Since deciding to go to Ukraine, we've been busy with a family cruise, Maggie's three work trips, a high school missions trip to the Dominican Republic, and starting preparations for our time in Ukraine. We've had a wonderful whirlwind last month-and-a-half, but thought it would be a good time for an update! Feel free to read about our current prayer requests as well.
Here are a few photos from the past month or so.
Here are a few photos from the past month or so.
Looking Back...
Many of you probably haven't heard the details surrounding our decision to go to Ukraine to serve with Maggie's uncle, aunt, and cousins (the Blessings). Perhaps last we spoke, we told you we were probably headed to Nepal. Well, here's the story:
First, a few seemingly irrelevant background facts.
Some facts the Blessings did not know:
1. We've been leading a group of 5-10 high school kids in a Bible study for the past 6 or so months.
2. Trey has talked for 1-2 years about wanting to plant a garden someday when we have a house.
3. Trey has expressed an interest in construction multiple times over the past few years.
4. Ukraine was probably the last place we thought we would go.
And a fact the Blessings did know:
1. We were happy to serve in whatever capacity was needed, but we specifically hoped to serve the poor as part of our ministry wherever we would go.
After months of praying about where to go and seeking various opportunities, in early June, we still hadn't felt a clear leading from God about where He would want us to go. This was strange, because we believed that the desire to do a year in overseas missions was from Him, but that's where the direction stopped. We had begun leaning towards going to Nepal, because this opportunity was one that seemed to stand out in a few various ways compared to some others we were considering.
First, a few seemingly irrelevant background facts.
Some facts the Blessings did not know:
1. We've been leading a group of 5-10 high school kids in a Bible study for the past 6 or so months.
2. Trey has talked for 1-2 years about wanting to plant a garden someday when we have a house.
3. Trey has expressed an interest in construction multiple times over the past few years.
4. Ukraine was probably the last place we thought we would go.
And a fact the Blessings did know:
1. We were happy to serve in whatever capacity was needed, but we specifically hoped to serve the poor as part of our ministry wherever we would go.
After months of praying about where to go and seeking various opportunities, in early June, we still hadn't felt a clear leading from God about where He would want us to go. This was strange, because we believed that the desire to do a year in overseas missions was from Him, but that's where the direction stopped. We had begun leaning towards going to Nepal, because this opportunity was one that seemed to stand out in a few various ways compared to some others we were considering.
From Left to Right: Lindsay, Krista, Rhonda, Mark, and Bria Blessing
One night in June, before going to bed, we agreed that the next day, we would email our contact in Nepal to indicate our interest in serving in his village and ask him several questions that were on our mind. When we awoke the next morning, we had an email from the Blessings, who have been missionaries in Ukraine for over 20 years. We were surprised, because we had contacted them in April to tell them we were planning to serve in missions and see if their ministry had any needs. They had indicated that they would pray about it and get back with us, but otherwise, we hadn't heard much from them, so we had thought the door to serve with them was closed. Their email indicated the exact opposite, however. Not only did they enthusiastically welcome our help, but several things about their email showed that this was a perfect opportunity.
1. They said a young couple currently helping out would be leaving in July, and they would love to have our help to fill that gap as much as possible. (We had prayed God would lead us to someone who specifically had been wanting a young couple's help.)
2. They indicated that they would like us to lead a young adult's group (ages 18-35), which would likely be some teaching and fellowship, etc. (Trey's teaching and leading of the high school Bible study was good preparation, as that was the first Bible study he has ever taught.)
3. In response to our desire to serve the poor, they told us that their ministry to the poor had been on hold and they had been wanting to restart it, but had only recently felt that it was the right time.
4. They said they could use some construction help on Bethel House, their house, which they are expanding to use for ministry purposes and for housing people in need. (The house is currently being opened up to refugees from Eastern Ukraine.)
5. They indicated that they could use our help with the community garden, which is used to feed aforementioned guests at the Bethel House.
Trey knew immediately that our prayers were answered. In disbelief, Maggie insisted on praying about it for a couple days, just to be sure :) We were so ecstatic that God had finally answered our prayers and made it incredibly clear where we should go! We have both had complete peace since deciding to go to Ukraine, and we can't wait.
1. They said a young couple currently helping out would be leaving in July, and they would love to have our help to fill that gap as much as possible. (We had prayed God would lead us to someone who specifically had been wanting a young couple's help.)
2. They indicated that they would like us to lead a young adult's group (ages 18-35), which would likely be some teaching and fellowship, etc. (Trey's teaching and leading of the high school Bible study was good preparation, as that was the first Bible study he has ever taught.)
3. In response to our desire to serve the poor, they told us that their ministry to the poor had been on hold and they had been wanting to restart it, but had only recently felt that it was the right time.
4. They said they could use some construction help on Bethel House, their house, which they are expanding to use for ministry purposes and for housing people in need. (The house is currently being opened up to refugees from Eastern Ukraine.)
5. They indicated that they could use our help with the community garden, which is used to feed aforementioned guests at the Bethel House.
Trey knew immediately that our prayers were answered. In disbelief, Maggie insisted on praying about it for a couple days, just to be sure :) We were so ecstatic that God had finally answered our prayers and made it incredibly clear where we should go! We have both had complete peace since deciding to go to Ukraine, and we can't wait.
Fall, Winter, and Summer at our apartment in Lucketts, Virginia. Despite our excitement about the next step, we are so sad to leave this wonderful home!
Looking Forward...
We are now in the midst of making arrangements to leave the country for 11 months. We bought plane tickets and are working on arrangements for health insurance, our cars, mailing addresses, etc. We sent out support letters last week, and we are awaiting God's financial provision for this trip. We are both finished working, and are using the last few weeks before leaving for preparations, rest and relaxation, quality time together, and seeing some friends and family before our departure.
Although we are mostly wrapped up in the details of preparation, we are getting very excited about our upcoming time in Ukraine. Maggie has downloaded several different Ukrainian apps and is trying to learn the Cyrillic alphabet and some basic Ukrainian phrases. Maggie's brother Michael is serving with the Blessing family right now, so we are enjoying hearing snippets about his experiences as we continue to pray and prepare for our trip.
We are looking forward to seeing God's hand at work in Ukraine in the coming months. Please be in prayer for us as we continue to prepare for our trip and head over there!
Although we are mostly wrapped up in the details of preparation, we are getting very excited about our upcoming time in Ukraine. Maggie has downloaded several different Ukrainian apps and is trying to learn the Cyrillic alphabet and some basic Ukrainian phrases. Maggie's brother Michael is serving with the Blessing family right now, so we are enjoying hearing snippets about his experiences as we continue to pray and prepare for our trip.
We are looking forward to seeing God's hand at work in Ukraine in the coming months. Please be in prayer for us as we continue to prepare for our trip and head over there!
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