Back and Forth
Our Ukrainian friends didn’t expect a Russian invasion in early 2022, and so neither did we. Why would a country with so much shared history and relational connections attack?
So it was a disappointment when OMS leaders decided to evacuate us to Budapest a month before the invasion. And it was a shock when we woke up on February 23 to the news of bombs falling on Kyiv and Russian tanks crossing the various borders of Ukraine. These were our friends under attack. This was our home placed in harm’s way. This was a ministry and a way of life that might never be the same.
Although it paled in comparison to the suffering of Ukrainians in the war zones and the cities under attack, we still experienced some level of emotional trauma and pain. We threw ourselves into helping Ukrainian refugees in Budapest. We managed a temporary shelter, ran errands, and provided necessary transport and translation help.
It helped assuage the pain and made us at least feel useful, but it didn’t deal with the emotional wounds. Those got buried under a mound of busy activity that eventually left us feeling drained and in need of a break.
“Preparation is an important part of life. We prepare for many things—like school, work, and cooking. But there is a spiritual preparation for the challenges of life that often is overlooked.”
Thankfully the flow of refugees slowed by late May, and we decided to head to the United States for our planned home assignment. It came at a good time. That summer, we were able to stop and reflect. We were able to meet with pastoral counselors to process our emotions. We were able to connect with God in healing ways.
It was important preparation for our home assignment travel, but also for our eventual return to Ukraine. It gave us the healing and spiritual resources needed to travel nearly 20,000 miles across the US over seven months speaking in churches and meeting with supporters. And it enabled us to return to Ukraine with renewed energy and passion to partner with God in His work here.
Preparation is an important part of life. We prepare for many things—like school, work, and cooking. But there is a spiritual preparation for the challenges of life that often is overlooked. We weren’t ready for the challenges we faced during those early weeks after the invasion and it showed in our misplaced priorities that neglected things like proper rest and nutrition and taking time to process and express our emotions.
Lamentations 3:24 captures the key to spiritual preparation well.
“I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’”
If we hope to be well prepared for the unexpected challenges of life, we need to learn to wait on the Lord—pausing, resting in His presence, seeking connection with Him, and expressing our need of Him. For He is our portion and the only one that gives us the strength and wisdom we need for daily life.
Before returning to Ukraine in March 2023, we did need to prepare other things as well. Shopping and packing are always an important part of our preparations to return, but it’s so much easier these days.
When we first went to Russia 30 years ago during the rough years following the collapse of the Soviet Union, local goods were scarce and we were told to pack and take many staples and basic goods with us. But now we can buy most anything we need in Ukraine, so shopping and packing are much easier. We’re down to a jar of peanut butter, some chili powder, and our clothes and books. It’s a good thing too because the airlines have cut luggage limits from three 70-pound bags each down to one 50-pounder.
We usually don’t need to get new visas, but since we were out of Ukraine for more than a year, we had to this time. Thankfully we were passing San Francisco on our travels to churches and were able to stop by the Ukrainian consulate there.
Moving back and forth between countries means lots of packing, traveling, and goodbyes. However taking time to regularly prepare spiritually gives one the strength and wisdom needed for any transitions and challenges that may bring.
