Why a blog? Honestly, it is not something I have aspired to do. The thought of this…I just cringed as I know how much effort I put into most of my FB posts. This takes far more time than a post. I have been encouraged by others to start a blog because they like my stories, now that part I do enjoy. To tell a story that may help others along the way, or it can be used to help a particular person, then I am all for that.
One day FB decided to close down part of my page for an hour. The reason was so generic, no clear explanation of why. That was the day, that was the push that I needed to say, Okay Lord. By now, God had someone who could make connections with a sweet lady who set this up for me, just to be a blessing! I am learning way more about all of this than I thought….it just seemed so simple. 😉😂 This is all a learning process, trial and error, so unsure should I click this button or no, where did everything go??? 😮
This entire year has felt like a learning process. My first trip to Ukraine, I was asked do you have Signal….what is signal? Do you have What’s App, Viber, Telegram, Mega…. oh, my word! Now I know what all of those apps are, a learning process. I have set in front of a computer screen for hours, either working on my newsletters, email data base, follow up emails, letters, fundraising and so forth, trial and error. I have had the privilege to set in front of a camera and record 3 different parts of my story, along with 2 different podcasts.
The first time I would meet missionary Kevin Smith, was at a Friday morning church service in Odessa, Ukraine. His family would be the connection to introduce me to Ukraine. Through divine providence all needs were met, and I went on my first ever missions’ trip in January 2023. Every step before going to Ukraine was an act of obedience. Once in Ukraine, Kevin had already explained how I could be used, since I did now know the language….so what language do they speak, you might ask? Ukranian and Russian, but both are Greek to me. Since I did not know the language, Kevin said I could take the place of someone who did, and that person could share the Gospel. I thought I would be packing food boxes and things of that nature.
Then that fateful day of our first meeting not long afterwards he said: The pastor would like you to speak, to share something…he kept talking but I was not hearing a thing. As he is talking to me, I am talking to God. God, this is not what I am supposed to do, this is not what I signed up for, this is not……STEPHANIE…….I stopped, took a deep breath and said, Lord I did not come here to sit on my duff, I cannot do this on my own, I need you to do what I cannot do. In that moment, I had a choice, a decision. Do I submit and obey, even when I was so far out of my comfort zone or just say no, I cannot do this. That day I looked at Kevin and said: Whatever you want me to do, whatever you need me to do, that is what I will do.
I look back at that day and now see how pivotal it has been. That day when I said yes to the Lord, He was beside me, walked with me, gave me words to say, He kept me calm as the Russians would send a missile to land behind us as we handed out food boxes. When I obeyed, stepped out in faith, my Abba Father has showed up every time! It has been a process, and I can hardly wait to see a year from now where I will be. Look up, Keep Serving Jesus, He is Worthy!