Be still and know...

And now, the rest of the story!  Having sent the email appeal with shaking hands, I sat back and watched God flex his muscles.  Within 24 hours, I received 2 checks and another pledge totalling $1500, the exact amount  needed for the first deposit on the trip!  In less than 5 days, checks, emails and phone calls came flooding in to fulfil the rest of the need for the International portion of the mission.  Several weeks later, another pledge was made which covered the domestic airfare. How's that for a confirmation? Any questions in my mind about fitting in as a member of a medical team were completely eradicated. When God shows up and leaves heavy footprints, He leaves no doubt as to Who made them! 

After 11 years of partnering with God as a humanitarian aid worker, I can't begin to describe the overwhelming sense of awe I have for God's sovereignty and ability to provide absolutely everything required for this adventure.

Here we are in an uncertain economy where families are struggling just to keep food on the table and God produces this abundance for me. Being the recipient of such love, grace and generosity is deeply humbling.  But the story isn't over..there is so much more!  Stay tuned...

Was that you, God?

It was a typical, summer morning in mid June.  Punky, Toofie and I had returned from our morning walk and I was sitting in my favorite chair, reading Scripture, when the phone rang.  Had it not been for a name that rarely comes up on the caller ID, the call would have gone unanswered.  I closely guard the quiet moments of the morning while I'm reading and talking to God.  It's the only time of the day when He could possibly get a word in edgewise in my crazy life!

Dasha, Talu & Dave Sanders - June 2009

As I picked up the phone, my friend, Dave Sanders, cheerfully greeted me with his usual, suave, style and so began the "pitch" for the medical team headed for Sumy, Ukraine on September 3rd.  He was looking for Occupational and Physical Therapists to help with a wheel chair distribution to needy, disabled persons.  My mind begin to flip through the faces of all the therapists I'm acquainted with thinking maybe I could recruit someone for the team. 

Then Dave asked the big question, "Would you consider going with us?"  Having not been to Ukraine for two years, I hedged a bit and said I would pray about it because I wasn't sure how I would fit in with a medical team.  However, in my heart a small flame began to kindle.  We had recently returned from a trip to Israel, I was not working outside the home and we had nothing saved to be able to pay for the trip.  Even if I wanted to go, the circumstances didn't look promising. 

After hanging up, I shared the news with my husband, Dan, and we started to pray about the possibility of me being part of the team.  An email was sent to every therapist I know and I made a couple of phone calls in hopes of recruiting one of the 7 therapists still needed.  With the registration deadline only two weeks away, most people could not commit to the time or the cost involved.

After a couple of days of praying, it became very clear that God was nudging me to take a step (leap) of faith and send in the registration fee of $50.  I was very hesitant to raise funds in light of the recent trip to Israel and the fact I was not employed, but it was my own foolish pride.  God was pressing me to trust Him by sending an email request to friends and family who were supportive of past mission trips.  It seemed like hours sitting in front of the computer trying to come up with just the right words. Hitting the send button took every ounce of strength I had and even after I did, I wondered what people would think.  But that is exactly where God wanted me...stepping through my fears into the unknown.

The faith journey will shake you up, tip you over, spin you around and hurl you right out of your comfort zone.  It can actually be quite painful because you have to let go of your preconceived ideas, pride, prejudice and your own will to move forward.  The upside is when you take what seems like the perilous first step, what follows will most likely blow your socks right off.  But that's the rest of the story which I will share another day!

FYI - Sumy, Ukraine is located East and slightly North of Kiev, the capital city.  Sumy is near the boarder of Russia and is at about 1 o'clock on the map.

2010 Update

So much has happened since my last adventure in Ukraine the summer of 2008.  My dear friends, John and Jean have adopted three brothers from an orphanage on the eastern side of Ukraine.  Dan and I met them for the first time in July....what a treat!  One of the highlights was attending "Life Fest" together. Life Fest is an outdoor Christian concert featuring a variety of Christian artists.  As you might guess, there was quite a variety of strange and wonderful food available from  outrageously unhealthy, deep fried, Oreos to Mongolian BBQ.  Above is little Daniel devouring an ear of fire roasted corn and Uncle Danny with Dennis and Daniel sporting their new shirts we brought them from KC.  In return, we each received a Packers t-shirt so our multi-cultural exchange took place on many levels!
Nick was determined to "lose" his second front tooth while we were visiting and spent much effort coaxing it along.  The night before we left, the tooth finally gave way with a last heroic effort after bedtime prayers.  Nick bounded out of bed and ran down the stairs  proudly displaying the tooth and his new gap which officially gave him the right to sing, "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"!  We all clapped and cheered while Jean took photos to commemorate the occasion.

While Uncle Danny entertained the boys, John, Jean and I followed a roughly translated recipe and came up with a fabulous kettle of Ukrainian borsh.  The borsh was made complete  with Jean's freshly baked  "pompushki" (little yeast rolls) with garlic sauce.  As we sat at the kitchen table savoring the aromatic borsh, sprinkled with fresh dill and a healthy dollop of sour cream, it  felt like a lot like being home.

By the end of our reunion, little Daniel was asking  Uncle Danny to hold him.  Quite amazing considering 4 months previous, 3 yr old Daniel was living in an orphanage and only knew 5 words in Russian!  God knew what He was doing when he created families.  The marvelous love of a Mommy, Daddy, two brothers and many family members has catapulted Daniel into a life he would have never even dreamed of as a disabled child living in an orphanage.

My fondest memory of the time we spent with this beautiful family is when we all gathered for bedtime Bible stories and prayers.  Nick, Dennis and Daniel each took turns along with Mom, Dad, Uncle Danny and Dasha thanking God for His provision of the day, for family and friends, concluding with a sweet song.  Next to God, I am convinced the power of a loving, God fearing family is the second most compelling force in the Universe.