Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us...

Another Christmas in Ukraine. First of all, it's hard to believe that we have already spent two Christmases in Ukraine. I think that by looking back on last year's Christmas in Ternopil, as well as celebrating this year in Donetsk, all I can think about is how blessed Emily and I are. Seriously, how incredibly blessed by The Lord we are. My hope and prayer is that during this season, you have seen just how faithful our God is, as we have seen. 

Of course, being away from America and not doing our regular Christmas traditions often brings on emotions and feelings of being homesick. Just the other day I was looking through Facebook and saw that one of my friends was celebrating Christmas in New York City. My heart longed to be in New York. In America. What? I've only spent a total of 24 hours in New York in my entire life. Why do I miss it? Even though Donetsk feels very much like home now, Emily and I both have noticed that we were feeling pretty homesick the last few weeks. I love Ukraine so much, but I do miss America. 

But God is faithful.

We have a church family now, here in Donetsk. And while we felt homesick from time to time, we know where God wants us and we're so blessed by the people He has surrounded us with.

Much like we did for Thanksgiving, we wanted to host an outreach/celebration for our small church and friends. As Emily and I were thinking and praying about what to do, I was so blessed when our friends, a young family that attends our Bible study, offered to host the party at their apartment. They were so excited to serve and be a part of this new family we have here. 

In my feelings of discouragement that naturally comes with life, this simple Christmas Eve party that our friends hosted encouraged me so much. 

Currently, I've been teaching through the book of Acts. We're in chapters 4 and 5 now when we see the Early Church, coming together as one, with all their possessions and money, ministering, helping, and loving on those within the body who needed it. I felt like our fellowship was living this out in a way on Christmas Eve.

After we celebrated Christmas at our friends place with a small group of people. I felt like this was something like the church in Acts experienced. We came together to eat and celebrate (and of course watch How the Grinch stole Christmas), and there was no need or want. Our small fellowship was taken care of by each other and God's grace. This young family hosted the party, ready to serve, and I was just blessed by how The Lord is moving through us as a body.

Homesickness, I think, is part of the missionary life, but The Lord's blessings out weight it by so much, it's not even comparable!

Guys, God is faithful and good!

"Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" 1 John 3:1

Praying that you had a wonderful Christmas in The Lord!

Byron

(Here's a a video from our Christmas celebration)

Merry Christmas Donetsk '13 from Byron Johnson on Vimeo.