Whenever someone says “Home again, home again” I always think of my friend Cody.  When we lived together after college she would always say that as we pulled into the driveway, “Home again, home again, jiggity jig!”  That was a bit of a side note…love you more than words Cody.  🙂

So, we made it home safe and sound late Wednesday night.  Now I’m up quite early blogging and Jed already left to go exercise.  Jet lag can actually increase your productivity, you know- or it can cause you to fall asleep on the couch at 7:15….before the kids are even in bed.  Yikes.

Being with our kids again is unbelievable.  Oh my word we missed them like crazy.  I know the Lord was totally in this though because although we missed them, it was never unbearable.  We were able to focus on what God was doing where we were at because we knew our kids were loved and cared for at home.  My mother-in-law rocks the house.  Seriously, she took such amazing care of our babies.  Every time we skyped they were so happy and so excited to tell us about their adventures with Grammy.  We are so blessed by this gift she gave to us.  Love you Grammy!!!!

We are happy to be home, but already missing Ukraine.  We left a big part of our hearts there.  I don’t know how God did it, but it’s like He supernaturally knit our hearts with the believers there.  Some people we knew less than a week, but if felt like we were old friends.  It felt like we had history together…and we had just met.  Crazy.  I guess that’s how it goes when your hearts beat for the same things.  We were so blessed by the friendships we found in Ukraine.  Honestly, that wasn’t something we expected.  We were going with a heart for the orphans there and were surprised to find many kindred hearts along the way.  We miss them already.

God alone knows exactly how this story is going to play out.  We know Ukraine is in our future, we just need step-by-step instructions about how that is going to come about and what it will look like.  At the conference, on our last night there, an awesome new friend from UK Vineyard was praying for us and he felt like God wanted us to dream big, not to think the dreams God has given us are too big, basically not to hold back.  He also felt we needed to know that the resources and provision would be right there when we needed it.  We’ve heard those promises from God many times in the past few months along this journey. It was so great to hear it again.  Thank you Lord that you know just what we need, right when we need it.  I’m not sure if you all remember, but the first verse God gave us on this journey was in

 Isaiah, chapter 54:

 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
    your descendants will dispossess nations
    and settle in their desolate cities.“

Sweet.
We’ll keep you posted as this journey unfolds.

Before I go, I wanted to give an accounting for the money that we took along for orphan care.  It was given by all of you and I want to make sure you know where it went!  Thank you thank you thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity.  Really, after seeing the need firsthand, and the people God is using to be the hands and feet to meet the need, you can be assured that this money will be used wisely and 100% will be used for His children.  He’s got some awesome workers out there doin’ the stuff!

So, here’s the accounting; if you have any questions or want any more clarification feel free to email us at johnson commune AT gmail DOT com (no spaces).

We went with $2200.

$70.00- charge at airport for extra bag carrying donated items for the children

 (craft kits, fluoride varnish, stuffed animals, exercise balls…)

$200.00- donation to Mission to Ukraine, specifically for their work in the Romaniv Orphanage

$70.00- to pay for the trip to see the Lost Boys (Praise God again for that miracle!!!)

$400.00- bought diapers and soda (a very special treat!) for the Lost Boys

$750.00- left for Slavik and Alyona to pay for 3 future visits to the Lost Boys.  When they go they normally take a large team of people, clowns, etc.. so they have to rent a van.  It costs about $250.00 a trip just to go there.

That leaves $710- this money was left for Slavik and Alyona to buy needed items for the Boys when they go on those next 3 visits.  After the visits Alyona will let us know that they went and what they bought to take along with.  When she shares that with me I’ll make sure to pass it on to all of you.  They really want to be accountable and we trust them that they love the boys and will use the money in the best way possible.  We love those two and you all would too!!!  🙂  

So, there you have it!  That money was given with such love, compassion, and generosity and we know that as Slavik and Alyona go they bring light and darkness is defeated.  Praise God for His workers in the fields.  Our prayers are so important…keep it up!

GOD WILL WIN THE DAY!!! 

Yesterday Nastya, one of the pastors of the Vineyard here, showed us around town.  It’s very different than Kiev.  As Nastya put it, “No one is in a hurry here.”  It does have more of a relaxed atmosphere, even though it’s a big city.  We walked through downtown to the Black Sea.  We walked past the Opera House and decided to peek inside.  We found out that tickets to see a show are less than $20, so we bought a couple tickets to see a ballet on Saturday night.  Woohoo!  That should be a blast.  I mean, when do you have the chance to see a ballet in a fancy Opera House for a total of $35?  We just had to do it.  🙂  Jed’s excited because Rachmaninoff conducted on it’s stage.

Today we met with an American missionary named Michelle.  It was AWESOME.  Michelle has lived here for the past 6 years working with orphans.  She has built great relationships with kids and has watched them grow up.  When they get transferred to other facilities she follows them and visits them at their new home.  She is a consistent presence in their lives.  Michelle came here on a two-week missions trip when she was a sophomore in college.  When she got home from her trip she kept pictures of the kids in her Bible and started praying for their salvation.  One night after praying for a bit God asked her “Michelle, how are these children going to come to know me if no one tells them?”  Soon after that she knew God was telling her she was the one to go.  She answered the call, and here she remains!  Cool.  We had a great time talking about visions, ideas, passions, and obedience.  Michelle is here doin’ the stuff.  It was an honor to meet her.

Tonight we will share at the Vineyard small group.  Tomorrow we are hoping to go with Nastia to an orphanage that she visits weekly.  

My brain is spinning- in a good way!  Ideas are brewing, faith is rising; this city has been great so far.  The more we talk with people, the more we realize that the dreams God has given us are truly impossible without Him.  There are many people doing great orphan care, of course many more are needed, but there are some amazing people doing great stuff.  So far though, we have not heard of anyone addressing the specific need we are burdened with.  No one is allowed to see these “laying down children”.  They are hidden from the world.  Today Jed and I were talking about how big our God is.  Governments, authorities, directors- none of them are above Him.  These are HIS children.  He created them for a purpose and He is not surprised or overwhelmed by their circumstances.  Our God IS mighty to save.  He is not sitting up in heaven wishing He could do something about this problem.  He does need people who are willing to step out and say “God, we are willing.  If you want to use us to tackle this problem, here we are.  We know it is not by our might or strength, but in yours alone.  Let your kingdom come and your will be done.”  While we risk sounding naive, I say we are full of faith.  🙂  

Those are where our thoughts are headed.  We don’t know timelines, we don’t know logistics, we don’t know details.  We just know we are willing.  I guess we’ll see what God has to say about that! 

Listen to this and let your faith be built. 

Thank you for your prayers.  We are so encouraged by the support of the church.  You are a part of this love story.  We feel very loved and supported and it means the world to us.  

Go God Go!