Things have been going quite well so far. Home here is great. My roommates continue to be amazing and helpful friends. They both just left tonight to go to a nine day conference though so I could use some prayers over the next week or so. I have not been lonely yet but a lot of that has been because of them being around. This week will be harder.
I'm still finding where exactly I fit in here. There are lots of opportunities with the worship teams but I think I need to focus on one or two teams to apply myself the most intentionally with those and to leave time for other opportunities. The English language small group is still taking shape but looks like it will be a valuable thing for missionary kids and others whose English/American parents work in Ukraine. I met one of the teens a week ago and I realized that he has nowhere to fit in. He hasn't lived here long enough to fit it with Ukrainian kids and he doesn't seem to have enough other people like himself. The other intern and I are talking about how we can create a community for him and others in similar situations.
I am at the point where I realize I'm not sure what I'm doing and that's a little scary. But I can fall back on knowing confidently that I was supposed to come here, though I haven't figured out all the reasons yet. I need to apply myself diligently but be patient knowing that I may not see an impact for a good number of months. The other thing I am having to remind myself is that if I don't make this trip be all about God, then it just will not work.
Joel (the American youth pastor) has been very helpful in the process of getting settled and is always available to provide moral support. He had me, the other American intern, and some other people over to his place for Easter dinner. He has also had encouraging things to say about the turn we are making with the young adult worship ministry. Things are moving forward, it's just hard to see the impact so soon.
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