I’m realizing that this trip is not about large speaking gigs, but one-on-one relationships. Maybe I’m also learning that cross-cultural ‘ministry’ cannot be about large meetings and presentations from white Americans, but about relationship building around the kitchen table or in cramped church offices.
Today John and I spent the day with Sacha Savich, the Ukrainian pastor with whos family we are staying. We visited a castle, had pizza, and talked theology and ministry. It has been great to learn about Ukrainian culture and dream with him about impacting THIS place for Christ in Ukrainian ways, not simply importing the latest American model produced by Church Inc. What was also very cool was earlier that day he told us that a Ukrainian Chrisian magazine called him and wants him to start writing some articles for the magazine. The really cool part is that we’ve been encouraging him to begin writing for Ukraine, especially for Ukrainian pastors who want to start a church. When he started a church the only book he had was Warren’s “Purpose Driven Church,” and he realized that while there may be some good principles it just wont work in Ukraine. Right on! I’ve encouraged him some with my own experiences writing and have made it my mission to publish Sacha. Ukraine needs to hear what this man is saying about Jesus and the gospel!
Afterwards we visited with Sacha’s brother, Andre. Let me tell you: Andre is another up-and-comer in the Ukrainian Church who I think will have a lasting impact on the Church for the next generation. He is studying Youth Ministry at Kiev Theological Seminary and mentoring 12 young adults as his ministry. Sometimes he is frustrated and disillusioned with the church in Ukraine because the Orthodox church has such a stranglehold on the people and the more conservative protestants/baptists say that he and Sacha are betraying their people and the faith with their innovations. His perspective, though, is greatly needed for this country and for his little son Daniel who will be born in the next few weeks.
One of the great things to bubble up out of our conversation with Andre was a big kick in ass for me! Andre shared how he was layed off from work a few weeks ago and he has not been able to gain a new job. If you think the economic crisis is bad in the States you haven’t seen anything: inflation has almost doubled in Ukraine (1 dollar used to equal 5 grevna, now recently it equalled 10!) and people are losing their jobs. They do not know how they will make their 100 USD a month rent nor pay for the diapers they will need (once the baby comes they will probably spend around 400 USD a month for diapers!). John and I both felt convicted to give to him and his family, so we were able to give them a gift of $250.
This is where the kick in the ass comes in: 2 hours prior I was shoping for $50 shoes! What a typical consumeristic American I am! One of the reasons I was excited to come back to Eastern Europe is to be reminded how the rest of the world lives outside my comfy suburban white world. Now granted, I am thankful to God for that world, but I forget that many struggle and worry about what they will eat the next day and whether they will have a place to live. Sacha gets paid around 300 USD a year. Some pastors in USAmerica make 10 times that a week! Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy!
I have been thankful for the few opportunities to built some great relationships with solid, innovative, passionate Ukrainian brothers and pastors during this trip, while breathing some encouragement into their hearts, too. I am as equally thankful for the reminders to live simply and be content with what I need to live and serve Christ.
-jeremy
PS-Saturday John and I leave for the Carpathian Mountains to enjoy some R&R and meet with the leaders of Femiam. Should be a fantastic time, but dont expect any updates!
