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From the beginning our Ukraine team has been a team focused on flexibility and joy in the partnerships with one another. Each one of our team meetings (nine so far) have been consistently revealing to us our need for better team unity and prayerfulness on one another’s behalf. It has been a joy to get to know other members of Christ’s body in a way that we wouldn’t have unless signing up and taking the step of faith toward Ukraine.
The team has been learning a ton on how to consider one another better than ourselves (Philippians 2:1-5) and to effectively serve each other through the examination of God’s Word as we’ve been prepping for our trip. One of the most powerful times was our eighth team meeting where we were able to discuss the process of developing a healthier team when conflict and tension arise. Even though every Exposure Trip team typically goes into training with a romanticized view of missions and healthy team dynamics, there will inevitably be tense times and personal conflict that can wreak havoc upon the most mature amongst us. Passages like Matthew 7:1-5; 18:15-18 and Galatians 6:1-3 are some of the most clearly defined ways in which we humbly enter in relationally and lovingly to see each other become more like Jesus Himself.
We have a wide range of things we’re looking forward to, and conversely things we’re not as excited to experience, as we head to Ukraine today. From the perspective of what we’re looking forward to as a team, some of the top things our team has mentioned include seeing the looks on the faces of orphans as we hug them and let them know they’re loved, connecting with them even on a non-language level, and being in a new culture. We are also excited to hear about their relationships with the Lord and encourage them toward one if they don't already have one.
Some of the things we’re least excited about include: leaving family here for an extended period of time, seeing the crestfallen faces the last day we leave and say goodbye to the kids, having a language barrier, and of course, not eating our favorite food. Please keep us in your prayers as we fly out later this afternoon. We are so excited for this trip, and we look forward to what the Lord does in our hearts as well as the hearts of those we interact with.