Trips Blog

When I was asked to be a part of this trip, I said “Yes” without question. Meeting war-affected Ukrainians sounded like the opportunity of a lifetime. I remember how excited my mom, Susan, and I were sitting in a hotel room in Washington when we heard the news that the trip was going to happen. I felt like this trip would change my life, but I didn’t know how much weight the trip would carry. Our team met so many amazing people whose stories we are sharing through these blogs. I would like to tell you Vlada’s story.

It is apparent to all if you have had the television on over the last 113 days, what has been and still is happening in Ukraine. We have heard the stories from news correspondents’ reports but to see and hear first-hand, suddenly puts a face with a name.

Spreading the gospel in Eastern Europe is like plowing through concrete. There are many reasons for this, some of which we have heard throughout our visit: communism and its atheistic and deterministic worldview of choice – naturalism; church traditions that emphasize ritual over discipleship; the church’s historical connections with power politics in the region; and a harsh pessimism within the culture that seems almost a birthright. It is no mystery that When Atlas Shrugged and

We think we have lost our homes, but in Jesus our home is always secure (Sermon on Sunday 6/13 by Pastor Saulius Karosas, City Church). Under normal circumstances such words would likely have passed almost unheard as predictable preaching. Yet, sitting in worship being interpreted in Russian, Ukrainian, and English while surrounded by grandmothers and mothers with eyes welling with tears, such words took on fresh meaning. “In my Father’s house there are many mansions…I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). Our homes are destroyed, but Jesus has made a home for us with the Father that Putin can never destroy.

Little boy, adults’ eyes closed in prayer, weaves his four-year-old body through a hushed crowd toward the food table. The prize, a bowl of cherries, he hopes to pilfer before being found out. He wears a yellow shirt with blue lettering, “Life is Good.” And so it is – four-year-old little hands desiring nothing more than to be filled with snuck cherries, a room of laughter and prayer and safety – indeed, life is good.

Visiting Refugees in Diaspora in Lithuania

The Outreach Foundation’s team visiting relief partners for the Russian war in Ukraine arrived after several travel delays on Thursday, June 9. Our team consists of 15 wonderful individuals from across the U.S. including Jack Baca (The Outreach Foundation board chair), Tom and Joy Boone, Noura Eid, Jill Gilbert, Bill Goff, Spence Maners, Josh Montoya, Susan Montoya, Andrei Motta, Lisa Quinones, Matt Rejmaniak, Sam Waitt, Jim and Sheryl Wood.