It's been a long time since I wrote a blog. In fact, looking back on this, it hasn't been since April 22 that I wrote a post. That post from April was from when we were in Germany, just a few days removed from Donetsk. I haven't known what to write about since we left Donetsk. We've been going through so much pain, I didn't even know what to say on here. But through all that, God is working in me and continuing to show me patience and His great love.
Since we left Donetsk in April, the Lord has brought, and is bringing, Emily and I through a very fiery trail - nothing like I've experienced before. It's hard to believe that it's been three months since God told us to leave Donetsk. After three months, it is still just as (or even more) painful than when we first left. However, just like Peter says in his first letter, "Through these trials, the genuineness of our faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." I'm holding on to that promise and that assurance that God is purifying and testing my faith in Christ and my walk with Him.
Seeing what is happening in Donetsk, I now understand Jesus' heart in a deeper way. In Matthew 9:36, talking about Jesus when He saw the people and multitudes, it says that "He was moved with compassion." My heart is so heavy for Donetsk. The last three months, my days began and ended with pain and weeping as I read the latest news or receive messages from people who live there. This still hasn't changed. Even today, reading the latest news - my heart has been moved with compassion - my heart is broken, my heart is heavy and burdened. It's now a daily thing for me to just come before the Lord, crying out to Him, feeling so hopeless and wrecked.
However, going through this and seeing how hard it is for me to watch the city and people I love so much going through this, I'm thankful that God has given me a heart and such a deep love for these people and the city of Donetsk. I'm thankful for feeling this way, because it's proving my genuineness of faith and love of Christ in and through me.
I also see how God is growing me closer to Him in this time. His Word says that "He is near to those of a broken heart." That's such an awesome promise that I have been holding onto. My heart is broken over the fighting, the bloodshed, the sin that is happening in Ukraine. My heart is broken over the lives that have been wrecked because of this. But through this promise, I realize that God's heart is broken over Donetsk as well. God actually loves the people and the city there far more than I could ever. And that's an awesome promise to hold onto through such a trying time.
With that being said, thank you all for your prayers and continued support as we go through this season. Please continue to be praying fervently for the situation and the people in Eastern Ukraine. Things are still escalating there. We're not sure what the future of Donetsk is or what our future is. But we do know that God is strong and mighty and He is on the throne. We know that we are in His will and we know that He loves us and that He loves His precious children from Calvary Donetsk.
Blessings,
Byron
Since we left Donetsk in April, the Lord has brought, and is bringing, Emily and I through a very fiery trail - nothing like I've experienced before. It's hard to believe that it's been three months since God told us to leave Donetsk. After three months, it is still just as (or even more) painful than when we first left. However, just like Peter says in his first letter, "Through these trials, the genuineness of our faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." I'm holding on to that promise and that assurance that God is purifying and testing my faith in Christ and my walk with Him.
Seeing what is happening in Donetsk, I now understand Jesus' heart in a deeper way. In Matthew 9:36, talking about Jesus when He saw the people and multitudes, it says that "He was moved with compassion." My heart is so heavy for Donetsk. The last three months, my days began and ended with pain and weeping as I read the latest news or receive messages from people who live there. This still hasn't changed. Even today, reading the latest news - my heart has been moved with compassion - my heart is broken, my heart is heavy and burdened. It's now a daily thing for me to just come before the Lord, crying out to Him, feeling so hopeless and wrecked.
However, going through this and seeing how hard it is for me to watch the city and people I love so much going through this, I'm thankful that God has given me a heart and such a deep love for these people and the city of Donetsk. I'm thankful for feeling this way, because it's proving my genuineness of faith and love of Christ in and through me.
I also see how God is growing me closer to Him in this time. His Word says that "He is near to those of a broken heart." That's such an awesome promise that I have been holding onto. My heart is broken over the fighting, the bloodshed, the sin that is happening in Ukraine. My heart is broken over the lives that have been wrecked because of this. But through this promise, I realize that God's heart is broken over Donetsk as well. God actually loves the people and the city there far more than I could ever. And that's an awesome promise to hold onto through such a trying time.
With that being said, thank you all for your prayers and continued support as we go through this season. Please continue to be praying fervently for the situation and the people in Eastern Ukraine. Things are still escalating there. We're not sure what the future of Donetsk is or what our future is. But we do know that God is strong and mighty and He is on the throne. We know that we are in His will and we know that He loves us and that He loves His precious children from Calvary Donetsk.
Blessings,
Byron
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