Back at home in the States, I thought nothing of being surrounded by brothers and sisters in Christ 3 or 4 days of the week. I didn't realize the great value of little things like being around girls who dress modestly, young people who don't flirt but still have fun, kids and teens who respect their parents and encourage me to do the same, Christian role models to observe and gain advice from, and friends to have mature Christian conversation with. It was simply part of my life. But when we left the States, we sort of left that part of our lives as well. All those things are little and simple, but are greatly missed; they spring from the Body of Christ and are so precious!
I cannot go without saying, however, that I am totally thankful for the local Baptist church we attend in Ukraine. Yes, the small congregation is almost entirely elderly women and I cannot understand very much of the service, but just being in the presence of fellow believers- whether I understand their words or not- is something to be thankful for. Joy is written on the faces of these saints. A loving welcome is always present. When they weep during their prayers or sing melancholy hymns before communion, I can understand. We may not be able to converse as easily as we'd like, but we are united and all have a common ground of loving and serving a God who redeemed each of us, undeserving sinners. Therefore, we can understand each other. Interestingly enough, as a Christian, I can have a better understanding of a church in an unknown language than a non-believer in a church of his own language. And praise God for that.
One of the things I've learned from being in Ukraine is that the Body of Christ is so precious. Along with the author of Hebrews I want to encourage you “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another...” (Hebrews 10:25). Being away from the Church as I'm accustomed to it has been probably the greatest difficulty to face in a foreign country, but God has called us here and I know He will help us through the difficulties. He knows all our needs and only He can fulfill them.
