Daily Bread

It has been incredible to see my perspectives change after traveling to a foreign country seeing the daily lives of others through my own eyes. To catch a glimpse of how selfish I am about my own future. I have always dreamed of having the perfect family, a nice house, a nice car, money to support and make my family happy. These are all nice things to acquire, but who am I to assume this is what God has planned for me. A verse I keep returning to in Proverbs sums it up best, "Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." (Proverbs 30:8-9 NIV) I never believed God would ever call me to the mission field, mostly it just wasn't appealing to me because of the living conditions it would bring. After spending 2 weeks with orphans in Ukraine a piece of my heart has been forever left in the eyes of every child I came in contact with. A Love so deep has been instilled within my heart for these fatherless children; I don't believe any words could explain. At the moment I feel God is calling me back to where the pieces of my heart have been scattered throughout the country of Ukraine. It doesn't matter what kind of living conditions I must pertain to as long as I am with those whom I love. For ultimately that these orphans will come to realize thier Father who loves so unconditionally awaiting for them to come running into his arms. A Father they can always count on being there when no one else is around to comfort them. For now I have no idea what God has planned for me in the next minute, day, and the rest of my life; I find beauty in that. I pray it is not my own selfish ambition, but to glorify the Father whatever my future brings in that only my daily bread may be provided.

Hume Lake

It is a beautiful sunny morning staring out into God's beautiful creation known as Hume Lake. For the first time since i have been up here it has been a pretty decently warm morning, which i am so thankful for. I am loving every moment of working with the Hume staff especially in the coffee shop "Hume n' Beans" where we have the most awesome staff. It has been such a blessing working with people who love Jesus and share my same joking sarcasm. I'm really enjoying the contact we get with the campers and the counselors with there daily routine of coffee or smoothies. Most of all God is working through my life in a way that has been more tangible than ever before. Through my morning devotions, prayer, and just listening to what God is trying to tell me in my everyday life. As much as I wish I could jump on a plane and head right back to Ukraine where I left a piece of my heart; God has brought me to realize he has put me right where I am for a reason. He has me in the palm of his hand guiding my every path. God-willing one day I hope to return to that place I grew to love "Ukraine" , but until then I need to focus on this moment in time where God has me and what He wants to do with me.

Ukraine thoughts...

Its been nearly a week since our return home from Ukraine. The kids stories and faces replay over and over again in my mind and run vivid through my dreams. All i can do being so far away is the memories and continued prayer for them. One story that broke my heart a boy named shasha told about his childhood. At the age of five his mother got so drunk he took his three month old brother to the police and convinced them his little brother should not be living at home. His little brother Dima, then was sent to an orphanage. A couple years ago his mother died in a fire while drunk, then about six months ago he lost his father. Shasha went to join his brother at the orphanage at the age of 16. He told our translator Yuri the reason he smoked was because he knew for every cigarette he smoked he was closer to death to be reunited with his mother. These kids are left with no one to love them and no one they can depend on, they are left alone. Even for the three weeks we had to love on the kids we still had to leave and once again they were left alone. If only they knew of how much our Heavenly Father loves them and desires them. A God who will not let them down and will be by there side every second of the day. I hope one day to return to the orphanages, maybe getting the chance to share that love God has for them. If only they could understand who this Creator of the Universe is that desires to hold them in the palm of his hand. Here is a song I have written for these orphans I cant get off my mind.

Another story, another tear streams right down your face
So much hurt , so much pain you try to hold it in
Your broken and dry trying to hide from this world

Theres a love that you can hold on to waiting with open arms
A father who seeks you for his own to restore your broken heart
Come and drink and you will never thirst again

Fatherless, where to go? filled with emptiness
Left alone in the darkness with a longing to be found
Your broken and dry trying to hide from this world

With his touch you will find peace
In his love you will find mercy and grace

Hope you enjoy GOD bless