Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Cultural Glimpses
My language teacher was recently trying to explain a couple words to keep me from getting (more) confused. The Russian word for bank is the same as ours, but they also have a banka, which is a jar. She said in America we put our money in a bank, but in Ukraine they put their money in a banka, because they know at least it will still be there when they want it. Exchanges like this give us interesting glimpses of the mentality here!
In Ukraine the city of Donetsk is said to be the father of the Ukrainian mafia, and Odessa the mother. Although foreign investment appears to have increased since we last lived in Kiev in 2006, the corruption and poverty that are so ingrained here have not diminished. Immorality and drug use have also soared…. outside of Africa, many believe Ukraine has the highest HIV rate in the world. These realities will be important for us to keep in mind as we work with orphans.
Recently at a team meeting we were praying for various requests of Send’s missionaries in Ukraine. The list of requests included ministries such as teaching pastoral training courses in Russian, and it certainly portrayed an impressive depth of experience and giftedness…. people much more intelligent and educated than us! As I read this list and considered my own relative helplessness with the language, I felt very small. How will God ever be able to use us here? Then I remembered that we are not here because of a talent or education or something we can offer, we are here because of who Jesus Christ is. May this truth continue to transform us and those we meet as continue our life here.
In Ukraine the city of Donetsk is said to be the father of the Ukrainian mafia, and Odessa the mother. Although foreign investment appears to have increased since we last lived in Kiev in 2006, the corruption and poverty that are so ingrained here have not diminished. Immorality and drug use have also soared…. outside of Africa, many believe Ukraine has the highest HIV rate in the world. These realities will be important for us to keep in mind as we work with orphans.
Recently at a team meeting we were praying for various requests of Send’s missionaries in Ukraine. The list of requests included ministries such as teaching pastoral training courses in Russian, and it certainly portrayed an impressive depth of experience and giftedness…. people much more intelligent and educated than us! As I read this list and considered my own relative helplessness with the language, I felt very small. How will God ever be able to use us here? Then I remembered that we are not here because of a talent or education or something we can offer, we are here because of who Jesus Christ is. May this truth continue to transform us and those we meet as continue our life here.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Getting Settled
We have been in Odessa for over 3 weeks now, and it is slowly starting to feel like home. We live on the 5th floor of a 16 story building and our apartment is quite comfortable. Just about everything we need is within a 30 minutes’ walk so we are thankful to be in such a convenient location. Our days have been filled with gradually buying appliances and other necessities to set up our home, as well as language studies. The tiny dumpster that services our building has been overflowing since our arrival and I’m sure the rumors are flying about the Americans who bring out boxes & trash every time they go outside.
Our flight here was challenging with a dog and a baby, but customs officials barely looked at us (after the hours & numerous appointments Sarah put in to make sure Hanjik’s paperwork was in order), and we were able to hire a Ukrainian to help us navigate the confusing airport system with our mountains of luggage. Esther had severe jet lag combined with some serious teething for the first 10 nights so I’m sure we’re not very popular with our new neighbors. Fortunately Sarah’s parents were able to accompany us and help us with this transition, for which we are very thankful!
Now that the dust is settling from our move, the reality of our new life and the land that is now our home is beginning to hit us. Our emotions go back and forth, from joy that we are finally here to wondering why in the world we ever wanted to move to this country. At our commissioning service last November, we were reminded that missions is God’s idea, not ours. That truth, combined with the knowledge that God has called us here, is an assurance we will cling to in the upcoming months.
Our flight here was challenging with a dog and a baby, but customs officials barely looked at us (after the hours & numerous appointments Sarah put in to make sure Hanjik’s paperwork was in order), and we were able to hire a Ukrainian to help us navigate the confusing airport system with our mountains of luggage. Esther had severe jet lag combined with some serious teething for the first 10 nights so I’m sure we’re not very popular with our new neighbors. Fortunately Sarah’s parents were able to accompany us and help us with this transition, for which we are very thankful!
Now that the dust is settling from our move, the reality of our new life and the land that is now our home is beginning to hit us. Our emotions go back and forth, from joy that we are finally here to wondering why in the world we ever wanted to move to this country. At our commissioning service last November, we were reminded that missions is God’s idea, not ours. That truth, combined with the knowledge that God has called us here, is an assurance we will cling to in the upcoming months.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Where do we Belong?
As our possessions are somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean and we make our final preparations for moving to another country, I find myself reflecting on our new lack of an identity. Where do we belong? We have resigned from our jobs and much of the interaction we have with those in our community is tempered by the knowledge that we are leaving soon. We have loved our home and life here, but our hearts and focus are being directed to our upcoming life and ministry in Odessa.
I can recall from prior experience however, that this lack of belonging will not go away when we arrive in Ukraine. Every day it will be reinforced as we deal with a language and culture that is much different from ours. Our level of proficiency in these areas will increase but there will always be some differences, no matter how long we live there. We will never completely fit in.
I am learning to appreciate that this journey of missions can make me aware of truths I had not previously noticed. Certainly our proficiency must increase in living with and loving people where God has called us to live, but as sinners redeemed by Christ we should deal with this lack of belonging every day we are on this earth. Paul says in Philippians 3:20 that our citizenship is in heaven, reminding us that our true identity is tied not to a location or culture but to Christ Himself. As wonderful as this world can be, we were created for something much more fulfilling. This journey helps me remember that ultimately the question of where we belong must be asked of us not as missionaries, but of all of us as followers of Jesus Christ.
I can recall from prior experience however, that this lack of belonging will not go away when we arrive in Ukraine. Every day it will be reinforced as we deal with a language and culture that is much different from ours. Our level of proficiency in these areas will increase but there will always be some differences, no matter how long we live there. We will never completely fit in.
I am learning to appreciate that this journey of missions can make me aware of truths I had not previously noticed. Certainly our proficiency must increase in living with and loving people where God has called us to live, but as sinners redeemed by Christ we should deal with this lack of belonging every day we are on this earth. Paul says in Philippians 3:20 that our citizenship is in heaven, reminding us that our true identity is tied not to a location or culture but to Christ Himself. As wonderful as this world can be, we were created for something much more fulfilling. This journey helps me remember that ultimately the question of where we belong must be asked of us not as missionaries, but of all of us as followers of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Longing for Heaven
We recently finished a missions conference at Berean Baptist Church where we and 4 other missionary couples got to present our ministries and become part of their church body for a week. We weren’t sure what to expect heading into the week, but we were blessed in more ways than we could’ve imagined. I haven’t been around a church before that makes such an intentional and concentrated effort to promote missions and minister to missionaries. We were overwhelmed with the encouragement and love that was showered on us!
The end of the week brought a mixture of fulfillment and longing, but that longing reminds us we aren’t created for this world. The unity of fellowship & joy we experienced as we worshiped together gave us just a glimpse of what heaven will be like. As excited as we are to arrive in Odessa, we long even more for the day when we will not have to say goodbye to our brothers & sisters because we’ll be worshiping together in the Presence of our Savior!
The end of the week brought a mixture of fulfillment and longing, but that longing reminds us we aren’t created for this world. The unity of fellowship & joy we experienced as we worshiped together gave us just a glimpse of what heaven will be like. As excited as we are to arrive in Odessa, we long even more for the day when we will not have to say goodbye to our brothers & sisters because we’ll be worshiping together in the Presence of our Savior!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
That which costs me nothing
I was reading 2 Samuel 24 and I came across a very profound statement by David regarding the nature of worship. David is offering a sacrifice to atone for his sin in taking a census of Israel. He had clearly elevated himself above the Lord and his pride had brought judgment on his kingdom. David is instructed to offer his sacrifice on the property of a man named Arunah. Since David is king, Arunah tries to give David the material and animals for the sacrifice. However, David insists on paying and replies, "I will not offer a sacrifice to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing."
This statement reminded me of how often I try to give to the Lord that which costs me nothing. Salvation is a free gift, but following Christ costs. This leads me to ask, "What is my faith costing me?" Am I willing to sacrifice my pride, anger, time, money, the desire to be right and well-liked? Even in preparing to move to Ukraine I find myself with subtle expectations.... I'll move overseas but I still expect a fairly comfortable standard of living, I expect to be healthy, safe, etc. In our daily lives it is easy to approach our faith with a consumer mentality that only makes demands on God. David reminds us that a crucial aspect of worship is sacrifice, and that self-centeredness and worship are incompatible. After all, as Martin Luther once said, "A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing."
This statement reminded me of how often I try to give to the Lord that which costs me nothing. Salvation is a free gift, but following Christ costs. This leads me to ask, "What is my faith costing me?" Am I willing to sacrifice my pride, anger, time, money, the desire to be right and well-liked? Even in preparing to move to Ukraine I find myself with subtle expectations.... I'll move overseas but I still expect a fairly comfortable standard of living, I expect to be healthy, safe, etc. In our daily lives it is easy to approach our faith with a consumer mentality that only makes demands on God. David reminds us that a crucial aspect of worship is sacrifice, and that self-centeredness and worship are incompatible. After all, as Martin Luther once said, "A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing."
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