This was my first trip behind the old "iron curtain." It was also the first time in recent years that I have been in a place where I did not speak the language, recognize the alphabet nor understand the culture. what I got to do was experience first hand what others experience when they travel with me to countries they have never visited before.Needless to say I took hundreds of photos. I was intrigued by the architecture, the food, the transportation, and the way in which people never make eye contact with you unless they know you.
You always take your shoes off when entering a home; none of the churches have bathrooms in them and you give an odd number of flowers if it is a happy occasion and an even number if it is a sad occasion. In the course of 5 days I ate more dumplings than I have eaten in all my life. We stayed in the homes of some incredibly gracious and hospitable families.
The history of the Ukraine is stained with blood. I was shocked by the millions of people who were starved to death or sent to the front lines with one weapon for three soldiers. The people of the Ukraine have been through so much because of their strategic location and vast natural resources. They are a people who have suffered much.
I believe that part of the success of the churches I visited has to do with the Ukrainian's history of suffering. Suffering is a given for them. To sacrifice for Christ only makes sense.
One church of 300 members in the city of Vinnitsa ( a city of 400,000 about 4 hours south of Kiev) has a vision of starting 3 new churches a year. The pastor, Vladimir, believes that for every 100 members a church has it should start one new church a year. As evidence of this Vladimir has 30 missionaries who go out each weekend to oversee churches they have started.
We met with these 30 missionaries. I listened to their stories and then dialogued with them about missions strategy. They were very receptive and had a lot of questions. What amazed me was the sacrifices they were making on a regular basis. Not once did I hear a complaint about "sacrificing"their weekends. For them, imagine this, missions was a privilege not a sacrifice!!!!
Is it any wonder that God is at work in the Ukraine? Imagine what it would be like if a church of 5000 determined that they should start one church for each 100 members? What if we believed that to follow Christ is to sacrifice? I wonder what impact that would have on our world?
