless him by chopping and sawing wood for him, while the girls went shopping for him. We are continuing to pray for this man.

Last week was a great finish to ministry. We ran a "Campaign For Life" service at Emmanuel Church, which is one of the local churches we've been working with, talking about the value of human life. I had the chance to preach a sermon on how God values us. It was a great finish to our ministry with them. Also, during our Sunday School, that we did for the last 3 weeks of outreach, I had the opportunity to play Batman in a skit we did. To say the least, this was one of the highlights of my outreach. In all seriousness, seeing how much the kids enjoyed Batman and Spiderman going at it to prove who was the best (before being humbled by Jesus), was awesome.

It is now on to the next stage. We have said goodbye to most of our friends, and just have a couple more dinners and visits before we leave. On Thursday morning, we leave for a 2 day team goodbye trip to Chisinau (the capital of Moldova). On Friday night, we start the trip back to Kyiv. We arrive on Saturday, and debriefing starts on Sunday. We have already accepted a request from a local Kyiv church to come speak in their church, where I have been selected to give a testimony about our DTS. After 4 days in Kyiv, I will be making the long journey back home to America.

I am excited to go home and start the next chapter in my life. But I will not forget the lessons I learned on this trip, or the experiences I gained, or the impact that me and my team were able to make. DTS has not disappointed, this journey has been truly life changing!

The Box

Last week, we were supposed to do 4 days of VBS.

We did 2. 

Last week, we were supposed to go to a school to do drama's and connect with some little kids. 

Cancelled. 

I personally invited 6 people to our sledding outreach.

None of them could make it. 

This was how last week went. Everything we planned seemed to go the opposite way of what we were expecting, and nothing was solid. It was a tense week for our team and a very stretching time. 

So on Saturday, during our sledding outreach, while I was having fun, I had a moment where I just kind of stopped for a second and got incredibly frustrated. I was homesick, tired, and nothing had gone according to plan. I started to think how it was a wasted week of ministry, and my thoughts went all kind of places.

One thing I've learned on DTS: If you truly want to grow, find the question in the thought, then find the answer in the question. 

One of the little kids we had met on the way invited me to go with him to the newly discovered tunnel. "Why not?" I thought. 

I went with him, and we went through the tunnel together to the other side. Then we went back and found his friend, and I went with him through the other tunnel which was filled with freezing cold water. Then we came back and met up with the other boy, and all went to the other side. When we got there, we started walking around, exploring, and having fun together.

Then I had another moment where I stopped and looked at the kids. They were beyond thrilled that someone was taking the time to hang out with them. Just the fact that someone had said "Sure, I'll spend time with you!" had made their day. 

Then I felt God say to me, "Why are you consistently putting the ministry I've called you to in a box?"

Hearing the voice of God can be a very awkward thing.

As I looked at the kids, I realized that the week wasn't wasted. It just wasn't what I had decided my ministry was going to be that week. That was who I was supposed to be reaching out to right then. That was where I was supposed to be.

It's something that I've been challenged on all outreach. People see the pictures of our sledding outreaches and think it's just all fun and games. And to be honest, the first time we did it, I thought it was weird. But that has been one of our most effective outreaches. Honestly, our most effective outreaches have been where we just hang out with people. 

See, here's the problem with us humans. There's the ministry that we've decided is our ministry, and there's the ministry that God has for us. If we're being honest, all of us put His ministry in a box at times. It's going to happen. But there's a question that we all have to answer at some point.

Are we willing to let God destroy our box?

In 2 and a half weeks we will be leaving Cahul for Chisinau, Moldova for a 2 day team goodbye trip, and then a 4 day debriefing in Kyiv before we officially graduate. The day after graduation, I will be on a plane back to the states. One of the things I felt God speaking to me before DTS was that missions was about what God was calling me to do right now. And I am really focusing on that right now. As I struggle with homesickness, I am fighting against loosing focus on this trip. This is where God has me. Approaching the finish line in ministry should always represent a chance to finish strong, not run from responsibility. 

However, the balance is that there is a constant calling to missions which will continue beyond this trip. DTS can never just be about DTS, because then it becomes an experience that makes us feel good. So while I am focused on the trip, I am not ignoring the fact that I will have a life after DTS, and preparing myself for that life. 

We have some exciting opportunities ahead in these last couple weeks. Tonight, I am helping lead an all night prayer meeting. We will be having a "Campaign For Life" event at a church soon as well, along with a couple evangelism outreaches. 

God will move in these last couple weeks.

And I have no doubt that He will destroy every box that is holding me back from the ministry I've been called to. 

Time to finish strong!