GOD IS PROVIDING FOR THOSE IN UKRAINE
Each teacher trains students about Kingdom business principles from different perspectives. Although I helped teach these principles, when I trained students during my time in Ukraine, I primarily focused on connecting with our students’ hearts. Getting to the root of things, that desire to seek the heart, led me to many connections and conversations with our students. All of the students came to learn about Kingdom business building and to truly understand what it looks like to love employees, how Jesus loves them. But, in addition to this, I had the opportunity to understand what Jesus had started doing in our students’ lives and how they are using that for their business. For example, one man wanted cows so he could meet his family’s needs and also help his neighbors get resources while sharing the gospel. Another man wanted to open up a school and teach children from a loving and encouraging perspective — something that most Ukrainian schools do not do. These conversations were done with our interpreter, Elena, with whom I created a close relationship. I was back home when the tragedy in Ukraine occurred. When I first heard the news, my initial thought was, “I can’t believe this is happening.” It seemed like time moved in slow motion during this time. I empathize with our students, and I tend to put myself in their shoes and try to understand how they feel. I would get anxious thinking about seeing a plane fly over my house and seeing dirt, dust, and debris cloud the air. It felt frightening to think about. I’m not in Ukraine myself, but I’ve been getting live updates from Elena. The war was coming right to her doorstep, and it was very frightening for her and her two young children — they immediately needed to evacuate and seek safety. So, she picked them up and evacuated to the Polish border, leaving everything she knew and loved behind. Her first text to me came when she made it to the border … and she couldn’t find anyone to take her across to safe land. Then, two hours later, God carried her and took care of her. Finally, someone brought her across the border and provided her and her children with a place to stay. But Elena did not know what her next steps would be. So, she decided to pray and hope that God would keep her family safe. She then
received news that there were three seats on a bus that would go to Spain. She texted me explaining that it felt amazing to see how God provided for her every step of the way. Although Elena shared her gratitude for the blessings God provided her, she still felt grief and loss that she had to leave everything she knew behind. But one day, she found serenity and peace. Elena sent me a text that I would like to share. “I was sitting on the grass, and it felt like home. Every tiny piece of grass showed me the past, the future, and what God is doing in my life. I got a strong feeling that I was at home. I realized that the planet, the world, belongs to God, and because He is our Father, this planet is mine. I shouldn’t be tied to the walls. He can give me new walls. Most importantly, He knows who I am, and I know Him. That gave me comfort and peace.” Within a matter of weeks, I witnessed Elena go from grief and sorrow to peace and comfort because of God’s power and presence in her life and ours. Hearing her story and God’s role in her life inspired me to see the blessings God has provided me and think about how I am trusting God. Hearing about firsthand experiences of the tragedy in Ukraine is heartbreaking. But seeing how God is protecting, providing, and showing Himself to our students is beautiful. It shows us that God is always with us and that He has a plan. Even with tragedy and darkness around us we can find peace and comfort because of our faith in our Lord and Savior.
– Amy Kallman
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