I came to Ukraine primarily to finalize Vanya's adoption, but secondarily to be ready and available to minister to those around me. Unlike a well planned missions trip, I had no idea what exactly to prepare for. I simply came with an open heart and mind to engage with whatever God allowed.
So.....those around me?.........teenagers. And I have been so very blessed. Not having raised a teenager yet, I'm open to advice and insights regarding these unique growing years. I have a book at home entitled, "Age of Opportunity". As I anticipate parenting my own teenagers, I cling to the idea of these years presenting a unique window for kids to blossom as they begin to discover and engage with God's purposes for their lives.
I actually haven't read this book cover-to-cover yet (although I DO need to make that a priority SOON), but I feel that in God's grace He has allowed me to see and experience what it looks like to have teenagers whole-heartedly living for the Lord during their "Age of Opportunity" since I've been here in Ukraine.
It took a committed group of beleivers to introduce these kids to their Savior. And once they embraced Him, they endeavored to live for the cause of Christ with very little love, support, or resources to spur them on. I have been blessed to witness their unwavering commitment to Christ even in the contexts of their horrific pasts, their hostile present, and their unpromising futures. Indeed, I have been blessed. They tell their stories freely. Their stories of pain, shattered lives, mountains of disappointments, but also their stories of salvation and the hope that it brings in the midst of much darkness.
I trust too that God has allowed me to be a blessing to them. I have enjoyed showering them all with motherly love......a love that many of them have not experienced in a long time, and for some, ever at all. We've enjoyed many occassions of baking in the kitchen together (a brand new experience for them), laughing over and playing simple games, praying together over meals, long walks in the park, birthday cakes, and many freely given hugs and words of encouragement.
I have also sought to provide them with resources to help them manage their lives a little easier. Small gifts, by American standards, go far for the orphan here in Ukraine. Many of them don't even recall the last time they've been given a gift. I've been so thankful to God for giving me the ability to give to these precious kids.
Overall, these kids are all survivers. They have survived so much and as they band together in their faith and under the direction of the church, they will continue to "shine like stars in the universe" (Phil 2:15) for their Lord, who has NOT forgotten them (Is. 49:15).
So, what does this mean for me? For you? For every believer? We MUST let these kids into our hearts and lives. Scripture leaves no room to consider this an option.
- Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27
- When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don’t go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do. Deuteronomy 24:19
- Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17
- And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. Matthew 18:5
Whatever venue God leads you to, you will NEVER go wrong to welcome, love, give to, pray for, talk with, and be Christ to the orphan. Be the family that God desires to come alongside these lonely ones (Psalm 68:5-6). You will be blessed.
Creation Groans from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.
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