40-day-outreach (because I don't have a clever title)

So the last time I updated y’all I was getting ready to head out on my 40-day outreach in Ukraine.  Now it is drawing to a close and I will be heading back to Hungary in just over a week.  So much had happened and God is teaching me such precious lessons that I know I will look back on for years to come.

Shortly before my coming the pastor in Kiev stepped down from the pastorate and the family I was to stay with was asked to step into that position.  George and Sharon Markey and their four boys have been serving in the church in Ternopil for several years.  It was decided that George’s brother Jon would take over the senior pastorate in Ternopil and George and his family would move to Kiev and take over there.  I have been able to help with that transition in whatever way I can.  I stay with the boys on the weekends while George and Sharon go to Kiev for Saturday events, Sunday services, and Monday prayer meetings.  Kiev is about a five-hour drive from Ternopil.

There have been some hot days and some rainy days but, with a lake in the middle of downtown, Ternopil has been a delight.  My greatest joy has been to be back in the kitchen, doing laundry, and spending time with the boys (all of which I haven’t done as much of as I normally do since leaving for Bible College).  It has been challenging at times, but my young charges are quite hilarious and our favorite pastimes are walking to the park, taking public transit to church, drinking kefir and having teatime when it’s raining.

I have had the joy of meeting several people at the church such as when the shower backed up, and accepting vegetable deliveries.  I continue to work on my Ukrainian and have a had a few successful communications.  I learned enough mom commands to be able to baby sit Ukrainian speaking children for a short time.

I have treasured my time here as I feel God is sending me through a delightful missionary wife boot camp before becoming just that in January.  Thank you so much to all of you who have supported me.  Please keep praying.

 Rinsing off at the conference in Hungary

 The deluxe smoothie made by the oldest of my young charges Samuel

 Sorry with the Markey cousins (two of the missionary families here in Ukraine) is never boring

 Of course getting in some Skype time with my love

 This is Kiyoshi (Markey boy #2) he is a Lego building master

 This is Samuel (Markey boy #1) he is the master chef in the making

Here he is enjoying some beet greens with me (oh yes we did mom)

 The sweet babushka the Markeys frequently buy veggie and fruit from on their way to Kiev

 Fun day to the Lego store with the three older boys

 Sharon Markey and 3/4 of her posse of delights

 At the park watching six kids (two of which don't speak English).
Getting my language study in.

 What we do on those hot Ternopil days

 Exploring the city center

 Of course stopping for a fresh Ukrainian cup of Joe

 Yes, there is a lake in the middle of downtown

 I just really like cool lookin' doors

 My friend Tanya who took me exploring

 Yes, I have found it!

 Peter (Markey boy #3) the one most like my amazing self as a 4-year-old

James (Markey boy #4) The one with the sunny disposition

Prayer requests:

1.  Safe travels back to Hungary on August 3^rd (also my handsome daddy’s birthday)
2. For George, Sharon, and the boys as they start a new life in Kiev
3. For Jon and Steff who will be staying in Ternopil and leading the church here
4. For safe travels as I go back to California at the end of August
5. Continued prayer for Jared and I as we plan our wedding and prepare for marriage

Oh, To Serve the King of Kings!

Friends and Family,
As I mentioned in my last blog many changes are coming to my life as I take the next step He is leading me in.  I rejoice in that He will remain faithful in my life as He always has.  I know I was rather abrupt in my "I'm engaged" announcement.  I am still processing it myself.  So I think Jared deserves a proper introduction to y'all.

Jared Scheller has been serving here at CCBCE for 8 years.  He grew up on the west coast and currently calls Oregon his home state.  Through a mutual friend he was able to help me with the application process last summer (you know, "do I need to bring a towel" and "when is the application due" sort of thing).  Through a series of only God orchestrated events we had very little contact over the fall semester, but started talking more regularly just before leaving the college in December (of course more details can be offered, but we all know I'm to long-winded to post such here).  In January it was clear God was leading us to pursue a relationship.  Somehow we fell in love, and I am ever so thankful.  Soooooooooo now we're engaged and getting married at the beginning of next year.  I'm looking forward to what God has in store for us a I join Jared here in Hungary.  While I am very much looking forward to having an earthly husband as a companion to serve along side, I am so thankful that our relationship is only a picture of how much our heavenly groom loves us.  Please be praying for our marriage and the days building up to it, that we may honor God in our conduct and purity of love.  As Paul urged the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 1:12 "that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."  I realize this all sounds very gushy and romantic.  I do realize that He who began a work in us is still working on us and we have much to learn from Jesus and each other.  We want Jesus to be our driver so I'm excited to buckle up and get this show on the road.

So for those of you who have asked, there is a little more detail about this man that I am most willingly committing to spend the rest of my life with.

Even with a wedding to plan missionary life on the foreign field speeds forward with gusto.   Next week is one of the biggest conferences held at CCBCE for the leaders serving here in eastern Europe.  Along with many guests, all of the School of Missions Students will be attending sessions on leadership, marriage, family, and many other subjects.  On June 19th I will be headed to Ukraine for my 40-day outreach.  I will be helping a church there with child-care, church services, and many other possibilities.  I can't wait to use the language I've been studying for the past eight months!  Last week I figured out how to type in Ukrainian, and I felt like bursting with excitement!

Graduation went well on May 15th with the added excitement that Abigail and mom surprise visited me and we traveled for a week after.  What an amazing blessing!

I'm so grateful to all of you for your prayers.  Please continue in this.  Your prayers are such a huge part of the work here in Hungary.

Prayer Requests:

1. For Jared and I as we prepare for our marriage
2. Outreach to Ukraine starting next week (especially for leadership in the church right now)
3. Foundations Conference next week, that God's servants would be refreshed

P.S. He's not a Cardinals fan so we'll work on that

Big news from Hungary

     It been a while and much has happened.  I have been quite busy with classes and such.  Next week is finals, but I am already finished with a few classes.  I just arrived back from Ireland a few days ago and was so greatly blessed by the pastor’s family there.  We stayed with the pastor Shawn Tebbe and his family and were abundantly blessed by them.  We were able to do some practical ministry at their house, spent an evening at a mental hospital, ministry with girls from the local school, and children’s ministry.  We were able to present the gospel at the mental hospital and were really blessed that the patients and staff were really engaged.  Children’s ministry was a joy.  I have missed it and enjoyed greatly getting back in the classroom.  Ministry with the girls I hope was a blessing to them as they have had several suicides in their school this year.  It was a blessed trip and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to go.

     I’m headed back in to school full throttle as finals are next week and graduation is May 15^th.

     In other news many of you may or may not know that I have been in a relationship with Jared Scheller these past four months.  A few days ago He asked me to marry him and I have accepted.  We are very excited and look forward to what God has for us in the future.

Prayer Requests

•          Prayer for Ireland and the girls impacted by the suicides
•          For the Tebbe family in Ireland
•          Finishing finals
•          Wisdom for Jared and myself as we prepare for marriage

A New Semester

So, I should have had this update up for ya'll weeks ago, but here goes anyways.  So I arrived safely in Hungary, back for my second semester of the School of Missions here at Calvary Chapel Bible College Europe.  After the fun fiasco of leaving my computer at the security checkpoint in New York (yes, it was an accident, and it's now safely in California with my parents).  I know God has much that He wants to do in me this semester so we'll see how it goes.  So much has already changed my heart since being here these past six weeks.  We are studying 1 Thessalonians in our Thursday night studies.  This verse in particular stood out to me.

that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

1 Thessalonians 2:12

I pray this semester and the rest of my life that I would walk worthy of God who has called me to be in Hungary.

I'm working in the coffee shop this semester for my servant-hood class.  It's a far cry from starting IVs, but at least I can use my costumer service skills, which is not to say that I don't receive frequent consultations.  When people know you're a nurse *says in dramatic whisper* they will find you.  Someday when I can get used to not having my computer I will add some pictures to my updates.

This semester I'm taking Daniel, Biblical Theology, Inductive Bible Study, Missionary Leadership, and all of the regular compulsory classes.  I'm learning so much from them all.

I'll be headed to Serbia for an Easter outreach this coming weekend and then on to Dublin, Ireland at the end of April.  I do so appreciate all of your prayers and support.

Prayer requests

• Stamina to get my school work done with gusto
• My continued studies in the Ukrainian language
• Serbia outreach April 3-6
• Ireland outreach April 24th through May 3rd

Hungary brings changes

How do you sum up the entirety of a semester of Bible College?  Especially one where God spoke so profoundly that it will serve as a constant reminder of His faithfulness?  I find myself at this impasse.  It has been several months since my last post.  For this I am sorry for not updating all of you, but it has taken some time for me to process all that has been confirmed, and changing in my heart.

In early November I was able to go on a class trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland.  1.1 million people went to the gas chambers at this camp.  It was a very sobering experience, yet such an important one.  It’s so important to remember what Israel has gone through and what powers of sin are on this earth.

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4

 Auschwitz

 Our hotel in Poland

 Getting some studying in during finals week

 

            The last month of school flew by like a whirlwind full of book reports, servant hood hours, a quite memorable trip to Italy over Thanksgiving break, and ending with graduation on December 5^th.  Italy was a wonderful historical experience with old friends, new friends, and my sister.  I will never forget walking into the Coliseum and looking down to where so many Christians suffered and died for the name of Jesus Christ, or reading the book of Philippians in the actual jail cell where Paul wrote it while awaiting his execution.

So breathtaking in person

Getting to share an experience of a lifetime with my sister

            Abigail and myself ended our travels visiting my brother Nathan, his wife Laura, and their children in Spain.  The trip home was quite eventful, especially as Abigail injured her arm while packing to leave the college, but that is an entirely different story for another time.

The Cathedral in Jerez

The Spain Reeses and Abigail in the Cathedral in Jerez

 On our train on the way back to Madrid headed to the United States

            Through my Biblical Missions class and many other events God confirmed in my heart that Hungary is exactly where God has me for right now.  I will be returning to Vajta in February to complete the School of Missions, which will continue through August of this year.  Till I leave for Hungary again I will be working here in Hanford at the hospital and raising funds to complete the program, and for whatever God would have me to do next.  I am so grateful for everyone that has prayed for me and participated in my missions financially.  If you would like to continue to do so I’m trying to put together an e-mail list of all of you so I can make sure you get regular updates.  I am also having cards made with my contact information and how you can contribute if you wish to.  Send me your address and I’d be glad to send you one.  I’ll leave you with these words from Psalm 4 that almost jumped off the page at me this semester.

            But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The LORD will hear when I call to Him.

            Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

            Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD.

            Psalm 4:3-5

Ten-day outreach in Ukraine

Hello dear family and friends!!!

For my 10-day outreach I went to Ukraine.  Ukraine is a country I never really much considered except that it has been in the news somewhat lately.  I really felt that God wanted me to go on this trip in particular and I’m so glad I did.  We visited five different cities: Svitlohirs’ke, Nizhyn, Pryluky, Konotop, and Kiev.  In the first city we shared with the youth group, did some street evangelism, shared the gospel at an orphanage, participated in a seminar on christocentricity, and worshiped with them at their Sunday service.  This city included a lot of amazing fellowship time with the missionaries and nationals.  In the second city we were able spend time in two different orphanages, encourage the elderly at a local nursing home, fellowship at their midweek gathering, and evangelize at the local university.  At the university I was interviewed by a group of English students about charity and was able to share the gospel. In this second city the three girls on the team stayed with a sweet woman named Valentina.  She cooked some amazing Ukrainian food for us.  She was a believer from the church and she hosted us like we were her own granddaughters thus the day we left she told us to call her babushka.  The third city we were only in for a very short time, but we were able to have some wonderful fellowship with the body of believers there for their midweek service.  I was able to spend time with the pastor’s wife and many of the other ladies.  One of which explained to me much about children needing homes in Ukraine.  In the fourth city of Konotop we spent Friday and Saturday.  It was in this city that I saw the greatest picture of encouraging the believers of Ukraine during hard times.  We did two days of street evangelism and a two-day seminar on evangelism, as well as Bible club for the kids on Saturday.  Saturday night we returned to Kiev for Sunday services.  It was such a great way to finish out the trip worshiping with the believers at Calvary Kiev on Sunday.  We didn’t have much time for fellowship as we had a plane to catch, but it was a joy to be there.

One of the major blessings was to be able to go into so many orphanages as God has put a burden in my heart for children in need.  One was very orderly and the kids were there long term and very disciplined.  The next one was a little out of control as the kids were there only for short-term placement and we were left in the room without any of the orphanage workers.  The last one was unique in that it was for mentally challenged kids, but many of them were adults.  Another major blessing for me was to see the compassion the local pastors had for the Ukrainian people.  They knew how vital it was that they get the gospel out to the people.  Their wives were so eager to provide for our needs.  I so hope we encouraged them.  God has not forgotten the people of Ukraine.  All of the people were so eager to make us comfortable and I think I drank more tea and coffee than I have during the whole semester.

I was so greatly challenged spiritually during this trip.  Psalm 73 was taught at many of the services and in this chapter are contained verses 23-26.  These verses speak of how God walks us through the valley of the shadow of death.  Verse 26 says that God is the strength of our heart and our portion forever.  For a long time the words of God being my portion has been a great encouragement to me.  I have often gone back to this verse prior to ten-day, but this trip it spoke to me in a fresh and new way.  I don’t need to work and strive for Jesus.  He just tells me to abide in Him and He will bring about fruit in my life.  A prominent theme for this trip was bringing the gospel to as many people as possible in a simple yet profound way.   Not only bringing the gospel to the lost but to believers as well who need to hear it again and again was another. 

Two other verses that stood out to me during this trip were Ephesians 3:8 and Romans 1:5.  In the verse in Ephesians Paul speaks of how he is unworthy to preach the gospel to the gentiles and yet God used him.  Just prior to this verse mentioned in Romans Paul sends his greetings and thoroughly explains his authority and who is the God that we serve. Then in verse five he speaks of how this all powerful and mighty God that has given us grace and apostleship for obedience among all the nations.  God has given us the power to obey Him wherever we are.  I went on this trip seeking guidance on what the next step is in my life.  He gave me some clears answers for the short-term and in some instances He just told me to hold His hand and He will lead me through.

Something I didn’t expect was to enjoy the Russian language so much.  In the first city we stayed in they only speak Russian.  I learned so much.  I learned more Russian in ten-days than I have Hungarian in seven weeks.  Given the environments differ quite significantly, but I learned so much from each of the translators and got used to the sound of it.  I hope to explore this newfound fascination with Russian more in the future.

The Ukrainian people touched my heart so much.  I plan on returning so that I may be a part of growing the church there.  I’m not sure when or how, but God will show me in His own timing.  When going on trips like this we as believers get so wrapped up in how we want to draw others to Jesus that we forget that Jesus wants to draw us to Himself more.  God is more interested in how He can change us as individuals than how He can work through us.  So let’s rest in Him and let Him show us His omnipotence.

 The beauty of Ukraine in the fall!

 Worshiping with the youth at Svitlohirs’ke

 When it's below freezing all day and all night you need a massive coat rack

 The best cup of coffee I think I've ever had.  It had fresh cardamom in it.

 My back seat road tripping buddies Jenna (from Philly) and Ryan (from Idaho)

 Our team from the bible college (left to right Ryan, Brenton, Jenna, and Abby from Russia)

 Our sweet Babushka

 The pastor's wife in Pryluky and her baby.

Through this trip God confirmed to me that He wants me to return to Hungary in the spring to finish the missions training program.  I am greatly strengthened by knowing that so many of you are praying for me.  If any of you feel God is leading you to financially support me I would greatly appreciate it, but most of all I covet your prayers.  I’m hoping to return to Ukraine for my 4-day outreach this summer.  I will be learning Ukrainian over the next several months.  God certainly takes us by surprise sometimes, but He always gives us the ability to do what He has called us to do as we follow Him.

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:13

I love you all and will be home in just over a month. 

Please continue to pray for:

1.     Block class on Biblical Missions coming up

2.     Class trip to Poland next weekend to visit concentration camp

3.     God’s continued guidance and I follow Him one step at a time

If a Vacuum Doesn't Suck, Then How Can it be Useful

            So here I am in Hungary and I know I haven’t updated y’all in a while. We arrived without much event. We were the last students to arrive (no surprise there for those that know me). We made it through orientation and registration. All students have devotions for 30 minutes Monday through Friday as well as church Thursday nights, evangelism and discipleship on Friday, and a servant hood class, which consists of eight hours a week of serving in the castle in some capacity. I work in housekeeping (God sweet sense of humor). Thus the reason why I’m so excited about the new vacuums that arrived a few weeks ago (A point on which I may draw a spiritual analogy later). All of the classes I mentioned earlier we are required to submit notes and are graded on. So Monday Abigail and I are both taking a class on John, which is very in depth and wonderful. It’s such a blessing to be spending so much time pouring over Jesus’ ministry. Tuesday is my missionary leadership class, which consists of a lot of discussion over the book we’re reading. It’s so wonderful to dedicate three hours a week to discussing different principles of missions. I’m learning so much. Wednesday I don’t have class, which is wonderful because I can catch up on homework. Thursday is my class on Acts (so incredibly amazing!!!!!!!). I’ll say it again, what an incredibly blessing to be able to spend three hours a week studying the ministry of the early church. Within the first week of classes we were required to read John, Luke, and Acts in their entirety with taking notes.
             Our second weekend here Abigail and I were able to travel to northern Serbia for a weekend outreach. It reminded me so much of the villages in Peru. It was almost like coming home. I think it was a sweet gift from God to help me settle in. The children were such a blessing. I’m not used to spending so much time around my peers and not with children. Serbia was such a sweet time with the kids and I cuddled a few babies too. My second weekend outreach was to a village here in Hungary. My dorm mom and most of my roomies drove and spent the weekend with Pastor George, his wife, and their son. I had so many favorite parts of being with the kids and the youth, but one of God’s sweet little blessings was just to be in the kitchen. At the castle all of our meals are prepared for us, which is an amazing blessing, but I do miss cooking.
            There have been many adjustments like a whole new community of people to meet and get to know. I’m sure all of the adjustments have been good for me and God is challenging me on so many levels. I’m so thankful to know that so many of you are supporting me in prayer.
            So when I started in housekeeping at the beginning of the semester we only had two vacuums, and they just didn’t suck. All of our work trying to clean the carpets was completely futile. Well the new vacuums arrived and it was ridiculous how excited I got. As I lifted the incredibly lighter weight piece of equipment and took it up the stairs (no elevators in the three story castle I live in, which is so good for character building), and began to clean the classrooms I pondered how valuable it is to have a sucky vacuum.
            “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
Matthew 5:13
             I can apply both of these to me (sorry mom). I want to be salty and sucky for Jesus otherwise I’m good for nothing (Although I probably should be using this time to become a better writer, because I know that Rachel will be ashamed of me when she reads this). Please be praying for Our 10-day outreach to Ukraine coming up in two weeks That I would be spending time just listening to God For the interns at the school that are working super hard for us this semester

Please be praying for:

Our 10-day outreach to Ukraine coming up in two weeks

That I would be spending time just listening to God

For the interns at the school that are working super hard for us this semester

Here are some pics from my weekend outreach trips to Serbia and Hungary