Tonight as we started our conference with a time of singing and praising together, for a minute I didn't know where I was. I was looking up at a plaster ceiling with a light hanging down and it dawned on me that geography is irrelevant! I did not care where I was or what country I was in, I was just caught up in the moment pouring my heart out to God. I was surrounded by people who share the same passion for people in different parts of the world and we were singing with one voice to bring God praise! I will remember that moment for a very, very long time.
From Sunday to Wednesday I have been in 4 countries and have traveled in planes, cars, trains and a bus to get here. It is a sweet time. Tomorrow we spend the day as a group, in our teams and individually praying and fasting. Please pray for all of us to seek God's face and to listen to His voice.
I'm in Wisla, Poland for the European ReachGlobal conference with the Kyiv, Ukraine team and next week I will be back in Ukraine for a few days to touch base with ministry partners, look at some apartments and talk with the language school about this fall's schedule.
Thanks for walking this journey with me!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
"Stuff"
Where did the word 'stuff' come from? It's so all encompassing... Several years ago when I was in Ukraine on a short term trip I realized how often we said 'stuff' and how concerned we were with our 'stuff'. It was always, bring that stuff, leave that stuff, we'll get that stuff later and make sure we get rid of that stuff before we leave.
Is it based in our American-ness? We have telvision shows that run entire seasons on several networks focused on cleaning up and throwing out stuff that people accumulate. As affluence comes to a country or a region, do they get consumed with stuff too? And, is it difficult or freeing to get rid of stuff?
As I prepare to go on one last visit to Ukraine before moving there in October/November, I am getting rid of stuff. LOTS of stuff. I went through my clothes once and donated about 75% of what I own, but I realize I will need to do it again one last time so that I only take what I really want and need.
My task in my house is to pull anything that I am shipping to Ukraine in my bedroom. (This is not much...) And, pack up whatever I think I'll get excited about opening a box and finding several years from now... also quickly narrows things down when you think about it in that light. And, simply leave the rest to be sold in a moving/estate sale while I am overseas for 2 weeks.
It's not letting go that is difficult. In fact, more often than not, it is quite liberating. But, the ambiguity of where am I going to live in Kiev is sometimes the hardest thing to grasp. Hopefully I will find an apartment during my visit to squelch my nerves!
Is it based in our American-ness? We have telvision shows that run entire seasons on several networks focused on cleaning up and throwing out stuff that people accumulate. As affluence comes to a country or a region, do they get consumed with stuff too? And, is it difficult or freeing to get rid of stuff?
As I prepare to go on one last visit to Ukraine before moving there in October/November, I am getting rid of stuff. LOTS of stuff. I went through my clothes once and donated about 75% of what I own, but I realize I will need to do it again one last time so that I only take what I really want and need.
My task in my house is to pull anything that I am shipping to Ukraine in my bedroom. (This is not much...) And, pack up whatever I think I'll get excited about opening a box and finding several years from now... also quickly narrows things down when you think about it in that light. And, simply leave the rest to be sold in a moving/estate sale while I am overseas for 2 weeks.
It's not letting go that is difficult. In fact, more often than not, it is quite liberating. But, the ambiguity of where am I going to live in Kiev is sometimes the hardest thing to grasp. Hopefully I will find an apartment during my visit to squelch my nerves!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
