Free Rice

Check out this website. For every vocabulary word you guess the correct definition of, the site will donate 10 grains of rice to help fight hunger. If you get the definitions wrong, the words get easier. You can keep playing as long as you want.

www.freerice.com

Reading List

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends;

they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors,

and the most patient of teachers.

~Charles W. Eliot

I wanted to share some of my life with you this morning. Since I absolutely love reading, I figured there's no better way to do so but to share with you my reading list for the next few months.

What Jesus Demands from the World (by John Piper)

Startling Beauty (by Heather Gemmen)

Crazy Love (by Francis Chan)

Ordinary Resurrections (by Jonathan Kozol)

In the busyness of it all...

I have neglected keeping you updated - sorry. It's been a busy semester and I will try to do better from now on.


Here's what we've been up to:

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Week 3 of Sidewalk Sunday School spring semester 2010. We've had great first two weeks and I am blessed to have a great team.

Top row: Jason from USA, Janelle from Canada, Susi from Germany, Helen from Belarus

Bottom row: Bryan from USA, Patty from Mexico, Nadine from Germany

Jason and Nadine are our wonderful interns for these four months and so far they've done incredibly well. Feel free to lift them and the rest of my team up in your prayers as we minister to the kids in NYC.

The semester started off with a week of lessons on Easter. It rained for the first couple of days but it provided an amazing opportunity to teach children and their parents in a smaller group setting and really explain to them that Jesus died to open the way to God and He is alive today by the power of God who raised Him from the dead. We kept sharing that news with everyone even a little boy at McDonald's whose mom asked me to explain to them the meaning of Easter.

And even though my birthday is not until tomorrow - I had an incredible week celebrating my birthday with Sunday School kids. The kids made lots of cards and the team baked lots of cupcakes - and we all had fun. And today I had a great time just being with my friends - having our nails done and barbecuing outside. I am so grateful for my friends.

I have been very busy with ministry-related events... and even though I miss having lots of time in the mornings to have a longer devotional, enjoy my breakfast slowly and catching up on blogging and all my friends' blogs - the exhilaration that comes from seeing the smiles on the kids faces during the fun parts of our programs or the peace that comes upon them during our lessons is well worth it. Please know that even though we've been busy and failed to keep in touch - we are truly grateful for friends like you and we're still serving Him faithfully.

Summit VI

Just to throw it out there for all those involved in orphan care, adoption advocacy, etc. If you have not yet made plans to attend this event - prayerfully consider if you should.

To go to the Summit's web-page click here.

Invitation to Summit VI from Christian Alliance for Orphans on Vimeo.

Risk in Dreaming

Why is pursuing one's dreams always involves risk? Why can't my dreams be a natural progression of the course my life has already taken? Why do I have to give up, let go, change, move, start?

I am standing at the bridge with a torch in my hand. I know once I cross, there's no turning back. I am afraid for I do not know what exactly awaits me on the other side. My feet feel as if they were filled with lead. The first step so difficult, so unimaginable.

If I take that step - I am making a proclamation that what is here, on this side, is simply not enough for me. If I take that step - I leave all others behind in the comfort of their complacency. If I take that step - I shall be forced to walk alone.

What if I don't? What if I stay? I shall lose nothing by staying... or shall I?

I am standing at the bridge with a torch in my hand. I must decide.

Thoughts on Freedom

Do not be fooled. God will not set you free on your terms. He will not do it your way. He will not accept your conditions. He knows what is holding you captive and He is mighty enough to set you free. But you have to accept His way and His terms and His conditions. You have to surrender and accept the sovereignty and the greatness of God. Who do you think you are to dictate to God the way He needs to work in your life? God owes you nothing. He owes you nothing. He is under no obligation to give you anything. You already had complete freedom when you have come to Christ and you have turned away from it. Your insecurities, your unhappiness, your uncertainty, your pain, your nightmares, your loneliness, your fears, your hurt – all came because you believed the words of the Lucifer rather than the words of GOD. And now you’re running to others to wipe out your insecurities, to fill your loneliness, to calm your fears… they cannot and therefore will not help you. When you look into your heart deep enough – you do not want to be free. You are comfortable in your miserable existence. You love your excuses. God will not give you partial freedom. He will not take you out of prison to put you on a house arrest. He wants you to be free. Free from your insignificance. Free to serve Him and worship Him and live for Him daily. Free to love Him without restraint and fear. Only this way you will bring glory to His name – which is what you have been created for. As long as you are stubborn, as long as you are hidden, as long as you give God only partial access to your heart – nothing will happen. In His grace you will have temporary relief from your turmoil – but you will keep returning to your place of pain as the dog returns to its vomit.

You need to repent. Who are you to judge what is good for you? There’s only One who is good and He knows your needs. Run to Him. You need forgiveness for you tried to put yourself and your ideas of life on the throne that rightfully belongs to the Lord. He will not have it. Return to the fear of God. What you’re doing is dangerous. You’re playing with fire. For one day the Lord may look upon you and say, “OK then, have it your way” and your life will crumble. Seek His face while He is still to be found. Turn to Him before it’s too late. Beg Him to unveil His wonderful plan for your life – that no eye has seen, no ear has heard. Let Him be the Master and the Maker. Give Him the freedom to allow things into your life and to ban things out of your life. Do not dare take the reins back from Him.

James 4:7 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The devil will never flee from you – unless you resist him. And you can’t resist him successfully without the power of God. And you will not have the power of God unless you submit to Him. Therefore submit to God. No questions asked. No hidden agenda. Submit. That’s when freedom will come.

Where Is Home?

You can never go home again, 

but the truth is you can never leave home, 

so it's all right. 

~Maya Angelou

 

It's an interesting feeling coming to a place where you lived... no longer as a rightful owner - but as a guest.


I moved to New York 7.5 years ago... yet for a while my move was uncertain due to political and immigration issues between our countries.  I kept on living in New York waiting to see what would happen.  I married a wonderful man and by that finalized my move.

I've come to visit my family before and the room I had shared with my brother was kept the same.  Even last year Bryan & I stayed at my grandma's house which was just as I remembered leaving it in 2002. 

And now I am here again.  It's no secret to anyone that my brother is the only one occupying the room now.  My books have been packed away, my bed and my desk - taken apart and thrown out.  I get to sleep on a couch in the living room.  I am a guest now.  Family visiting from another place.  Oh what a strange feeling!

And yet - despite all changes to the decor - it all breathes memories... memories that won't (and shouldn't) be replaced.

It's so good to be home with my family in Minsk - and at the same time - with the same intensity of heart - I can't wait to be back home with my family in New York

Love of my life...

I love you, the love of my life

I need you, our love is right

I’ve found the one that my soul loves

No other love means so much

This song played at our wedding...

Today is Valentine's Day...

I am in love =)

I am in love with my husband...

yes I am!

He is a wonderful and caring man who makes me feel as if I were the most beautiful woman in the world.

I love him so much!

... but most importantly - I am in love with the One who created my husband...

He is the One who gave me hope when I felt hopeless.
He is the One who strengthened me when I could not go on.
He is the One who guided me when I was not sure where to go.

He is... LOVE OF MY LIFE... forever!

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,"

says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

(Isaiah 54:10)

In Time Of Sorrow

There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go.

~Author Unknown

I don't always understand why certain things happen.  I can't answer every unspoken 'why'.

But I know that through the most difficult of times He is holding my hand, surrounding me with people who care, giving me strength to keep going and hope that better times are yet to come.

Natasha's Visit

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."

- Abraham Lincoln

It was so wonderful to have my friend Natasha with us this weekend. For years we've been joking about how she just needed to visit me in New York and it finally happened.

It is truly amazing how with some friends it's so easy to catch up even when you have not seen them in 6 years.

Mexico Adventures (The Ultimate Quest)

QUEST FOR LOVE

Mexico Adventures (Days 3+4)

Adventure #6

QUEST FOR SPEED

Riding ATV's in the sand dunes

Mexico Adventures (Day 2)

Adventure #3

QUEST FOR PEACE

(morning view - cup of coffee in hand, still in PJ's - nowhere to rush)

(afternoon view - speaks for itself - still nowhere to rush)

Adventure #4

QUEST FOR SIMPLE FUN

Time to kick off shoes

go look for sea shells

and play in the sand

Adventure #5

QUEST FOR NATURAL BEAUTY

One of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

Mexico Adventures (Day 1)

Adventure #1

QUEST FOR JAVA

Of course we brought coffee with us but we felt like exploring. So we're off to scavenge the land for a good coffee shop.

There is no Starbucks in Puerto Penasco but smart locals have come up with a substitute coffee shop called Santana's Coffee (check out their logo). The logo looks just like Starbucks from far away and draws the tourists in.

Our choice of the day however was a small place called Max's - located away from the busy tourist area.

Max's Cafe boasts free Wi-Fi and a full espresso bar.

(Milky Way Latte - yummy goodness of espresso, caramel, chocolate and milk)

(We ended up having lunch @ Max's and here's the photo of my Nachos Supreme
- doesn't look too exciting but it was oh so yummy)

Adventure #2

QUEST FOR ICE-CREAM

So... we like ice-cream... a lot... And how can you experience the culture without trying what you like?

(aren't these ice-cream bars so super cute??? - they were yummy too)

... to be continued ...

Merry Christimas to All

...in search of all things beautiful...

One of my facebook friends once had a profile status: [name] is in search of all things beautiful.

What is beautiful to you? Where do you see beauty?

In a majestic tapestry of fall colors? In steady breath of a sleeping child? In a hand of your wife firmly planted in yours as you pray over your meal? In undefeated strength of the Alps? In the hand of Michelangelo?

I saw beauty this week.

On Monday Metro Ministries with the generous financial support of Kraupner Pharmacy hosted our annual event called "Night of 100 Stars". The event is organized by a man who used to be a transvestite prostitute and drug addict. After Christ set him free from this lifestyle, his heart was broken for people just like him who are “looking for love in all the wrong places” and wouldn’t come to Christ because most churches are afraid to reach out to them. So he decided to create a night that shows these women God’s true love in a way they never have experienced before. The ladies are picked up from local drug rehabs and shelters and treated to a grand day out. It starts with a makeover. They have their hair and nails done, and receive a gown that they get to keep after the event. Then they are escorted into a banquet in their honor and are announced by name as honored guests as they enter. After dinner the gospel message is presented with a powerful drama. Many women come to the altar and allow Jesus to set them free.

They were so beautiful. I wish I could post many pictures but I am choosing not to (to protect the ladies' privacy). Even more than having you look at the pictures - I wish you could have been there. I wish you could have seen all that inner beauty and strength burst out from under the layers of toughness and the toil that the substance abuse would take on your life. There was joy in their eyes now. I would look at them and couldn't help but say "You look fabulous" and their teary-eyed response made me see how it was so worth it.

At the banquet I sat at one of the tables with the ladies. It was a blessing to see all 5 of them respond to the altar call. My prayer today is that they will be able to stand strong through the testing of their decision to follow Christ and come to church on Sunday and get rooted in the Word of God.

Washington, D.C.

Last Monday our team went on a road trip to Washington DC. It was amazing for all of us foreigners to visit the capital of the nation that we serve in ministry. A few of us have been here before but it was great to be reminded once again of the freedom that this country offers to those who come here.

What have we been up to...

Wow - there's a lot going on here in NYC and we have been very busy. Soon we'll find a time to do a good update on this blog but for now we hope you enjoy the condensed version ;)

Fall is beautiful here. For years I was more of a spring fan but this year the majestic colors and the fresh crisp air captured my heart. Bryan & I took a lovely walk in Prospect Park on Monday and I am now officially in love with fall.

Fall is also the busiest time in ministry. Somehow people are more open to the gospel during holiday season. It is getting colder outside but we still do our best to reach as many kids and adults for Christ as possible every day.

The church has also done (and continues to do) many different events. 2 weeks ago we held a beautiful event called "All Nations" (Bryan will write an update on it soon). Last Sunday there was a private screening for "To Save A Life" - an amazing movie that raises a lot of questions about hurting high school teens but also provides answers. The movie will be out in January. This coming Sunday is a couple's meeting. And of course for the past couple of weeks we've also been wrapping Christmas gifts for our Christmas outreach. Needless to say we've been busy busy busy.

Please keep praying for us to stay close to the heart of God and minister His love to those who are hurting.

Thankful

I am thankful for freedom...

http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2009/10/16/22875/

Bounce House Praise Report

Just wanted to share our joy - in less than a week all the money needed for the bounce house was raised... Yay!!! It'll be coming soon.