All plans are going strong for leaving after the first week of April! I have recently mailed Christmas letters with updates on what I will be doing in Ukraine with New Life Church. If for some reason you do not receive one and you would like to, please let me know!
I will be updating this page with links to videos and photos to help you get to know New Life Church and see the work I have been doing and will be doing this coming year.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Season of Transition
I'm in that in-between state, the one where the things I did to try to shape myself in the past are in the past and the things that will shape me in the future are, well, largely in the future.
This past week was a little slow. Business buying and selling guitars was spent waiting for buyers through the first part of last week. I spent some time being quiet and reading. The next five months or so will be a time of preparation. I started a book by worship pastor Brian Doerksen. One bit that I read today caught my attention because I feel that it is my story and God's challenge for me, right where I am at:
God is looking for purity. God is looking for our hearts. He will use our gifting and talents in the kingdom, but only if they are first tempered through the refining fire of God's holiness, only if we can lay down our gifts at His feet. He tells us when we are to pick them up again, if ever... Worship begins with what we are willing to surrender to God.
One reason I feel like this is where I am at is because I gave up most of the work I had playing guitar this past winter. God was clearly calling me out of some gigs on conviction reasons and then shutting doors on others that were not so clear. Sometimes I sit and feel like I am doing nothing, almost a guilty sense that I am just being lazy to not take on more of the gigs that come my way. But deeper than that, I know these gigs are not where God has called me.
The things I had previously used to gain approval in my own eyes or in other people's eyes are now things I have allowed to rest dormant for a season. I am looking forward to picking up my guitar more often and using the instrument specifically for God's purposes this coming spring when I begin working with the worship team in Ukraine. That's where I am at. That's where I am going. I thank God for the changes past, the changing present, and the changes to come.
This past week was a little slow. Business buying and selling guitars was spent waiting for buyers through the first part of last week. I spent some time being quiet and reading. The next five months or so will be a time of preparation. I started a book by worship pastor Brian Doerksen. One bit that I read today caught my attention because I feel that it is my story and God's challenge for me, right where I am at:
God is looking for purity. God is looking for our hearts. He will use our gifting and talents in the kingdom, but only if they are first tempered through the refining fire of God's holiness, only if we can lay down our gifts at His feet. He tells us when we are to pick them up again, if ever... Worship begins with what we are willing to surrender to God.
One reason I feel like this is where I am at is because I gave up most of the work I had playing guitar this past winter. God was clearly calling me out of some gigs on conviction reasons and then shutting doors on others that were not so clear. Sometimes I sit and feel like I am doing nothing, almost a guilty sense that I am just being lazy to not take on more of the gigs that come my way. But deeper than that, I know these gigs are not where God has called me.
The things I had previously used to gain approval in my own eyes or in other people's eyes are now things I have allowed to rest dormant for a season. I am looking forward to picking up my guitar more often and using the instrument specifically for God's purposes this coming spring when I begin working with the worship team in Ukraine. That's where I am at. That's where I am going. I thank God for the changes past, the changing present, and the changes to come.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Big Update
It's time to make a rather large update on my journey with Ukraine. I have taken a few days since I returned home to pray and ask God to settle a decision in my heart. At this point it looks like I will be moving for a year-long internship with New Life Church. I am shooting for May as a departure date. A lot of things will be in flux between now and then, but it is good to have a goal to work toward. If I am able to save or raise money quicker, I may start sooner. Good news: Looks like I can live on $1000/month over there. Bad news: it's a heck of a lot harder to make $1000 over there than here.
I just started reading the updated edition of Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. I read the second installment this morning. I think this quotation summarizes where I am at:
One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don't know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely.
The head youth minister at New Life Church told me yesterday, "I can tell you one thing for sure - we will use you a lot (I know, using people doesn't sound good, but that's what we do here :) - we are placing right people at the right place to bring glory to God!" I am looking forward to working under this guy. I have heard nothing but good things from many people and the opportunity to be under his direct leadership will be very helpful.
In light of what I have said so far, I realize I need to be flexible in seeing where God has for me to serve and grow (and to be honest, I see this internship as much as an opportunity to grow as an opportunity to serve). But to give you all some idea of areas I will likely be working, here are some of the needs I was presented with during my time at New Life Church: playing guitar on the worship teams, helping with sound equipment installation and mixing for teen and young adult worship services, starting an English language small group for the church, and working in various ways with the young adult ministry.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
I just started reading the updated edition of Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest. I read the second installment this morning. I think this quotation summarizes where I am at:
One of the most difficult questions to answer in Christian work is, "What do you expect to do?" You don't know what you are going to do. The only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually examine your attitude toward God to see if you are willing to "go out" in every area of your life, trusting in God entirely.
The head youth minister at New Life Church told me yesterday, "I can tell you one thing for sure - we will use you a lot (I know, using people doesn't sound good, but that's what we do here :) - we are placing right people at the right place to bring glory to God!" I am looking forward to working under this guy. I have heard nothing but good things from many people and the opportunity to be under his direct leadership will be very helpful.
In light of what I have said so far, I realize I need to be flexible in seeing where God has for me to serve and grow (and to be honest, I see this internship as much as an opportunity to grow as an opportunity to serve). But to give you all some idea of areas I will likely be working, here are some of the needs I was presented with during my time at New Life Church: playing guitar on the worship teams, helping with sound equipment installation and mixing for teen and young adult worship services, starting an English language small group for the church, and working in various ways with the young adult ministry.
Thank you for your continued prayers!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Time for an Update
As of today, I am half way through my stay in Ukraine. Things have been crazy, overwhelming, exciting, fun, and depressing. It all depends on the day or even the hour. It's humbling to be this out of control and this needy. I can't take the subway or the buses by myself so I am dependent on friends to get me where I need to go. Thankfully, some of the friends I made over the summer have been true to their promises to help me while I am here.
I am staying right now with the American intern who works for New Life Church. He is actually a pastor rather than an intern at this point. After nearly five years in Ukraine, he has a good grasp of the language and culture and even after only one night spent with him so far, he has given me valuable insight into living in Ukraine. He is a servant at heart. I will learn from him in a lot of areas over the next four days.
Today was my first time playing guitar for one of New Life's services. This time was the "youth" service, which in Ukraine is actually a service for young adults in their late teens thru mid 20's. I am happy to have been a part of something--a part of God's work--but with the language barrier it is hard to grasp exactly what I am being a part of. I was able to catch a good bit of the sermon through a translator and respected the boldness and intentionality of the message. There is definitely a need here for what I am doing and the people I get to work with are happier for having me. It is nice to be able to fit into things in that way and serve them and serve God.
God has blessed me with some great friends here already who, if I do make the move to Ukraine, will be an amazing foundation to make my life here possible. I have a lot of things to figure out still. I wish I already felt that I had a clear answer about moving here. But I suspect God is moving the puzzle pieces through my experiences so far and through those to come. He is showing me one moment at a time, allowing me to live in it even while I don't know how it fits in yet. Please continue praying that I will see where this all leads when the time comes.
Thank you! I hope you all are well.
Josh
I am staying right now with the American intern who works for New Life Church. He is actually a pastor rather than an intern at this point. After nearly five years in Ukraine, he has a good grasp of the language and culture and even after only one night spent with him so far, he has given me valuable insight into living in Ukraine. He is a servant at heart. I will learn from him in a lot of areas over the next four days.
Today was my first time playing guitar for one of New Life's services. This time was the "youth" service, which in Ukraine is actually a service for young adults in their late teens thru mid 20's. I am happy to have been a part of something--a part of God's work--but with the language barrier it is hard to grasp exactly what I am being a part of. I was able to catch a good bit of the sermon through a translator and respected the boldness and intentionality of the message. There is definitely a need here for what I am doing and the people I get to work with are happier for having me. It is nice to be able to fit into things in that way and serve them and serve God.
God has blessed me with some great friends here already who, if I do make the move to Ukraine, will be an amazing foundation to make my life here possible. I have a lot of things to figure out still. I wish I already felt that I had a clear answer about moving here. But I suspect God is moving the puzzle pieces through my experiences so far and through those to come. He is showing me one moment at a time, allowing me to live in it even while I don't know how it fits in yet. Please continue praying that I will see where this all leads when the time comes.
Thank you! I hope you all are well.
Josh
Monday, September 27, 2010
What My Schedule Looks Like In Ukraine...
Hi all, I just wanted to give you a little update on some of the specifics of what I will be doing during my short trip to Ukraine in a couple of weeks. I will spend the first four days working with a film team as they shoot a documentary of some Ukrainian ministries. This will be with Missions Development International, the organization I am traveling with. During this time the film team will be meeting with and interviewing the senior pastor of New Life Church where I am considering interning.
After four days of filming in Kiev, I will be staying in the city to shadow some of New Life's workers while the film team travels six hours south to do more filming in the city of Odessa. I will spend these last four days living with an American who interns full-time at New Life church. This will be a good chance to really learn what it is like for an American to live in Ukraine.
I will also be playing guitar with the worship team for Saturday's young adult worship service and for Wednesday night's midweek service. These will also be opportunities to see what some of New Life's ministries are doing and to jump in and work with some of the people I would be working with if I returned to Ukraine long-term. Please think about praying for me as I undergo these new experiences and pray that they impact me in the way God wants them to.
Thank you!
After four days of filming in Kiev, I will be staying in the city to shadow some of New Life's workers while the film team travels six hours south to do more filming in the city of Odessa. I will spend these last four days living with an American who interns full-time at New Life church. This will be a good chance to really learn what it is like for an American to live in Ukraine.
I will also be playing guitar with the worship team for Saturday's young adult worship service and for Wednesday night's midweek service. These will also be opportunities to see what some of New Life's ministries are doing and to jump in and work with some of the people I would be working with if I returned to Ukraine long-term. Please think about praying for me as I undergo these new experiences and pray that they impact me in the way God wants them to.
Thank you!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
General Update
Friends and family!
I want to update you and let you know how your support for my trip to Ukraine this summer is continuing to play a big role in my life and in the lives of some of the children I interacted with. I have written letters to many of the children and one of my new Ukrainian friends has taken on the responsibility of translating and mailing them for me. I am excited to share a portion of a letter I received from one of the young orphans.
"Thanks a lot for your letter. I was very glad to receive it. I really like getting mail! When you had left, it was very boring, but at our discos we always had the camp song and everybody danced to it! All of us remember you guys and will NEVER forget!!! I miss all of you."
This girl carried on with the opportunity to write and responded very personally to some of the questions I had asked her in my letter. She regrets turning down an opportunity to stay in the US with a family that she was spending time with. But she shared with me the hope she has that an American family will again give her the chance to visit for at least a vacation.
I am also eager to share that I am returning to Ukraine for ten days in October to feel out the possibility of spending six months or a year serving in Ukraine. It seems that God has put a call on my heart to be a part of His movement there. I pray and expect that this trip October 11-21 will help either confirm or change this vision to become a part of the work happening in Ukraine.
I want to update you and let you know how your support for my trip to Ukraine this summer is continuing to play a big role in my life and in the lives of some of the children I interacted with. I have written letters to many of the children and one of my new Ukrainian friends has taken on the responsibility of translating and mailing them for me. I am excited to share a portion of a letter I received from one of the young orphans.
"Thanks a lot for your letter. I was very glad to receive it. I really like getting mail! When you had left, it was very boring, but at our discos we always had the camp song and everybody danced to it! All of us remember you guys and will NEVER forget!!! I miss all of you."
This girl carried on with the opportunity to write and responded very personally to some of the questions I had asked her in my letter. She regrets turning down an opportunity to stay in the US with a family that she was spending time with. But she shared with me the hope she has that an American family will again give her the chance to visit for at least a vacation.
I am also eager to share that I am returning to Ukraine for ten days in October to feel out the possibility of spending six months or a year serving in Ukraine. It seems that God has put a call on my heart to be a part of His movement there. I pray and expect that this trip October 11-21 will help either confirm or change this vision to become a part of the work happening in Ukraine.
The Specifics
A lot has been developing over the last month. I have been keeping in regular contact with a few of the Ukrainian members of the team I worked with in July. They attend New Life Church in Kiev, which is the church I had the opportunity to visit for a worship rehearsal during my previous trip to Ukraine. These friends have been filling me in on the opportunities to serve with their church. They have also been putting in good words for me with the leadership in a few of the church’s ministries that they are involved in.
First of all, if I do end up returning to Ukraine for an extended period of time, I will most likely be interning with New Life Church’s youth ministry. Of the city’s 2.75 million inhabitants, an overwhelming number are teens who need to hear about a God who loves them and is in control of the chaotic world around them. Thankfully, since all Ukrainian youth are required to study seven years of English in school, many of them are excited about opportunities to spend time with a native English speaker and try out what they are learning. This creates interesting occasions to get to know them personally.
Secondly, the bass player that I worked with on the previous trip has talked to the church’s worship teams and has opened up the opportunity for me to serve in both the adult and young adult worship services. The teams are already excited about the possibility of me coming to Ukraine and working with them! I will be playing a few services with these teams during my trip in October. This friend has also encouraged me to learn how to sing in Russian because they also have a need for a male vocalist to round out the teams of mainly female singers. I think this would be an excellent motivator and method for me in learning the language.
First of all, if I do end up returning to Ukraine for an extended period of time, I will most likely be interning with New Life Church’s youth ministry. Of the city’s 2.75 million inhabitants, an overwhelming number are teens who need to hear about a God who loves them and is in control of the chaotic world around them. Thankfully, since all Ukrainian youth are required to study seven years of English in school, many of them are excited about opportunities to spend time with a native English speaker and try out what they are learning. This creates interesting occasions to get to know them personally.
Secondly, the bass player that I worked with on the previous trip has talked to the church’s worship teams and has opened up the opportunity for me to serve in both the adult and young adult worship services. The teams are already excited about the possibility of me coming to Ukraine and working with them! I will be playing a few services with these teams during my trip in October. This friend has also encouraged me to learn how to sing in Russian because they also have a need for a male vocalist to round out the teams of mainly female singers. I think this would be an excellent motivator and method for me in learning the language.
Your Support
As usual, your prayer support is very much appreciated. I am excited about the opportunities God is opening up. But I also realize there are large decisions I will need to make soon. I would like to be very confident of God’s direction before moving to Ukraine. Please pray for me that I will continue learning how to hear from God and how to be growing in my relationship with Him in such a way that this communication becomes second nature.
A practical person by nature, I have also given much thought to the need to sustain myself financially in Ukraine. There are a lot of logistics involved but there are some promising work opportunities I may be able to use part time in order to get by while serving the church on a volunteer basis as an intern. Some of these may be an alteration of things I am doing now while others, such as teaching English, would be entirely new experiences.
There are a lot of logistics that remain to be worked out if God calls me to Ukraine. I know that these are things He will take care of if I follow His leading wherever He leads. He is steadily growing my level of trust in Him and showing me that there may be areas I simply cannot plan for as fully as I would like to for comfort's sake. These are the very same areas He intends to use to further reveal His trustworthiness and provision. God is good. Please pray that I will see that and be reminded of that daily as decisions and complications and resistance come!
A practical person by nature, I have also given much thought to the need to sustain myself financially in Ukraine. There are a lot of logistics involved but there are some promising work opportunities I may be able to use part time in order to get by while serving the church on a volunteer basis as an intern. Some of these may be an alteration of things I am doing now while others, such as teaching English, would be entirely new experiences.
There are a lot of logistics that remain to be worked out if God calls me to Ukraine. I know that these are things He will take care of if I follow His leading wherever He leads. He is steadily growing my level of trust in Him and showing me that there may be areas I simply cannot plan for as fully as I would like to for comfort's sake. These are the very same areas He intends to use to further reveal His trustworthiness and provision. God is good. Please pray that I will see that and be reminded of that daily as decisions and complications and resistance come!
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