As we left Kosovo, we were now entering a country we never thought we would go to. This country was never on our expected route but we knew that everything could change! The next country was now Ukraine! Although we did not know we would be going there, I fully believe the Lord knew and orchestrated it perfectly.
We found out a week before we left Kosovo that we would be heading to Mukachevo, Ukraine. This is a smaller town on the western side of the country. Once we arrive at the airport we are picked up by the pastor, his wife and another missionary in this city. We were then taken to their home where we would be staying for the month. There was an apartment attached to their home that we got to stay in. With there being 5 of us, 3 of us shared a room and 2 took beds in the hallway.
As we ate meals with the pastor and his family and got to talking with them, I instantly felt at home. It also helped that they had the cutest and coziest home with their 2 children, a dog and a cat running around. It was refreshing and warming to be with a family and not on our own for the month.
After some conversation it was very clear that this family cared more about US than they cared about WHAT we could do for them and the church there. I was overwhelmed and shared with them through tears how thankful I was for that. I later found out that the pastor had read many of our blogs before we arrived and felt that it should be more of a restful month for us.
There were plenty of wonderful ministry opportunities that we got to partner in and I will post another blog to share more about that. However, for this one I want to share about the coziest month I’ve gotten to experience on the race! This month helped me realize that yes, we are on a mission to make Jesus more known to the nations, but we are not just machines that need to be constantly running from task to task.
We arrived on November 15th which meant the holidays were quickly approaching. We entered their home and the Christmas tree was already up! Many of us were starting to feel more homesick than usual. What a blessing it was to be in a home during this time with a pastor who was from America!! He came to Ukraine about 16 years ago and is now married to a wonderful woman from Ukraine. When we found out that they actually celebrated Thanksgiving and had the traditional meal, I am pretty sure some of us teared up. The entire church had Thanksgiving together and invited friends and family. At one point there were at least 80-90 people in one house on Thanksgiving day! Another team was close by and got to join us as well.
Throughout the month we got to cook and bake with our hosts. There was one day where we spent hours learning how to make cinnamon rolls from scratch. They were AMAZING! We also got to help prepare some of the items for the Thanksgiving meal which was a sweet time as well.
There were a few occasions when we were invited into other’s homes from the church and given a traditional meal. The hospitality we got to experience was so beautiful. Everyone made us feel so welcomed and loved.
Every Thursday night there was a Bible study at the pastor’s house that we got to be a part of. People from the church would all gather in the living room and dining room, worship together and study scripture. Many times I would look around and feel so thankful to get to be a part of the Church body that is in this small town in Ukraine. They are gathering, loving each other and doing life together. There were many times people would randomly show up to the pastor’s house to just chat and hang out. The pastor let us know that their house is always open and we truly saw that play out. I hope to be the same way in my home one day!
Toward the end of the month I even got to help wrap some of their kid’s gifts with our host as she prepared for Christmas. In all of this, I was rested, peaceful and this month I got to dig deeper in my Bible more than ever before in that cozy apartment with heated floors. The love we were shown, the rest that was provided and the beautiful moments shared are some of the reasons why this is a month I will look back on with such gratefulness. My next blog will share many more reasons!
Thank you for taking the time to read these updates. My hope is you also got to experience some beautiful and cozy moments during the holiday season with those you love. As you can see, I am playing catch up on blogs like usual! Thank you for your patience : )
So thankful for your sweet month in Ukraine. I was refreshed just by reading it! Praying that the Lord uses that rest, refreshment, and extra time spent with Him, to empower you for your next country and to remind you how much He loves you! I love you too!!
Psalm 62:5-8
Renee…sounds like a month in Ukraine that God definitely orchestrated for you and your team! I’m so thankful you had a time to be refreshed and renewed! Nothing is better than having time to sit at the feet of Jesus! What an opportunity to be with brothers and sisters all the way across the world AND serving Jesus together! LOVE YOU and PRAYING for you!
It was our honor to serve you, and help you get recharged for everything that was next.
Hi Renee,
It’s been a blessing to travel along with you. We look forward to you coming home and seeing your smile but you have taken me on a journey I would never be able to see.
Be safe. And blessed travels.
HI Renee, Thanks again for sharing you life journey with those of us back home. I’m glad that you all have had a chance to change the pace and slow down a bit. It’s always good to get a breather. Trusting that the Lord will continue to open doors of ministry as your trip continues. Your team continues to be in my prayers. Blessings John
Restful months are the absolute best! I am so glad your team was able to experience rest on so many levels.
Sounds like you were blessed to be in a home where there was the true gift of hospitality bestowed on you. So grateful.