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March 23, 2016
Shared Walls, Shared Lives
By Crossworld
UKRAINE — “Will you come?” Crossworld workers Micah and Kim asked their 65-year-old neighbor Vasylna as they sat around the dinner table. Vasylna shook her head, still terrified at the thought of going to a Protestant church.
Micah and Kim weren’t too surprised; Vasylna had refused repeated invitations for the past two years. Raised in the Soviet Union during its most unstable time, Vasylna had learned to distrust foreigners and religious groups.
In fact, Micah and Kim remembered when even the thought of coming to dinner at their apartment had terrified Vasylna! The first time she accepted, she stayed no more than 30 minutes before she ran out of their apartment. But now, Vasylna sat comfortably around the table like a family member over for dinner. Perhaps she’ll come to church one day, thought Micah.
A few weeks later, on Easter Sunday, Micah and Kim exchanged surprised smiles when the church doors opened and Vasylna walked in! Her attendance was far from a decision to follow Jesus, but it was a start. Micah and Kim’s friendship has begun to show Vasylna that hope for Ukraine’s future and hope for her soul have one and the same solution — Jesus.
As you celebrate Christ’s resurrection with your families, pray for Vasylna and others like her, who still fear the loving God they don’t yet know.
Italicized names were changed to protect identity.
Micah and Kim weren’t too surprised; Vasylna had refused repeated invitations for the past two years. Raised in the Soviet Union during its most unstable time, Vasylna had learned to distrust foreigners and religious groups.
In fact, Micah and Kim remembered when even the thought of coming to dinner at their apartment had terrified Vasylna! The first time she accepted, she stayed no more than 30 minutes before she ran out of their apartment. But now, Vasylna sat comfortably around the table like a family member over for dinner. Perhaps she’ll come to church one day, thought Micah.
A few weeks later, on Easter Sunday, Micah and Kim exchanged surprised smiles when the church doors opened and Vasylna walked in! Her attendance was far from a decision to follow Jesus, but it was a start. Micah and Kim’s friendship has begun to show Vasylna that hope for Ukraine’s future and hope for her soul have one and the same solution — Jesus.
As you celebrate Christ’s resurrection with your families, pray for Vasylna and others like her, who still fear the loving God they don’t yet know.
Italicized names were changed to protect identity.
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