When does one decide to leave the life he lives and venture out into a
completely new and unknown one? Well, for me, that decision has come at
the age of 29, after three years of working through my thoughts and
emotions regarding this. Come January, I will head to Libby, Montana
for four months of missions training school. And then, Lord willing, in
June I'll be heading back to Odessa, Ukraine for an 18 month internship
with the missions group, International Messengers.
It's hard to
explain everything that has gone into this decision, particularly if
you haven't been a close part of my life over the last few years.
Without making this be an extremely "religious" note to all, let me
just say that I've slowly come to figure out the things that are
priorities for me. It has taken me a while to learn that I don't have
to be the same person my entire life, I don't need to get hung up on
what people think of me and most importantly, I am not strong enough to
make it through life on my own and am not happy when trying to do so.
Why Ukraine? Well, for a while, I thought I would end up in Russia. But
the problem was that I really didn't love Russia. I spent three summers
there, but couldn't imagine myself living there. But Ukraine? Ukraine I
love. The friendly people, the stunning natural beauty, the old cities,
many friends and now family (my brother and his wife moved to Eastern
Ukraine in May). And yes, the language. I started studying Russian
about three years ago and though I'm nowhere near fluent, I can survive
and travel on my own. =-)
I just returned from ten weeks in Ukraine, traveling all over the
country; exploring and visiting friends and family. I also spent
several weeks in Odessa, Ukraine, doing English camps with the team
that I'll be interning with.The team that I'll be with is composed of
Americans, S. Africans and Ukrainians. Their primary ministry is in the
local universities. They have English clubs, bible studies, English
tutoring, four camps throughout the year and also help in an orphanage
in the Transnestrea region of Moldava. I'm really excited and wanted to
share the news with you, so that you didn't find out from someone else
that I no longer live in this country. =-) I'd love to hear from any
and all of you and would love to see you before I leave at the end of
January. Anna
'I heard Him call, "Come follow."
That was all.
My gold grew dim, my soul
went after Him.
Who would not follow
If they heard Him call?'
Comments (2)
Anna -- I am so excited for you! What an amazing experience you are going to have! I guarantee you will never be the same, again. You are always in my prayers and thoughts. I wish you all the best. :) Please keep in touch!!!
Hayden Oliver
PS -- my first son is due to arrive around the new year... wish me luck! LOL! Oh yeah, we are taking name suggestions, if you have anything you'd like to put in the hat. ;)
Tapley has already started planning when we will visit you in the Ukraine. Please just don't get taken over by Russia before then, ok?
You will be missed, but we will rest assured that you are doing what you and God know to be best for you.