Two weeks ago, our Discipleship Training School transitioned from the Teaching Phase to the Outreach Phase in Rivne. Outreach means living, traveling, and working in tight spaces with your team. You learn quickly about genuine community - how to adapt, bend without breaking, and find your place. Some days are beautifully chaotic, others are profoundly peaceful.
Lessons Beyond Expectations
At the local school, my presence created a bit of a stir. Being Asian in this small Ukrainian town meant I was an instant curiosity. Many children had never seen an Asian person before. Selfie requests became a frequent occurrence during our two days there.
But amid the attention, I felt that this shoudn’t be just about me being a novelty - it was an opportunity. While basking in their fascination, I sensed an inner urge to redirect their curiosity towards the reason why I am in the country. So, I decided to share Jesus' story.
My limited experience with children made this challenging. I wasn't sure how to capture their imagination or hold their attention. But something remarkable happened. Their genuine interest, their wide-eyed wonder, drove and propelled my sharing. They taught me to narrate faith with a simplicity - stripped of theological complexity, told with the pure excitement of discovering something miraculous.
Echoes of Shared History
At a local ministry serving the less fortunate, I met elderly Ukrainians who had lived through the Soviet era. Knowing we both wore the red scarf and joined the Youth Pioneer team in our respective countries, I used this shared experience as an entry point to my testimony.
Here, my testimony "From Communism to Christ" wasn't just a story - it was a bridge. These individuals, who had survived systemic oppression, listened with an intensity that spoke volumes. Our shared experience of communist life created a mutual understanding that transcended language and individual experiences.
When I spoke about my journey from a system that taught collective identity to finding personal value in Christ, their eyes reflected recognition. They weren't just listening; they were remembering, comparing, understanding. In that moment, our different paths intersected - a testament to how personal stories can become universal narratives of hope and transformation.
Hands Open, Heart Full
Two weeks feels both like a moment and a lifetime. As a foreigner, I've been overwhelmed by the love Ukrainians have shown me. Their generosity in the midst of war shows a resilience that humbles and inspires me.
I came thinking I had something to offer, but I'm leaving with my hands and heart full of gifts I could never have anticipated.