Friends, family, kind strangers – Christmas and the New Year are just around the corner, my prayer is that you find hope and excitement in the coming celebrations!
I will be spending the holidays with my family here in Northern California. The white Christmas I always hope for came a little early with quite the snowstorm! We have about two feet of snow on the ground and even as I write this it continues to fall. It’s an enchanting view. In fact, I’ll take a photo right now so you can see what I see…
I find myself in awe a lot these days. This past weekend I had a divine appointment with a handful of other missionaries who are impacting the world in beautiful ways. The Cause – my giving platform – hosted a retreat for their partners in the mountains of Southern California and I am beyond thankful that God orchestrated it so I could attend. My heart and soul needed this weekend of community and encouragement more than I could articulate here.
We worshiped, worked, considered, challenged, and encouraged. We danced, drank wine, and celebrated. We came together as the body the Christ and it was a holy thing.
It is because of your support that the Cause was able to host this and I was able to attend, so thank you. I have renewed excitement and blessing as I forge forward with God in this incredible calling to move to Ukraine.
Many of you have asked how the conflict at the Ukrainian/Russian border may affect my move, currently scheduled for January 31, 2022. The answer right now is – it won’t. My heart goes out to the people in Ukraine being affected by this tension. This conflict has been ongoing for 2014 and continues to build as Ukraine waits to see if the other world powers will continue to support their sovereignty.
In regards to me and my move, it shouldn’t affect my ability to get into the country and safely arrive in Uzhhorod, Ukraine – which is on the western side of the country. The conflict is on the eastern border. I promise I am not being flippant or ignorant in this move, Russia could make violent moves against Ukraine and I will be vigilant to stay safe in any situation.
If you would like to better understand what the Ukrainian people have experienced in their fights for independence and liberty, I highly recommend the documentary “Winter on Fire”, it is available on Netflix and may give some context to this ongoing conflict.
I always hope to give you greater insight into the orphan crisis happening in Ukraine. So I’d like to share a message I received from my friends Clinton and Lena with Shade for Children who are greatly helping me make this move possible and giving me the official “invitation” for my temporary residency.
Clinton and Lena are in the process to adopt and this is their current status:
“We're inching forward on the adoption. The more we see the more corrupt and broken the system appears to be. A little boy we want was surrendered just 12 days after birth yet he's been in the orphanage for almost 2 years already for no other reason than social services doesn't want to do the work to put him in a family. We think (and are praying) they will finally offer him to us in January. We have learned that the national registry website basically means nothing. It's frustrating.”
Please join us in prayer for this adoption! Clinton and Lena simply want to give a child a home and family.
The end of the year is often considered a giving season. I love that. It’s a beautiful representation of God’s love and faithfulness as we celebrate the gift of Jesus!
I invite you to consider me and my mission in Ukraine in your end-of-year giving! I am about halfway funded in monthly support to be able to sustain in Ukraine and ministry in this upcoming year. I am beyond thankful and humbled by your support thus far! If you are new here or haven’t found a mission to support, I would love to set up a call and share more of my heart with you.
Here are some practical needs I have to make my move to Ukraine and begin full-time ministry:
Finish covering moving costs (luggage, ground transportation) – $350
Savings fund to purchase a vehicle once I arrive in Ukraine – $5000
Legal costs for visas, registrations, etc. – $1000
Thank you again for investing in this mission through prayer, encouragement, and finances. I pray you have a safe and blessed rest of the holiday weekend!
with love,
Lina
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