Back to Ukraine?!?

I hope that I have had a chance to personally talk with most of you who actually read this blog, but if not, I apologize for the surprise, which is...we are moving to Ukraine!

Since many of you already know that we have been seriously considering this for the past 3 weeks, I will take this opportunity to lay out why we made this decision.



Reason #1: The Calling

Since before Sarah and I were even engaged, we have both felt a call on our lives to participate in missions. While in Michigan I was a member of several teams, was a co-leader on a few more with the youth at Woodmen Valley Chapel and have been on Global Action trips the past 2 summers. I deeply value these opportunities and the lessons I learned about travel, teamwork and interpersonal interaction during difficult situations. Though eased to the back of my mind, I never completely lost the desire for a longer term overseas situation. I always assumed that with my Spanish skills, if this were to occur, I would find myself in Latin America. My faulty assumptions aside, both Sarah and I have been receptive to this type of situation for the entire span of our marriage.



Reason #2: The Passion

I hope that none of you is offended when I say that ever since I arrived back in the States almost 3 weeks ago, I have been yearning to return to Ukraine. I love Colorado Springs and I my local friends and family even more so, but what I experienced at the Hope Center in Kerch made me realize that I was being called to more than staying where I felt loved and comfortable.



Reason #3: The Opportunity

Upon his return to the office from his most recent jaunt around the globe (3 weeks ago Thursday), Lars asked how my trip to Ukraine was.

Half joking, I said, "Amazing! When can I go back?"

To which he responded, only 1/4 joking, "We have a position over there. Do you want it?"

To which I replied (now only barely joking), "Don't joke about that, 'cause I'll take it."

To which he answered (no longer joking), "Don't YOU joke about that, 'cause I'll give it to you."

As the weeks have progressed, we have seen doors continue to open and we proceeded to walk through them. In short, we have been given a chance to do something extremely meaningful and adventurous with little or no risk/downside. That is an opportunity that very few people are given.


We will miss seeing our Colorado Springs friends on a regular basis (we'll still be able to converse with all our friends frequently), but since the camp sleeps around 200, you are all welcome to come visit.