Coming Home from Ukraine -- "Carrying the Cross around the World"
First of all, thank you, thank you for your prayers & kind words of encouragement! By the grace of God, I have returned home now.
As I leave Ukraine behind, there’s so much to pray about. There is so much to process…so many precious new friends that I will carry in my heart. Though I’ve carried the cross in many nations at war and areas of conflict, I don’t think anyone can ever get used to it. Each time you hear thunder, your stomach twists as you wonder how many people were wounded or killed; every plume of smoke in the distance causes you to wonder what targets were just hit… I don’t know if it’s possible to not feel guilty about waking up in a warm, clean, dry bed when so many are waking up cold & shivering and hungry. So many are confused, grieving, fearful and angry. I’m together with my family, and yet so many don’t even know if their loved ones are alive.
It’s difficult not to be critical. As I walked through the airport on my return I saw an advertisement for a destination getaway. I saw a happy family building a beautiful sandcastle. In my mind, though, it was difficult not to see the image of the sandcastle lying in ruins and the family fleeing for safety. I KNOW that vacations are great! We are so blessed in our country that we can take advantage of family time away from the “busy”ness of life. It’s important. These are just some of the things that I have to process… I would appreciate your prayers.
I know it’s a process. I’ve walked this path before. It’s never easy. Yet, Jesus walks with me. He’s patient, loving, tender & kind and so very good. He takes what I’ve seen, heard and experienced to mold me more into His image — more tender, more loving, more patient, more giving and forgiving…more grateful. More ready for His next assignment for me. I want to be ready! I want to have a clean, pure heart so that I can see His beautiful face!
Once again, thanks so much for joining us on this journey through your prayers, messages of encouragement and gifts! It means more than you will ever know! We love you all! God bless you!
