Monday, December 18, 2006
Odessa 2006
I finally decided to take the time to post new pics from my trip to Odessa in October 2006. I am beginning the process of raising funds for my trip. If you would like to support me financially or by prayer, please let me know! Also, if your church would like to have me come speak, I would love to share about my time there and what I will be doing. I am planning to speak at Bryant Wesleyan (March 25), West Chester Wesleyan (date TBA), and North Park Wesleyan (date TBA).
Odessa 2006
Hanging out at First Step Center
Samir
Crafts at First Step Center
He liked the stickers :)
Jennifer, Leeza, and me at First Step Center (saying bye to Leeza)Odessa 2006
Hope House
Stairs at Hope House
The kids doing a skit for us at Hope House
Paper airplanes!
The Farm at Hope HouseOdessa 2006
The Black Sea
Odessa Airport
A Ukrainian Orthodox Church
next to the Black Sea
The Black Sea
Odessa 2006
At Shepherd's Home
Katiya and me
The team and our interpreter
Catacombs (underground tunnels)
more in the catacombs (that is a shooting target in the back)
Odessa 2006
McDonald's!
Squatters at the mall!
Opera House
My very own shoe store...I think I may start spelling my name that way.
At the Ukrainian Restaurant where I ate duck!
Thursday, December 7, 2006
Let's try this again...
I haven't updated this blog for almost a year...but I decided to try it again. I want this to be a way of updating everyone in what's going on in my life (specifically related to becoming a missionary to Ukraine). I deleted most of my old blogs, except for the ones about Ukraine. Those blogs and pictures were from my first trip to Ukraine.
While I was on that trip, I felt God calling me to trust Him even more and become a Go-Net missionary for a year. At that point, I had no clue where or when. I got back and pursued it for a little while, but soon became busy with a new job and living in a new place. I never forgot about the calling, but I wasn't being proactive about it. Then in the spring of 2006, I felt God telling me that it was time to think about it seriously again. This time, I could not just push it aside. I contacted Global Partners and started the process of becoming a Go-Net missionary. At that time, I also felt God still laying the country of Ukraine on my heart and I knew that's where I needed to be. Global Partners works with World Hope Canada and World Hope Ukraine in Odessa, Ukraine. Since I had not been to Odessa yet, I was given the opportunity (on short notice) to go to Ukraine with a small group from World Hope Canada. I was able to get off of work and take the week long trip! I found out about the ministries that are taking place in Odessa through WHC. There is a small orphanage/children's home called the Hope House. A Ukrainian, Christian couple are the parents there. There is also a teen girl home called the Shepherd's home. I fell in love with these girls the minute we met them! There is also a place called the First Step Center where street kids can come in, hear about God, do a craft, play a game, sing worship songs, get a shower, change clothes and get a meal. Unfortunately, they can't spend the night there, but at least some of their needs are being met! As you can tell, I loved my week there! I told one of my fellow travelers that I was ready to go home, only because I knew I needed to do some things to prepare to come back. I can't wait to go back to be with those kids.
When I returned home, I got in contact with Global Partners again and have recently been appointed as a Go-Net missionary to Ukraine. I am hoping to have my funds raised by August! There's a lot of things that need to be done before I go, but I know that God will be with me and I am so excited to see what He's got in store for my life!
While I was on that trip, I felt God calling me to trust Him even more and become a Go-Net missionary for a year. At that point, I had no clue where or when. I got back and pursued it for a little while, but soon became busy with a new job and living in a new place. I never forgot about the calling, but I wasn't being proactive about it. Then in the spring of 2006, I felt God telling me that it was time to think about it seriously again. This time, I could not just push it aside. I contacted Global Partners and started the process of becoming a Go-Net missionary. At that time, I also felt God still laying the country of Ukraine on my heart and I knew that's where I needed to be. Global Partners works with World Hope Canada and World Hope Ukraine in Odessa, Ukraine. Since I had not been to Odessa yet, I was given the opportunity (on short notice) to go to Ukraine with a small group from World Hope Canada. I was able to get off of work and take the week long trip! I found out about the ministries that are taking place in Odessa through WHC. There is a small orphanage/children's home called the Hope House. A Ukrainian, Christian couple are the parents there. There is also a teen girl home called the Shepherd's home. I fell in love with these girls the minute we met them! There is also a place called the First Step Center where street kids can come in, hear about God, do a craft, play a game, sing worship songs, get a shower, change clothes and get a meal. Unfortunately, they can't spend the night there, but at least some of their needs are being met! As you can tell, I loved my week there! I told one of my fellow travelers that I was ready to go home, only because I knew I needed to do some things to prepare to come back. I can't wait to go back to be with those kids.
When I returned home, I got in contact with Global Partners again and have recently been appointed as a Go-Net missionary to Ukraine. I am hoping to have my funds raised by August! There's a lot of things that need to be done before I go, but I know that God will be with me and I am so excited to see what He's got in store for my life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)