Vicka
We like to introduce you to different people we meet, since that helps you understand our life a little more.
Today I want to introduce Vicka. Vicka is a student in our bible school. She is Ukrainian and has a passion to teach God’s word. She will do Titus Project this fall to get stronger in her teaching skills and to bring Bible teaching to a country that really needs discipleship.
Here is her testimony:
Being born in a family with Orthodox beliefs, I was baptized almost after birth and given a cross to wear at all times as a symbol of Christianity. The existence of God is a fact that I have always known.God was, He is, and He always will be.
But a lot of times, what is visible on the outside is not reflected inside.
Yes I knew ABOUT God, but I didnt know Him.
Time was passing and life was bringing more struggles as I grew up. The Soviet Union collapsed and had a great influence on every person and every family. I hardly saw my parents at home as they were trying to earn some money to make ends meet. I was growing up on the street and at the age of 12 I almost commited a suicide. I was so disappointed in life and all it had to offer, that I said: God Im not going to believe in You anymore! A year passed, and I experienced Gods grace pour out on me. After attending a Christian camp I experienced something I never knew, some One Ive only heard about. God found me at the age of 13, and I was saved. I made a decision to ask God to come into my heart and change my life, and then was baptized, after truly believing. Since then I had a strong desire and motivation to help out kids at these Christian camps to find out who God is and who they are in Him.
Lately Gods been teaching me how to build up my faithfulness, teaching me how to trust in Him with patience and what humbleness is before Him. He showed me my heart and revealed that being faithful starts from the inside. I knew that, but sometimes my priorities were not set straight, letting other things take 1st place in my heart. I thank God for always being faithful, guiding me in His footsteps so that I may have a good example to follow.
God is my Lord, my Father and my Friend.
He is my beloved and i belong to Him...
Just as a side note, Vicka is planning on moving into long term missions after this bible school and will need monthly supporters so if you are interested in being a part of her team just let us know and we will get you connected.
The Island
A few posts ago, 9 of Them, we mentioned wed like to feature some of their stories. Here is the first one.
One of the students in Sweden is from Ukraine, Dima. We met him and his wife, Zhenya, while we were still there running Titus. Theyre really an incredible couple, intelligent, passionate believers, from atheist background.
So what are they doing with YWM in Sweden? They are part of bringing Jesus to people who dont know who he is. Anyway, we got started talking about the Orthodox church while we were there. Why? Well, the Orthodox church is the major Christian presence in Ukraine and the post-Soviet world. And Ive been on a major learning curve since we arrived. Well do some posts in the future, talking about the Orthodox church. And we watched this very interesting movie with Dima and Zhenya, called The Island in English (you can see its facebook page here). During the Soviet years, the Russian Orthodox church dwindled because of the soviet states radical atheistic marxism seen in repression of religion. Listen to some of these stats:
– In 1917-1939, over 50,000 Orthodox priests vanished, 1000 churches & 60 seminaries were closed
– by 1933, of 600 churches in Moscow only 100 remained open
– by 1941, 98% of all Orthodox churches in Russia were closed
(Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Daniel Clendenin, p44).
Wow!
Anyway, the story of the Island takes place during WWII. The main character becomes a priest after having committed a grave sin. Its an interesting story and we will bring it home with us in summer, if youre interested, let us know and wed love to watch it with you. It will give you some understanding of what it means to live here.
As Clendenin very appropriately states where this all will lead remains to be seen.
The Orthodox Church – Experience #1
Our first experience with the orthodox church happened in late May 2009. We were visiting Kyiv while considering where we might relocate Titus Project in Europe. As part of our visit, one of our hosts by the name of Tim Huddleston, now a treasured friend, took us for a tour around Kyiv.
As we learned, one of Tim’s hobbies was really understanding Kyiv’s history. It turns out to be very rich and interesting (but more on that later). Anyway, one of the landmarks on his tour was St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral. Writing this nearly two years later, I barely remember anything. I will briefly introduce two things that I do remember because they really struck me, but we will only go into depth in subsequent posts.
The first thing I remember was how different it was. Angela and the ladies put on scarves before we entered. There was the paintings and the dim light with candles and a few other things that I really hadn’t experienced, even in the old catholic churches I’ve entered in other European countries.
The second thing I remember was Tim’s comment. It was a teachable moment and he took the opportunity. He said that although worship may be very different than what I am used to, do not quickly pronounce judgment on it because there are many many positives to it and things we can learn from. It was, and remains, wise advice.
So why begin recounting our experiences with the Orthodox Church here? There are a few different reasons, but probably the most important is that the Christian church is vast, and vastly diverse in its style and character. To breathe Ukrainian air is to breathe a mixture of Christian faith. Need a picture? Consider how puppies are tied to the same pole, yet as they run around and around, they get tied together even while they run in many directions. So while we are all rooted to the same Christ, the atmosphere and experience of his worship may be very different, sometimes crossing, sometimes running in parallel. I want to explore this relationship more fully, understand these other worship experiences without prejudice and with love. And in turn, hopefully, bring my own experiences to people who might benefit from them.
Teaching Adventures 