Author: David

So… first few days.

DavidLeave a comment

Here’s an outline of my time in Ukraine so far:

July 27th (Tuesday) – fly from Indy to Chicago and then London
Wednesday – fly from London to Kyiv, then take an overnight train with Mike from Kyiv to L’viv
Thursday – arrive in L’viv, immediately take a bus to Ternopil for the 2010 Ukraine Worship Conference
Thursday-Saturday – in Ternopil for the conference
Saturday – went to L’viv, hung out with the Pratts during the day
Sunday – church at the Pratt’s house

I’m having a great time, learning a lot already, and meeting a bunch of really cool people.  While I was in Chicago, there was a big group in the airport of students and their leaders heading for North Africa to do some missions work.  That was super cool.  They needed some guitar strings, and I happened to have some in my guitar case.  On my flight from Chicago to London, I met a family from Switzerland that was returning with their daughters who were exchange students.  I got to talk to the dad for a long time.  While in London, I met another group coming back from Africa that was there teaching some kind of youth seminars or something with Salvation Army.  A bunch of them were from Messiah College.  There was another young woman in the airport that went a similar area in Africa that just got done teaching first aid.

When I got to Kyiv, going through Customs was a total breeze, praise the LORD!  Mike Pratt picked me up, we dropped off my bags at the check-in at the train station, and then spent some time around town.  We got my cell phone up and running (which, subsequently, has had a LOT of problems… :P), had some ice cream, and talked about vision.  God’s good, and He’s showing me through those talks that I really need to grow in prayer.

Something kinda crazy happened in the train ride to L’viv.  After I fell asleep on the train, I woke up once and knew where I was, especially because the conductor lady was talking to us in Russian to wake us up.  Then, later, I woke up again and thought I was in Indiana again.  When I realized where I was, I didn’t believe it.  I honestly thought, “No… I’m in Indiana.”

I think I spent about an hour in L’viv.  Mike and I went to McDonalds, and then he dropped me off at the bus stop.  I was soon in Ternopil, worshipping the LORD with the others at the conference.  God really spoke to my heart there, confirming a lot of things and encouraging me toward more pure worship of Him, spending time with Him personally.  It was so cool.  I also met Alyosha, the pastor from Kyiv.  That was really cool.  He was very encouraging.  A few of my friends were there from my other travels in Ukraine: Nate Medlong, Levi and Nastya Brinkerhoff, Jon Markey, and a few others.  It was a really good time of worship, the Word, and fellowship.  A-mazing.

Now, I’m back in L’viv, hanging with the Pratts.  Thanks a lot for all of the prayers and encouraging messages.  God is good.

An Amazing Send-Off

DavidLeave a comment

Today was super awesome.

First, the church prayed for me… both services.  People were all over the place encouraging me, lifting my hands, and just praising the Lord for His Work.

Second, families in the church expressed the reality that the Family of Christ really is my family.  I love the people at Horizon, and it’s just so cool to know that they love me, too.

Lastly, I had an awesome going away party.  Thanks for everyone that came.  Thanks for everyone that meant to come.  You all have been a blessing.

I really, really, really appreciate being sent.  I’ve seen many people leave churches and not be sent.  Our mission statement is: Win, Disciple, Send… and I am being Sent.  I knew when I graduated Bible college that I wanted to be sent out.  I didn’t know where, but I knew that I wanted the blessing of the people of God behind me, recognizing that what I was doing was for God.  I had no clear vision for it back then, but now I see the fulfillment of that desire.

Lord, thank You again for this family, this local body of believers that You have provided.