blogs

David’s mom was recently diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. It came as quite a shock since she always seemed to be quite healthy and active. After much discussion and prayer we decided that David should return to the states for some time to get a good understanding of the reality of her condition as well as help with the decisions that need to be made about treatment and to be of moral support to his family. We also decided that I should stay and continue the work of the ministry. It was a hard decision to make but we believe that it was the right one. Being apart is hard on many levels. It can feel awkward to minister alone when you are so used to being a team. It also can get lonely. Even when I am busy I still miss him a lot. I do feel the Lord is giving me grace and peace but still it is not without struggle.

As usual it is difficult to explain all that is happening. Over the past month and a half the Lord has brought us some interesting opportunities. The opportunity to travel to different places in Ukraine and even an offer to go to Moscow, Russia to assist churches with their youth groups, youth ministries and raise up leadership. After hearing the ministry vision, some even want to send there own children to us to be a part of what is happening rite here in Kharkiv. The excitement here about what the Lord is doing can be very overwhelming. We have had to work hard at not letting it get away from us. We want to lay a strong and healthy foundation. It takes patience, of which I often have none, but we believe that it is the right thing to do.

It is such a temptation to look at numbers instead of value. Quantity vs. Quality. The process of building relationships here is time consuming and labor intensive but a huge blessing and a joy! We want to do more then "have" relationship but to be "in" relationship with people namely the youth we minister to. One of my favorite times is working with youth one on one. I enjoy getting to know them personally and being able to speak to the treasure in each one. I love to hear their hearts, their dreams, and their fears and just peek into the very essence of who God has created them to be. Even in unbelievers you can see glimpses of who God has created and is creating them to be.

It is the half way point in our stay here. (Sorry this was written quite a while ago and I have been slack in getting it on the website--david) As I look back on the time we have spent here, I am humbled at all that the Lord has done in us and thru us. I am challenged to not grow “faint” as we go in to the second half. Much ground has been taken with the youth here but there is so much more to do. Rob Bell in His book “Velvet Elvis” Says “that we should replace the word “missionary” with “tour guide” because we cannot show people something we haven’t seen ourselves. Or maybe it means teaching people to use their eyes to see things that have always been there: they just didn’t realize it. You see God where others don’t. And then you point him out.”

We came not because we are trained, equipped, or even qualified. We came simply because we heard the voice of God saying “whom shall I send”. And our reply was simply “Lord send us.” Our life is not based on what is logical or practical but what we believe is faith. Faith that God is who He says he is and He will do what he said he will do. There are many people more “qualified” to send here to this place but who will go? Will you? Will you sell all, give up all, and go? Go for the cause of Christ? This may sound confrontational but it is not. This is simply what we have done. Not for the money, the comfort, or the glory because there is none. But we came for Him because he asked us.

Youth and Young Adult ministry
We have been asked to begin a homegroup for newly dating couples and are considering this, but wondering where it will fit in. We have so many good relationships here and want to continue to strengthen them! We will have to make room for some changes soon. Our focus is on the youth and young adults and they really are our priority. Just an update on what has been going on with our involvement in youth group. We have been asked to speak at the 2 different youth groups at Father’s House 4 times. Once at the young youth and 3 times at the older group. We talked twice at the older youth, once on hearing the voice of the Lord with a response of 5 youth rededicating their lives to the Lord. Just this past Sunday the 10th we gave a teaching on communion which resulted in almost the whole group coming up for prayer to prepare their hearts for communion. Then we served them communion, wow what an emotional experience it became for us. What a blessing for us to be able to serve them! Christine also participated in a skit that was done as a TV talk show about friendships a few Sundays ago.