Relationships and Ministry

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.

We have built so many relationships with so many people and have had the blessing to see their hearts above all and hold them in our hands on many occasions. How fragile the human heart. It is as I have said many times before, a humbling experience. How sacred to see in to the hearts of those that serve Him. I have learned so much from these Kids and realize all that THEY have taught me. How is it that the ones you came to minister to, often end up ministering to you? I have seen the Lord through many here. It sounds so…”spiritual” to say all of this but how true it is for me.

The outreach group is going well. The numbers are consistent and the openness of the group continues to grow. This is such a miracle in some ways as some travel an hour and a half just to come to the group. We have 12 in the group. We added another member to the group; Lena. She is excited and hungry for truth. We are happy to have her be a part of the group. She is a lovely girl also.
The outreach is a “come as you are” atmosphere for youth that no matter where they are on their journey are welcome. Welcome to come and bring there fears, questions, struggles, and victories. We do not judge but we love them. We are really developing some good relationships which is a blessing because it is only with relationship that you can speak to the broken places in people. We are pleased with what is happening. We are waiting for Gods timing for when we are to expand the group.

I want so much for these kids to be free from the spiritual strongholds that control them and their country. To see them walk in freedom with their heads held high. Many are slunk down carrying a burden that can’t even be imagined. More then just about any help you can give them, what they need and want is for people to come along side, love them, teach them, champion them and tell them the truth. The team we are training is doing ministry and receiving freedom to be who they are. How awesome to see a person being made new not by our doing but by the truth of God and above all the Love of God.