Created for a Mission

Where to begin? On Thursday morning at 6:00am, Christine and I headed out west to the Ukrainian-Polish border in her car. I decided I did not have enough experiences on the Polish border; that I needed to try every means of transportation to see the result. Joke! It was an overcastted day but a great early morning drive. We navigated the city of Lutsk without getting lost. We were encouraged when we arrived at the border and the line was significantly shorter than the last time Christine brought her car across. After about a two hour wait, we finally arrived at the border. The Ukrainian authorities searched the car and told us we could go one to passport control. This is when Christine and I had an opportunity to pray together, trust in the Lord and see Him work. As they lady, Natasha, looked at my passport. She asked for a document I never received. Then she told me I was illegally in the country and that I should have left every 90 days. I told her that I was not told this because I have a visa and I registered with the police for the term of my visa. Apparently, this was not enough. She became very agitated. She called her superiors. She was on the phone for a long time. This is when Christine and I began to pray without each of us knowing it. We prayed for Natasha, we prayed for God to grant us favor. Natasha became calmer but eventually told us to wait in the car. We prayed together while in the car. After only a few minutes, Natasha came out of the booth and handed us both our passports. God answered our prayer. We could proceed to go into Poland turn around and return to Ukraine, as this is necessary for Christine to do ever couple of months. God gave us favor with the Polish authorities and the officer allowed us to turn around right at the border, ahead of a waiting line of cars. This time no two hour wait. So, we drove up to the Ukrainian border, were given the immigration form to complete by a very friendly officer. She then told us to go on to passport control to get back into Ukraine. They were waiting for me because as we pulled up an officer approached the car and said, you are the one they were talking about with the visa. He explained to me the law. I explained to him, I didn’t know all the nuances, no one told me in the various office I’ve been in what was necessary. Even my recent trip, in March, to the immigration office, they just made a copy of my documents. He told me that they should not let me back in Ukraine, but I should have to go to the Consulate in Poland and get a new visa. I prayed. I told him I only have a short time left on my visa and would have to renew it again soon. I asked him, what I will do; live with him, because I don’t have a car or a way to go anywhere. He listened. He was sympathetic. I asked him what I can do so that I am doing things in order in the future. He answered. He told us to wait in the car. We prayed again. Prayed for his heart, the heart of his authorities and for God’s will because I believe He has called me to Ukraine. The officer came back to the car, explained some more. I apologized. I explained some more. He told me he would let me go. God answered this prayer too. During this short yet adventurous trip God showed me there are many more papers under rocks in this journey, but Him will always lead me to the right rocks and He is able to work out every situation for His glory when I place my faith, confidence and trust in Him. All glory to God!!!

This is the Scripture that can to mind for this day: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isa 26:3-4 NKJV

Now, you may ask, why did you go? I went for a number of reasons. Christine needed to go and I wanted to serve her so she wouldn’t be alone. Also, I have multi-entry visa to Ukraine and I haven’t left the country since receiving it. When I renew my visa, I don’t want there to be any questions why I need a multi-entry visa. Finally, as a part of my understanding Ukrainian culture, it is my goal to visit many different areas in Ukraine. I was able to visit Lutsk today and ride through a number of smaller villages. Here are some pictures from our journey back where God gave us more grace through the people we met in Lutsk.  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171206&id=550104316&l=e4a7544c7b