Romania

The one week countdown is here! I'm still working on packing for a 6 month trip, but I am really excited! This is such an amazing opportunity, and I'm excited to go out and make an impact in this world.

Well, I covered both Ukraine and Moldova, so I wanted to try to give a little bit of information on Romania, as so many of you guys are supporting me through prayer and support. Like I said with Moldova, it's harder for me to give an idea about two countries I haven't been to, but ever since we found out we'd be going to these two countries, I've been doing research and praying for them. So basically, here's what I've discovered about Romania, and what I feel God is speaking to me about our outreach in this nation!

Romania officially gained its independence in 1878. In 1944, Romania was overrun by the Soviets, and in 1947, a Communist "people's republic" was formed. Nicolae Ceausescu took power in 1965. His Securitate police state became more and more oppressive as time went on, and Ceausescu was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Communists continued to dominate the government until 1996, when they were finally removed from power. Romania joined NATO in 2004, and the European Union in 2007.

The official Romanian language is Romanian. I guess that's a little predictable. Romania has hot summers, and long cold winters. Their seasons are very distinct. It snows very often from December to mid-March, which will be a new experience for me! While Moldova sounds like it will be a slightly less intense winter than the Ukraine, the most common words that come up when I research Romania's winter climate are words like "harsh" and "punishing."

Today, Romania struggles with poverty. They are one of the poorest nations in all of Europe. The country recovered from a punishing 3 year recession in 2000, thanks to a large demand in European Union export markets. While at times the economy has shown signs of growth, it has never been lasting or stable. Romania signed a 24 month precautionary stand-by agreement with IMF/EC/World Bank worth 4.9 billion in March 2011. This was done to promote compliance with fiscal targets, progress on structural reforms, and financial sector stability. The government has announced they will not draw funds from the facility.

Again, this really is a pretty black and white issue. We can't say we're not called to help and come alongside the poor. We were commanded to. So it's a simple fact that God is working in this situation, and we're going to try to play a part in His plan. We would really appreciate your prayers!

I really wanted to focus this post on what the main issue in Romania is. Human trafficking is rampant in this Eastern European nation. It's a big issue in Ukraine and Moldova, but Romania is a main hub for trafficking.

I posted this in my thoughts about Moldova, but just to put it in perspective again, every country is put into "tiers" when it comes to human trafficking. Tier 1 are the countries whose governments fully comply with the TVPA'S (Trafficking Victim's Protection Act) minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Tier 2 are the countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA'S minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards, and Tier 3 are the countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA'S minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so. 
Romania is considered a Tier 2 country. However, while the government is making strides to fix this issue, the issue has gotten so out of control that Romania is still a centerpiece in human trafficking.

Romania has become a major transit for the sale of people into the European Union. It is also a destination country for a small number of foreign trafficking victims, including sex trafficking victims from Bangladesh, Serbia, and Moldova. Places such as Afghanistan, Honduras, China, and the Congo will transport victims as young as 12 years old to Romania. While steps have been taken by the government, and official Romanian law prohibits the act of trafficking,  one of the biggest issues is with the location of Romania. A crossroads between the East and the West, Romania is a source, transit, and destination country for the people trade. When Romania joined the European Union in 2007, this led to relaxed border regulation, and it became a huge attraction for international human traffickers. 

Children are estimated to represent one third of human trafficking victims in Romania. Romanian children without proper identification documents are even more vulnerable to be victimized. Traffickers who exploit Romanians for trafficking are overwhelmingly Romanian themselves. They typically target victims from the same ethnic group, or at times from their own family. Often, victims will first be exploited in Romania, then shipped abroad for forced prostitution or labor. Reports have come out from the Romanian government of increased sophistication among Romanian criminal groups, transporting victims to different countries in Europe in order to test law enforcement weaknesses in each nation.

The Government of Romania does not fully comply with the minimum standards set by the TVPA for human trafficking. However, it is making efforts to do so, hence the tier 2 ranking. They have taken some steps to pursue human traffickers and have conducted creative anti-trafficking prevention efforts to sensitize the population to trafficking in persons. However, services available to trafficking victims are very weak. The government has provided no funding to anti-trafficking Non Government Organizations, putting civil society victim protection in danger. The care offered by the government has often been minimal, failing to meet the victims' needs and reduce their chances of being re-victimized.

Human trafficking is a pretty popular issue right now. There's a lot of attention being paid to it, and it goes on everywhere. Which is a really good thing, don't get me wrong. But the fact is, a lot of people are just into it because it's a "cool" thing to be interested in right now. Occasionally, people will get excited for a few days if somebody makes a cool video or comes up with a catchy slogan. And if you ask those people they'd probably say they were involved in this issue. But I think at times people don't care enough about the actual issue, as much as looking cool by saying that they're against human trafficking. Do we really know as much about this issue as we should? This isn't just an issue in Romania, it goes on everywhere, including right here in America. We should be doing our research on this issue because, the fact is, we have a responsibility to stand with these people.

Psalm 82:4: "Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." There's so many places where God speaks of rescuing oppressed people. These people are being attacked. This is a spiritual battle that we don't always feel like we need to fight. I'm not saying, we all need to go to all these places, or that we need to pledge support to every single organization that deals with this, but are we paying attention? Most importantly, are we praying for these people? Or here's the one question that I struggle with a lot:

Are we praying for the human traffickers?

They need prayer too. It's not easy and it feels weird at times. But Jesus loves every single one of them, and He died for them too. They need Jesus just like the rest of us do. We shouldn't just be praying for the victims to get out of this life, we should be praying for everyone involved with this issue (government, victims, traffickers) to be set free.

As you can see, all three countries that we'll be reaching out to have many of the same issues. They're all broken in their own ways, and they all need Jesus. This is why I'm going. These countries need God.

Again, I'm sure I'll have much more info on these nations once I'm actually there and seeing them for myself. Please pray for everything to go smoothly in this next week! You can contact me by phone at 813-449-0804, email at joshholmes19@gmail.com, or Facebook. If you would like to support me, check out my GoFundMePage at  (http://www.gofundme.com/130ajw?pc=fb_cr). Also, go "Like" my Facebook page  Josh's Discipleship Training School With YWAM Kyiv, Ukraine, at http://www.facebook.com/joshukrainedts.

I appreciate you guys!

Moldova

Well, in 9 days I will be on a plane headed to Kyiv, Ukraine:) I am getting more and more excited every day! I just really feel strongly that God is going to do incredible things through us to reach the 3 countries we'll be going out to. The heart of missions work really isn't all that complicated. We know God has called us to reach out to the ends of the earth to make His name famous, so really, all we have to do is show up. We try to over think it at times, but it's not like you have to doubt if God's called you to do it....it's in the Bible!

The three countries that God has called me and my team specifically to go to are Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania. Moldova and Romania are going to be slightly more difficult for me to give perspective on, as I've never been to either country, but I'll try to share what I've learned from research, and what I feel God is speaking to me!:)

Whenever I tell people that I'm going to Moldova, I get a pretty standard response: "Oh, Moldova! Um...where's that again?" And to be honest, I didn't know much about it either until I found out we'd be going there. It's a nation located in Eastern Europe between Romania and Ukraine (notice a trend?). Moldova declared itself an independent state in 1991, and in 1994, the new constitution of Moldova was adopted. 

The official language of Moldova is Moldovan, which is the same as the Romanian language. Moldova is called "the sunny land" by some as it is sunny for roughly 240 days of the year. The coldest month of their year is January, which you guessed it, is right around when we will be there. While I've been told it's slightly warmer than Ukraine, I've also been warned to expect cold temperatures and plenty of snow.
Basically, I'm going to be freezing for the entire 6 months.

 We don't know yet the exact specifics of what we're doing, but we have been informed by the leaders of our team that we will have an anti human trafficking theme for the outreach. While I'm no expert on this issue in Moldova, I've done some research, and this is a big issue in Moldova. 

Evidently, Moldova is a source, and to a lesser extent, a transit and destination country for women trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation, and for men trafficked for forced labor. Every country is placed into a different "tier" when it comes to human trafficking. Tier 1 are the countries whose governments fully comply with the TVPA'S (Trafficking Victim's Protection Act) minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Tier 2 are the countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA'S minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards, and Tier 3 are the countries whose governments do not fully comply with the TVPA'S minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.  Moldova is considered a tier 2 country. Moldovan women are forced into prostitution in Turkey, Russia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, the UAE, Kosovo, Israel, Indonesia, Malaysia, Lebanon, Italy, Greece, Czech Republic, and Ukraine and Romania. Men, women, and children are forced into labor in Russia, Turkey, the UAE, Israel, Greece, and Ukraine. Some Moldovan children are subjected to forced begging in some neighboring countries.

It's not like this is just an issue in Moldova, it goes on everywhere and this is something that we should all be paying attention to. However, I am excited to get a chance to have an impact in this area in Moldova and Romania, where human trafficking is even worse. I really believe God is going to work through us on this issue. PLEASE pray specifically for this. This is going to be a main focus on our trip, and despite what some people think, this stuff DOES go on everywhere, and it's a big deal. 

One of the biggest issues in Moldova is the poverty. Industry accounts for 20% of it's labor force, while agriculture's share is more than one third. Moldova is one of the poorest countries in all of Europe. This goes back to my original point. In Proverbs 29:7, it says "A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge." There are countless times in the Bible where it speaks on loving the poor. Jesus commanded us to do so. So I have no doubt that we're called to help with the issue of poverty in Moldova. God already told us to.

I don't know much about Moldova yet, although I'm sure I'll be able to give you guys much more information once we start studying for our outreach and once we actually get to Moldova. But I do feel like God is going to use us in this nation. I'm excited about getting there, and I'm excited about this trip. Like I said, I have no doubt that this is a mission from God. I'm just showing up.

You can contact me by phone (813-449-0804 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            813-449-0804      end_of_the_skype_highlighting), email (joshholmes19@gmail.com), or Facebook. Also, if you would like to support me you can check out my GoFundMePage (http://www.gofundme.com/130ajw?pc=fb_cr), or contact me for more information. Also, if you haven't already, go "Like" my Facebook page, Josh's Discipleship Training School With YWAM Kyiv, Ukraine, at http://www.facebook.com/joshukrainedts.

Please keep praying!

Ukraine

Well it seems like just yesterday that I decided to jump into what God was doing in Kyiv, Ukraine and my life, but the reality is that the trip is almost here, and in exactly two weeks, I will be on a plane headed to the Ukraine!

As I am asking so many of you guys to support me and stand with me in prayer, I decided that it would probably be a good idea to give you guys a bit of perspective and insight into the countries that me and my team be ministering in. I'll be updating this blog with thoughts on all three countries over the next week:)

Of the three countries we'll be reaching out to in the Fall Semester of the Discipleship Training School at YWAM Kyiv, the Ukraine is the one that I actually have a unique perspective on, as I was able to spend a part of my summer last year connecting with the people and culture of Ukraine.

During World War II, the Ukraine was heavily impacted. This took a heavy toll on the country, and after the war a devastating famine took place that took tens of thousands of lives. One of the first things that I noticed in Ukraine, and something that stuck out to me and several team members throughout the trip was the overwhelming feeling of sadness in the people. I can remember having a conversation with a native who explained to me that the country had not fully recovered from the devastation and pain caused from that time in their history. There is almost a cloud of sadness that seems to hang over the city at times, and the impact of past events are still being felt.

Another thing that I was informed of by Ukrainians at the beginning of the trip was that Ukranians are very relational. One of our translators said the best way to describe it was that Ukranians might be a bit stand offish when first approached, but if you really make an effort to talk with them and get to know them, they will open up and have conversations with you. One of my favorite things about the Ukraine trip was the opportunity to go into downtown Kyiv, and simply talk with people. While some people are more reserved than others, a majority of the people we spoke with were willing to interact with us and listen to what we had to say. While Ukranians do have their own language (similar to Russian), most of the people I spoke with either spoke some English or were very willing to attempt to communicate. At times it took getting a little bit creative, but there were very few instances of someone being unwilling to try to communicate with us.

I'm going to be honest, a pretty big highlight for me was the food. A main Ukranian dish, and one we had quite often, is Borscht. Essentially, it's soup made with beets.
I'm not a huge beets guy. Soup isn't my favorite.
I love Borscht.
I know, I don't really understand it either. But I could probably eat several bowls of Borscht a day and be pretty happy.

The weather is pretty warm in the summer. It was warm for most of the time we were there last summer, although I got chilly on a couple occasions, but I'm pretty sure that might have something to do with the fact that I'm from Florida. The Fall is not so much rainy as cold, and Kyiv can get very snowy and icy, which will be an extremely new experience for me. The coldest part of the winter is November to February/March. So I'll experience about a month of the heart of Ukranian weather before we head to Moldova and Romania, where it will also be cold temperatures.

One of the biggest issues in Ukraine is the orphan situation. There are thousands of orphans in Ukraine. Alcoholism is a main cause for loss of parents, as well as abandonment and imprisonment of parents. We were able to minster at an Orphanage while in Ukraine last year, and it was a life changing experience. To be able to go in and make those kids feel special for a day, form connections with them, reach out to them, is simply incredible. I've played soccer for 10 years. I love the game, I have a lot of great memories. But one of, if not the most, rewarding moments I've experienced with soccer was running around in a field of grass with a ton of kids from the orphanage and playing "keep away" with two teams (forming the teams as we went and changing them when somebody decided that they actually wanted to be on the other team). No structure, no strategy, just developing a relationship with these kids and making them happy. This is a crisis going on in the Ukraine, and it needs attention.

One of the main things I've heard people from Ukraine say is that, as a nation, Ukraine lacks an identity. They have so much pain, and so much sadness. But you can really feel that God is doing something. I really feel that it's time to step up and stand with the people of Ukraine, and help this nation find it's identity.

As I stated before, I really connected with the Ukraine. I felt at home and developed a passion for Kyiv and the surrounding area. I loved the people, I enjoyed the culture, I just really feel passionate about this nation. I'm sure I broke some writing rule for overusing the word passion, but that's honestly the best way to describe my emotions toward Ukraine. I want to reach out to the people, I love them as a nation. I feel very strongly about this country and I feel passionate about what God is doing there!

I don't pretend to be an expert because I went to Ukraine for a few weeks last summer. I also realize that Kyiv has probably changed in the year I've been gone. But I do feel for this nation, and wanted to give you guys an idea about the place that God has called me to go on this crazy journey.

I'll be posting my thoughts on our outreach to Moldova and Romania soon:) Please keep praying for me:) You can contact me at 813-449-0804, joshholmes19@gmail.com, or Facebook. If you would like to support me, check out my GoFundMe Page at  http://www.gofundme.com/130ajw?pc=fb_cr , or contact me for more details. Also, go "Like" my Facebook page Josh's Discipleship Training School With YWAM Kyiv, Ukraine (http://www.facebook.com/joshukrainedts). 

Thanks for reading!:) 

My Call To DTS

Well, after the months of waiting, I leave for my DTS in Ukraine in close to two weeks! The past year has been an incredible journey for me as I have made the decision to pursue what God is doing in my life, and in YWAM Kyiv.

Last year I had an incredible opportunity to go on a short term missions trip with YWAM Orlando to Ukraine, and the second I heard about the opportunity, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wanted me on that trip. Going into that trip, I was preparing to apply to several colleges that I wanted to attend, and a DTS was not really on the table for me at the time.

This experience was amazing for me, and stretched me and grew me in several different areas. From the second I got to Kyiv I felt immediately at home. The feeling only grew as the trip went on, and by the end of the trip, I was strongly considering a DTS. Although I was a little hesitant at first, I knew that this was what God wanted for me and I decided to attend the Fall Semester for YWAM Kyiv's DTS.

Over the past year, my excitement has grown every day, and I feel very ready for this experience. While there are going to be several challenges, I feel strongly that this is where I'm meant to be:)

For those of you who don't know, a DTS (Discipleship Training School) is a school done through YWAM (Youth With A Mission) that has a lecture phase, and then follows it up with an opportunity to "do the stuff" and reach out to the world. There will be a lecture phase from September to December, and then we will be doing Outreach until February. The lecture phase will be done in Kyiv, and our Outreach locations will be Moldova and Romania:)

I would really appreciate prayer for this upcoming opportunity and I appreciate all the support you guys have already given me:) I have already purchased most of my cold weather clothes (which for a guy who has spent pretty much his entire life in Florida, was no small task), and I am beginning the process of finding a way to bring what I need for 6 months in a suitcase (also a little difficult at times). Please pray for patience over the next couple weeks!:)

For those of you interested in supporting me, you can contact me at 813-295-1051, joshholmes19@gmail.com, or on Facebook. For those of you that already have, thank you SO much:) For the people that have been praying for me and encouraging me, it means more than you know. And I'm really not just saying that, it makes a difference. I recently came across a Ukrainan proverb that simply states "Fire Begins With Sparks." Which may sound really simple, but God's really speaking that to me. God will take care of the fire. If we just focus on being the sparks, He'll use us in ways that we never though of. Being a spark may mean to me going across the world to share Jesus, but being a spark may also mean praying for and standing with the people going out. We need everyone on the team, not just some parts.  All of you guys are really not only pouring into my life and what God is doing for me, but you're also making a difference in Ukraine, Romania, and Moldova and all the people that we're going to reach. Missions isn't just about the people doing the work, it's also about the people that stand alongside the people in the field. Prayer is a very powerful tool, and we sometimes don't use it enough. So honestly, thank you guys:)

As you can tell from this blog, I'm not an incredible writer. I make mistakes. I'm an imperfect person. I'm not a "superstar christian" or anything like that. I'm honestly just a kid from Florida who wants God to use me however he wants, and wants to change this world however He wants me to. That is why I am going across the world to go on this crazy, awesome (and cold), journey to continue walking in God's plan for my life.

I'll continue posting on this leading up to and throughout the DTS:) Thank you for the support!:)