Today is Women's Day in many parts of the world. In Ukraine, it's a holiday complete with the giving of small gifts or candy or anything you might have on hand. For at least the last 3 or 4 years we have had a women's team here from the states during this time to gather Ukrainian women together for a special celebration of who they are in Christ. It's kind of strange not being with a couple of hundred women today, but the Lord is providing some fellowship through one of our Ukrainian sisters, Nina, and her granddaughter in a couple of hours.
I've lived in this region of the city (Saltavka) for the past 8 months, after living in the center of the city for 7 years. It's a bedroom community, and the block where my apartment is located probably is home to some 30,000 Ukrainians. I love it....but so far have not developed friendships with any of the women in this area. Oh, there is the "babuska brigade" that sits outside whenever the weather allows, and sometimes I sit with them, but so far the Lord has not opened the door for deeper relationships. Today, however, as I was taking Shadow for her afternoon walk, I found myself asking the Lord to give me some friends that live near me. It's not that I feel lonely. I am blessed with opportunities each week to have time with folks who are becoming friends, but they don't live in this area. But today that request just went up from my heart to the Lord.
I don't know why I still find myself surprised when He answers quickly. He's always faithful, and He always answers! But as I headed to my entry today, I heard someone calling "Linda....Linda." I turned around and there was one of the women from Grace Church that meets in the same building as New Hope. She lives in an apartment in the same building as mine, but for 8 months our paths have never crossed. She handed me a small package of cookies in celebration of Women's Day, and we both talked about needing to get together in the near future - now that we know we live so close. I told her that just a few minutes before, I had asked the Lord to give me some friends here, and then our paths crossed.
I'm just thankful today that the Lord is watching over what seem to be "the little things" in my life. Relationships here don't happen quickly.....most Ukrainians are guarded, and while they might say hello, it takes a long time (and the Lord) for things to go any deeper. But Jesus was all about relationships, and I believe that small prayer, and His answer, were reminders to me today that He is still at work in my life.
1 comment:
I am so amazed with the way the Lord has used you to bless so many people and touch so many lives. I always knew you to be warm and caring and this is just a wonderful testimony of the grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father, and how he uses chosen individuals to bring the message to those who other wise may go a lifetime without knowing of his love. I have always believed that live angels walk and live among us and I feel Linda that you are truly one of those heavenly creatures. It is a privilege to read your blogs. I really enjoy them. God Bless you and the work you are doing in his name. And thank you for being my friend. I love you. Becky
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