Religion takes us to a place, but relationship brings us to a person. As we encountered Jesus in our own lives and started following Him, He lead us to Ukraine. As a nation with a longstanding Christian history, one stumbles upon golden-domed churches at every corner. Yet many people arrive at a place without encountering the person. So we dedicated our lives to teaching the Word of God and training the next generation of Bible teachers in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.
Our life and ministry changed drastically as Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24th, 2022. The love for God that once brought us to this nation led us to stay in this nation, even as bombs were falling around us in the capital Kyiv. We are committed to serving the Lord and reconciling people back to Him in season and out of season. Overnight our ministry changed from Bible teaching in a classroom to food distributions and evacuations in the midst of a war zone.
We are committed to being an answer to Ukraine’s immediate needs in this time of war, but even more to rebuilding this nation spiritually.
Feel free to follow our journey into an unknown future, looking up to a known God.
Gradient
A study in light, color, and form. Created in studio with a collection of damaged lenses that I’ve acquired over the years. Each is available as a 18×24 inch giclee print on archival paper.
- There was another in the fire.
There was another in the fire… These words meant nothing to me. Don’t get me wrong, I do think the story of the fiery furnace is indeed regal, but that is it. The truth from the story never transcended into my everyday life until February 26. Shadrach Meshach and Abednego stood firm for what they believed in, resulting in them being bound and thrown away into a fiery furnace by the King of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He asked, “Did we not cast… - Invisible stains
We climb the stairs of Ira’s house. It was her pride – the only house in the street with three stories, even a small balcony to overlook the village and the fields. Her pride turned into her nightmare on the day the Russians came. The house with the best sunset view turned into a fortress for Russian occupants. Snipers used the balcony and the upper floor to seek out innocent targets. Ira and her family were exiled into the freezing cold basement. The home built to host a big… - Fixing Broken Windows – Ukraine
In early March, Masha’s house was surrounded from all sides. Miraculously, it is still standing, but the windows burst from the shelling all around. Marie and I were blessed with some funds to fix the windows of a few homes in this particular village. Here’s to many more to come.
MJ in UA 