Missionaries need to be pioneers

 

Lugansk is a city on the very eastern edge of Ukraine on the Russian border. The forgotten land, so it appears. Russia still has it’s claws in deep and the peoples’ mindset is still spinning in the rut that communism entrenched them in. The younger generation is trying to break free, while the older generation is more than happy with the one-track mindset — the one where you don’t have to think much for yourself because society will just take care of you.

Communism placed emphasis on society and downplayed the family structure. People were numbers. Personal identity didn’t exist.  Names were more just a formality – maybe that’s why every other person you meet here has the same name?

Lugansk is thought to be the mail-order bride capital of the world. And the most corrupt city in Ukraine. The moffia rules here. It is believed that Lugansk has it’s own hard-core moffia system that can rival that of Russia.

Many people still do not trust Americans. Love, grace and forgiveness are totally
foreign concepts – just like the Americans delivering the message. Hard hearts that take years to thaw. Hearts that believe you have to earn your salvation and that you can lose it on your own accord also. Christianity is rated by what you don’t do,
rather than by what you do.

Alcoholism affects around 80% of the population. I heard a story that four 11-year-olds went into a restaurant, ordered two pitchers of beer with their pizza, and the waiter served them without batting an eye. And that’s normal. For the villagers, beer for breakfast and vodka for lunch and dinner. Drugs and tobacco to sustain you through the harsh winter.  (And food wrappers to insulate the windows!)

 

 

Bleak and grey is the forecast. Or so it appears…

Read Numbers 13 and 14. Moses sent out one leader from each tribe into Canaan to scout out the land. This is a similar role that team Pioneer (6 other racers and me) has right now. Go ahead of the troops and report back what you find.

Yes, we could take all this disheartening observation and data back to the troops and discourage them from stepping foot on this soil. We could focus on the giants and impossibilities. Or, as Caleb and Joshua challenged a few verses later, we could choose to step out in faith believing that God is with us. Proclaiming the Kingdom and claiming the Promise Land.

We, as his chosen people, are armed with his covenant authority. Yes, things may look bleak in claiming the Promise Land or reaching people in Ukraine. But, God has claimed the people as His own and is sending us there in His authority. Instead of focusing on the worldly realities that plague not only Lugansk, but Ukraine as a whole, we can focus on spiritual truth.  God is who He says He is.  He will do what He says He will do.  I am who He says I am.

And I (the church) can do the impossible through Him who gives me (us) power.

God is choosing to usher in His Kingdom through the racers.  God is establishing His church in Lugansk.  Old women will be cured of the bottle.  Old men will be healed of the cough.  Young girls will discover their self-worth and young boys will stand up for truth and justice.   Even if God is only calling a few out of their turtle shells, it’s still worth it.

I choose to be Caleb and I hope you are choosing to be Joshua. 

If we didn’t think one person was worth the hassle, then we would just be solidifying what they already believe about themselves. They are just a number and one is not worth the effort. But the one is worth the effort and we believe that God is doing mighty things throughout the land right now.