YOUR WILL, NOT MINE

As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, "yet not my will, but yours be done." This is to be our declaration if we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, but it's easier to say than to actually let go of the control we want to have over our choices.

A short while ago, when I returned to Canada from Ukraine, as I prayed about my future, I made a tentative decision based on what I had seen and experienced and what I thought was best for my future. For a couple of days, it seemed that I had made a wise choice, but then God began to challenge me in my spirit.

My pastor spoke that Sunday about surrendering control of our lives to God and he asked a pointed question: How stubbornly determined are we to live our lives the way we want to?

I had no rest in my spirit for several days as I wrestled with the possibility that I had allowed my will, my desires, my thoughts about what was best for me overrule what God wanted to do in and through my life.

I picked up a devotional book on July 9th and it was a devotional on John 7:17 which was exactly what I needed to hear...
To those who say they want to believe but can't, to the Christian who hesitates to launch out in full dependence on the promise of Christ, it offers an experiment. Reduced to its simplest terms that experiment amounts to this: Submit your will to God and you will know. Just as surely as it is impossible for God to lie, so everyone who honestly says to God, "I will do Thy will," will know whether the Lord Jesus spoke divine truth or only a human word. In light of this, it is the unsurrendered will that keeps men from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. No man can hold full title to his own will and at the same time really know God. Nor can a Christian hold partial title to his own will and realize to the full what God can do in his life.

That night, amid many tears, I confessed my stubbornness and desire for what I wanted my life and ministry to be and surrendered it to God, asking Him to lead me in His plans for me. I had immediate peace and release from the struggle I had been feeling in my spirit all week.

I do not claim to know yet where exactly God is leading me in ministry, but I DO know this: as long as I do not allow my desires, plans, hopes, etc. to take precedence in my thoughts and prayers, and as long as I truly listen for God's voice, I will know what He wants me to do. And that has brought me the peace I sought.

SO THANKFUL...

There is SO much to be thankful for as I reflect on the time I spent in Ukraine...
Here are some of the faces of the kids we were privileged to meet.




God was very faithful to us as a team – we had safe travel during the entire trip, not only in getting to Ukraine, but also while we were there, and no one was seriously sick or injured. We had approximately 24 hours of actual travel there and back and crossed several time zones, as Ukraine is 7 hours ahead of Ontario.

The missionary team we worked with was great and we had a lot of fun together. In the area of Ukraine where we were, Russian is the language that is mainly spoken, so it was really interesting trying to learn a little bit of the language to communicate. Several of the Ukrainians we worked with spoke good English, so that was helpful. Some of the kids we interacted with spoke some English as well, so it was fun to help them and have them try to teach us some Russian.

It was amazing to witness the way the missionaries interact with the children and to see the immense difference that God has made there through this ministry. The first week we spent most of our time with kids and youth at a Rehab Centre, and most of these kids come from very difficult homes (abuse, crime, etc), but they were so sweet and open. It was easy to make friends with them and they were so happy to have us come, and we were privileged to share the gospel with them. The children at the camp for the #9 Orphanage (that we visited the second week) were much the same, and they just need people to be involved in their lives and show them that they are loved and cared for.

The weather was nice and warm for the most part (almost too warm for my liking), but we did have a couple of days where it rained. There were a few things to adjust to – the bathrooms, and the crowded public transit, to mention a couple – but it was a very worthwhile cultural experience.

      On our last day there, we were privileged to have a tour of the surrounding area to learn about the Mennonite history since, for several members of the team, this is where our ancestors came from.


THANK YOU, GOD, for giving me this opportunity!!

UKRAINE 2011

Preevyet!
Sorry I haven't posted in more than 3 weeks - my life has been INCREDIBLY full with preparations for my 2-week mission trip to Ukraine!

This was something that I had discussed with the missions team of the EFCCM when I went for an orientation/interview in February. About mid-April, I was presented with the opportunity to join the team going to Ukraine in June. So I prayed about it and began tentatively making plans. Within the next few weeks, all of my financial support came in, flights were booked, and the onslaught of email communication ensued.

The other 6 team members are coming from points west (1 from Winnipeg, and the rest from Alberta), and we will meet for the first time in London on June 5th.

I have so much from the past couple of months to share with you, but I just have not had time with preparations and trying to fit in a bit of Russian language learning as well.
I am SO blessed to have this opportunity and I have a wonderfully supportive church family (as well as my own family)!!

The team will be ministering to young people in a rehab centre the first week, and at a summer camp for children from one of the many orphanages in Krivoy Rog during the second week. I am VERY excited and I am eagerly anticipating what God is going to do through our team and in us as well as we learn about another culture and about how to serve Him there.

I hope to have many pictures and stories to share when I return.
Spasiba - thanks - for the friendship and encouragement and support I have received from all of my friends.
See you later!