I haven’t posted as many blogs about Ukraine as I have in previous countries. Mostly due to some writer’s block. But we left Ukraine a few days ago and I’m now in Jordan. We’re in the Middle East! But I’m not writing about Jordan yet. Having left a few days ago I was able to spend some time reflecting on Ukraine. The idea that kept coming up over and over again while in Ukraine for that month was rest.

Ukraine was a busy month and it went by so much faster than any of the other months before that. We did a lot more ministry in terms of work that you can actually see. Compared to previous months where we didn’t really see the fruit of our work. It felt like we were a lot busier with ministry in Ukraine than in other countries. But at the same time, my team and I pretty much all agreed that it was a very restful month. 

This was mostly because of the family my team was staying with and the pastor and his family with who another team was staying. One of their main goals for our time in Ukraine was to give us a time of rest. I’d say they succeeded in that part. This was the first month I felt more served by people, besides those on my squad, than I served. People were making meals for us, paying for meals when we ate out, driving us places, coming with us places to translate for us. All of that kind of stuff happened in other countries as well but the amount that it happened in Ukraine and the love it was done out of was so much better than any place before. 

The people of the church cared for our two teams so very well. They made us feel so welcomed and like it was home almost instantly. I don’t think any of us had much of any expectations for Ukraine going in since it wasn’t on our original route. But I’m pretty sure we are all happy that we ended up going and meeting the people that we spent our time with.

Take time to make sure that you are getting the rest that you need. Sabbath, have a day where you don’t do work and do what is restful for you.