Ukraine

I just spent 5 days in Ukraine with 32 World Racers who were completing their trek around the world. They’ve abandoned all for the past 11 months to serve God and His people in 11 different countries on 4 continents. We met up with the squad and all stayed at a retreat center located 45 minutes outside of Kiev. The teams met in small groups to discuss with their coaches how these last few months have gone and to evaluate this year’s experience on the World Race. In the evenings we’d meet for corporate worship and some teaching here and there. It was a great time to celebrate all God has done this year!

During the afternoons we would journey into the city, which was quite the experience itself. Supposedly Kiev is known for being one of the most difficult cities in the world to navigate. I’d like to take a moment and confirm this. Even after 4 separate treks into the city, using the same bus and the same metro line – we never completed the journey without getting lost at least once. 

Some of my favorite times with these Racers was spent relaxing together in the evenings or at the coffee shop in downtown Kiev. I enjoyed getting to hear their hearts as they shared how God has transformed them and broken their hearts for the people of the world. Their stories of their own personal growth and freedom are inspiring. They are walking away from this year with new eyes, new ears, new minds, and new hearts. Their identity continues to be shaped, their worlds have been wrecked. They’ve met a God out here in the nations that they didn’t know before. 

I was also blessed to spend time with Michael & Kathy Hindes, Andrew & Mo Shearman, and Seth & Karen Barnes.  Michael is spear-heading the World Race, Seth is the head honcho of AIM, and Andrew is running the G42 school in Spain I wrote about earlier, he’s also a father of AIM who’s been involved for several years. All of these incredible people are living out the dreams the Lord planted in them years ago. They have sons & daughters in the Lord and they’re receiving the inheritance they’ve been promised. What an honor to spend time with them…to glean from their wisdom and experience, to be stirred to ask myself deep questions, to process with them and discover more of where I’m at on this incredible journey. I’ve been learning a ton about the Kingdom, about Covenant, Spiritual Gifts, and Faith. It’s been incredible to be poured into & empowered, and to see their hearts for my generation. 

Next stop….Romania. Here we’ll be catching up with the October World Race squad. They’ve finished 8 months and will be debriefing their past few months before continuing on here in Eastern Europe. I look forward to meeting them and spending time hearing of all God’s doing. Tune in again soon for a Romanian update! Thanks for all of your encouragement and prayers.