I feel excited. This week Gary and I embark on at 19-day journey. We will travel over 12,000 miles (19,000 km) by air, train, bus, and car, through five countries, with focused ministry in Czech Republic and Ukraine.
I wonder if this matches how the apostle Paul felt before he set out on a missionary journey? How did he feel when others invited him to visit? What stirred within Paul as he sought the Lord regarding the ministry he would undertake and the people he would meet on travels? .
The development of this trip began after Gary and I visited Ukraine last summer. Upon returning home, Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary (UBTS), in Lviv, asked me to teach a class for their Graduate students this March.
Invitation – to make a polite, formal, or friendly request to someone to go somewhere or to do something. A written or verbal request inviting someone to go somewhere or to do something.
I noted both anticipation and fear within my soul at the invitation. Although I tried to convince Slavik, the Head of the Christian Counseling Department, that I was not the professor they wanted, he pressed in, expressing interest in soul care and the impact of such training upon those preparing for ministry in Ukraine.
I feel God’s pleasure when I offer soul care and I enjoy teaching very much. It seemed a perfect blend. But, I pondered with the Lord, “Was He inviting me to serve in Ukraine?” The responsibility of this commitment appeared weighty and the travel extensive. After a period of discernment with God and conversations with family and friends, I accepted the invitation from both God and UBTS.
What invitation are you considering from God? To whom is God drawing you to serve?
Have you ever tried to talk someone out of inviting your help? 🤪
Because of Gary’s work in Eastern Europe, the trip unfolded to include work on behalf of Global Trust Partners (GTP) and UBTS. We will travel from USA to Germany to Czech Republic, then Slovakia, and Ukraine, spurring on God’s workers in these areas. Gary will travel throughout Ukraine to share GTP resources with receptive people to help them bring structure and sustainability to ministry in their broken world and encourage those weary from war. I will join Gary and offer soul care before and after my week of teaching at UBTS in Lviv.
I look forward to inviting my students to consider their own faith formation and learn ways to invite others into spiritual transformation. God led me in the development of a course titled The Care of Souls. I sifted through notes from my own training, research, and experience over the years to narrow the scope of instruction. The course description states: This class explores the ways God’s workers can tend to their own soul care, and care for the souls of others. Students learn in theory and practice the principles and practices of soul care, examples of soul care from the Bible, the ways of spiritual growth and formation, and practical ways of encountering God and receiving from Him. I will teach 15 Ukrainian students with a translator from 9am-6pm on March 25-29. If you’d like to see the syllabus, just email me.
In what ways do you tend to your own soul care? Who might God invite you to care for?
God continues to invite me to rest in Him and trust His plan. I find myself connecting with others God summoned into service like Isaiah, Abraham, Moses, Paul, and the disciples. Like them, I feel unworthy of such a privilege. Nevertheless, I go confident in the companionship of my Savior and wisdom of my Lord. May He be honored and glorified.
In what ways might God invite you to journey with me?
– Pray – If you notice God inviting you to pray for me, Gary, and all those we will meet along the way, please pray. Print out a map (email me for a map) and follow us day by day. If you’d like the prayer schedule Gary created, just email me.
– Participate – If you notice God inviting you to share His generosity with Ukraine, please give. The needs are great. Click here.
– Praise – If you notice God inviting you to thank Him for sending us, please speak praise and thanksgiving to God. He is faithful.
Many invitations await each of us. Pay attention to the stirrings of your heart and the needs of those near and far. Listen for the whispers of God drawing you into service.
Follow Soulcare Anchoress on instagram: soul_careanchoress
Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
Isaiah 6:8 – Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Acts 13:13-15 – From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
David G. Benner. The Gift of Being Yourself. Downers Grove, IL. 2015.
Matt Crus. God’s Invitation to You: From Passive Christian to Active Christian. 2021.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Elevation Worship. Same God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LawxIZE9ePE
Anne Wilson. Strong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFk2iYq4Zjk
Puddles for Prayer: Thank you for praying for upcoming travel and speaking engagements.
March 18-April 5 – Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine – If you’d like the prayer schedule, please email me.
March 25-20 – Lviv, Ukraine – teaching The Care of Souls at UBTS – If you’d like to see the syllabus, please email me.
April 12 – Breathe Retreat – Littleton, CO