The missionaries share with us through email, when we get back, what
an impact the ministry has had on them. Enjoy this email from Becky that serves
in Ukraine. You made a difference in her life through your praying,
giving, gifting, and going.
Love you all,
His,
Vickie
Dear Vickie,
I wanted to take a few minutes to let you know what a wonderfully renewing
time the retreat was for me.
When I left Ukraine on Monday, it was snowing and cold. Nothing was
quite yet in bloom...but had signs of the promise of blossoms. Today, as I look
out my bedroom, Ukraine is alive with spring. The birds are singing, the cherry
trees have sweet smelling blossoms, and ground is alive and growing
(unfortunately with some dandelions, too!).
In reflection, this is a valid picture of myself. When I left
Ukraine to come to the retreat, I was tired, cold, and frozen....spiritually,
emotionally, and physically. The last year, as you know, has been filled
with war, deaths, separations, and disappointments for me. In protection,
I had shut down. I was functioning on auto-pilot and had lost my joy.
Within the first 24 hours of being at Pure Joy, the thaw began. I
remember Jerre Moore (not alone....she was with others!!!! :-) stopping me on
the streets of Naples even before I had registered. Her words began the
thaw as she told me how intensely she had been praying for me this past year. (The
ice cracked.) She hugged me (crack!!!) and introduced me to the others. That
was the beginning of the great thaw. And it continued... from the warm
greetings of the leaders as I registered, the hugs from ones met in Prague, and
on and on. The newly thawed and wet ground was ready to hear the Word of
God speak truth into my heart through the gifted speakers and renew the joy and
PEACE that comes from Him.
Thank you for the safe place to allow the Holy Spirit to work! I
thank God for the vision He gave you to begin this ministry, and for your
obedience to His voice. I truly can say that this time away with Pure Joy
was an answer to a desperate prayer!!!
In His Hope,
Becky
No comments:
Post a Comment