...but the Lord directs his steps

One of the signs of stress.

A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 (ISV).  So goes the familiar proverb.  June has been a very busy month for us.  We knew it would be busy so we prepared ourselves.  We had lists:  train and bus tickets to buy, supplies for teams, presents for graduates, arrangements for guests, arrangements to be guests, etc.  At the beginning of the month we had all our plans in place and this proverb was ever in my mind.   I expected that even though I had planned our way, the Lord would allow unexpected things to occur that would change our plans and we would have to, by faith, allow Him to direct our steps.  This is how I understood the proverb.  Surprisingly, almost all our plans have gone “according to plan.”  It has been a hard month and I have been waiting and looking for the “curve ball” but it didn’t come. 

The part of our June plan that I was most worried about was our visa situation.  We needed new visas soon.  Through May and the beginning of June we gathered the necessary documents and made “plans”.  We had never gone to Moldova to get visas before, but understood that we could get them in two days.  I talked to the embassy and they said that they work on Mondays, Wednesday s and Thursday.  If we apply for a visa on one of those days, we can get it the next working day.  OK, so here was the plan.

Weekend:  Travel to Kiev, pick up Anya from camp, leave Joseph and Micah at camp.

Monday: Julie, Alfie and Anya travel back to Odessa.
Tuesday: Leave Anya with Brittany and Julie and Alfie travel to Chisinau to apply for visas.
Wednesday:  Arrive early at embassy and apply for visas.
Thursday: Pick up visas and take bus back to Odessa.
Friday: Travel to Kiev to get Joseph and Micah from camp.

We knew that because of the status of our current visas that we may have problems at the border crossing into Moldova.  We also knew that if we had problems in Moldova, that we could not come back to Ukraine without a new visa for 90 days.  We decided to pray and take the risk.  Our attitude was something like, “Here is our plan Lord, please make it work.”  Everything went fine until Wednesday.  The border crossings were no problems.  We thanked God for giving us favor in the eyes of the border guards.  We got a room near the embassy on Tuesday evening.  We found the embassy so we could easily get there the next morning.  We had documents and copies of documents. 

Wednesday morning comes and we arrive at the embassy a half hour before it opens.  There is already a large group waiting.  We add our names to the waiting list, we are 49 and 51.  OK, a little stress.  We should have come earlier, but we have all day to apply.  I pray, “Lord please let the line go quickly and efficiently.”  I walk around to relieve the stress and notice a paper taped to the embassy door.  It is in Ukrainian so it is a little hard to read.  I read it and understand it, but spend about five minutes trying to convince myself that I don’t understand the Ukrainian and everything will be alright.  The sign says that the embassy will be closed on Thursday…that’s tomorrow!  That means that we won’t be able to pick up our visas until Monday!  OK…stress level increases and I start making plans in my head.  I can beg the embassy to issue the visa today…but…but we are number 49 and 50… “Why didn’t we come earlier?”  Stress level increases more.  I’m angry at myself for not coming earlier.  What if we don’t get in before the break at 12:30?  OK…start to pray.  “Lord, please, please, please make all these people go away!”  That was a panic prayer.  “OK Lord, sorry for panicking.  I have two prayers.  Please let us apply in time to get our visas today and help me not to stress and say anything stupid to my wife.  Help me to trust you Lord.”  I think and plan some more.  It is time to put plan B, C and D on standby and began formulating plan E.  I talk to Julie.  “So, what is the backup plan?  Who will pick up the kids if we are stuck?”  There is a plan, but I don’t want to be stuck!  “Lord, I don’t want to be stuck.”  Plan some more…John can pick up the kids and they can stay in Kiev, or maybe he can send them to Brittany or Leah on a bus, maybe Igor is in Kiev and he can drive them down to Odessa.  We will need some more money for the hotel…”Why or why didn’t I come earlier?  How did I miss that tomorrow is a holiday?  Why do these people celebrate so many holidays?!  Don’t they know that there is work to be done?!  Why are there so many stupid holidays?  They only work three days a week and they are taking one day off?  What is the matter with these people!?”  (OK, not very fair...calm down, breath…..breath again).  Stress level increases…I’m on the edge….”Lord help me not to snap and say or do anything rash.  Help me to trust you”…more thoughts running through my head, more prayers….

I look at Julie.  She looks calm.  She turns to me and says, “Do you think we will have clothes in heaven?”  In my mind my head explodes.  My vision blurs.  Time stops as I try to absorb her question and the calm look on her face while our hopes of getting a visa this week slip into the abyss.  Praise God, I hold my tongue.  However, I guess in that instant, my face communicated much to Julie.  She simply says, “Oh, you’re worried about the visa?  The Lord will work it out, but I’ll let you be.”  She is not worried!  This makes me mad and embarrassed at the same time.  “Why isn’t she worried?”  OK…pray…think….plan.  How about walk a little.  …walking… “Lord, this is not the worst thing in the world.  We have friends, we have help.  Help me to accept whatever plan you have for us.”  I walk around a little more.  It is a little after 10:00am and the guard comes out yells, “Who is here for visas?”  What!  That’s us.  I raise my hand and head for the gate.  Julie didn’t hear him.  She is calmly sitting on a bench and reading.  I call her and say her we can go in.  She looks surprised and heads over to me.  As we go in, I notice that we are going in out of order. 

When we get in, we fill out the necessary forms and stand in line.  I have all the arguments ready.  “Please sir; if you could issue the visas today we would be very grateful.  You see our daughter is in Odessa and our other kids are in Kiev.  We can’t wait until Monday.  I know you are not working tomorrow.  Perhaps we could just pick up the visa in the morning….pause…perhaps there is an extra fee to expedite visa service.  We are ready to pay extra.”  We get to the window and the man says, “You want these today…right?”  Time stops...again the vision blurs….sound stops…those words were like manna from heaven.  There is a flash of blue light and I’m back at the window.  “Uhhh….yes, yes of course that would be great.”  “No problem” he says.  “Pay for the visa at the bank and come back after three.”  “Yes, yes, thank you so much.”  We leave for the bank, but the Lord is not done with us.

As we leave the gate, a young man says, “You guys buying visas?”  “Yep”, we say as we pass him to go to the bank.  We pay for the visas and return to the embassy to drop of the receipt.  When we return we start talking to the young man.  He is an American named Ethan who is also trying to get a visa to return to Odessa.  He is an independent missionary who works mainly with orphans.  He has his documents but is number 72 on the list.  We talk.  He asks what the sign on the door means.  I tell him that the embassy is closed tomorrow and will not be open again until Monday.  I watch as he takes the news very well.  He doesn’t seem stressed.  (I’m a little embarrassed at remembering my earlier reaction.) We ask the guard if Ethan can get in to do his visa.  The guard says that he doesn’t know.  There are a lot of people applying for visas.  About 12:45 we are waiting with Ethan and a man comes out and says that is all for today, everyone else will have to come back on Monday.  Ethan is disappointed, but takes the news well…again.  A discussion at the gate starts and intensifies and the guard agrees to take 10 more people and the rest will be first on Monday.  He takes 10 more and that takes him to number 71.  Ethan is disappointed but takes the news well…again.  He has to stay until Monday.  As he is getting ready to leave and another man says, “Come on…Take the American kid.”  The guard asks, “Do you need a religious visa?”  Ethan says yes and the guard motions him in.  We ran into Ethan again later and were able to help him get some extra documents.  We all got our visas and traveled back to Odessa the next day together on the train.

The Lord not only changed our plans, He improved them.  We got our visas faster than we planned and the embassy still got their holiday.  More importantly, through the examples of my wife and this young man, the Lord showed me how little I trust Him.  My instinct is still to fix it myself.  Yes, I pray but my blood pressure still increases, my mind goes to plan B, I try to fix it myself and take over.  I don’t mean that we don’t need to plan, but what I need to do better is “rest in Him when the plan changes.”  Really, I need to rest in Him all the time.  We (I) should still plan our way, but on the road, it is always best to let Him direct our steps.  I am honestly a little embarrassed but thankful for His lesson.

Do Your Work Heartily for the Lord

Day One

Add eight Americans, four Ukrainians, one translator, numerous support people, blood, sweat, tears, seven days, a desire to serve the Lord and the Spirit of God.

Day Seven

 

Any Questions?

Construction Team Update

English Café is going well in the city of Odessa while the team continues to build at the camp.  Following are a few picture of the construction progress on Friday and Monday.



End of work day Friday

Friday



9:00am Monday morning



Lunch Monday



Monday 4:30pm.

That's a wrap!

Construction, English and Coffee

This year, June is going to be a very busy month.  Today is the 13^th and we have already seen our son graduate from Ukrainian school, said goodbye to visiting grandparents, had several picnics, participated in Odessa Seminary graduation, greeted a construction from the US and had many planning meetings concerning academic programs for the future along with our normal day to day schedule.

This graduating group from Odessa Seminary is special to us because it is the first group that Alfie has been able to teach all three years.

Alfie and Julie with Bachelor of Theology Students at Odessa Theological Seminary Graduation

Currently a construction team of seven men and one woman from EV Free Fullerton, California is at the Black Sea Camp (about 40k north of Odessa), building a family dwelling structure.  Today is only day three of construction and we have seen great progress.  There are many Ukrainian youth and adults helping.

Day one Black Sea Camp construction planning.

Day one advanced group of the English Cafe

At the same time we are hosting an “English Café”at Grace Church in Odessa. So, Julie and the girls are in Odessa for the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Café, Joseph is the translator for the team at the Black Sea Camp and Alfie is going back and forth. He is mostly at the camp but needs to come to Odessa to teach the Bible lessons at the Café.

Day one start at the Black Sea Camp



Early Day Two at Black Sea Camp

So far things are going great.  The first day of the café saw a large group of advanced English speakers.  Two days of construction at the camp saw three and a half bearing walls built and the first trusses already assembled.  We have ordered a crane for Monday. 

Alfie is in Odessa on Wednesday (day three) but the team is in good hands with Joseph as the translator.

Mid Day Two at Black Sea Camp

The Defense Rests

One of the strengths of the Bachelor of Theology program at Odessa Theological Seminary is that each student is required to write a final “Diploma Work” and defend it before a panel of faculty and peers.  The process is difficult and can be frightening.  I had the privilege this year of being the advisor to two students, Dima and Oleg.  This was a challenge to my Russian speaking ability; however we were able to communicate well in our weekly interactions.  Thankfully, they both read English well so, through the year, I was able to read their work in Russian and provide feedback in English.  About 10 days ago they both defended their work before their peers and a panel of faculty.  After working so hard together and seeing the great progress they both made over the year, it was difficult to resist the urge to defend them during the question and answer time.  However, in this case, resistance was not futile and they both produced a work to be proud of, gave excellent presentations and did an excellent job answering questions.  They needed not help from me defending their point of view.  Great job guys, I was a privilege working through these texts together.  You have earned a good rest.



Below are excerpts of my comments from my recommendation of their work.

Dima Trei studied John 6.  He wanted to know specifically what Jesus meant by “Eating My flesh and drinking my blood.”  More specifically, is it connected with communion and if not, what does He mean.



Comments:





Dima

After the analysis Dima presents his arguments in three parts.  First he presents the position that the passage is a reference to the Eucharist.  He gives a summary of the position then uses the position of orthodox theologian Георгий Чистяков as a test case.  Dima presents three arguments from Чистяков for the position that Jesus is making a reference to the Eucharist.  In the next section, Dima counters each argument and then presents at least four more of his own that explain why he rejects the connection with the Eucharist.  This is one of the strongest sections of the paper.  Dima makes good use of his historical and lexical analysis to build solid arguments that come from the text itself.  He makes an especially good argument against the nuanced use of the words εσθιω and τρωγω.  He shows how John clearly used them as synonyms in John 13:18.  This verse is a quote from the LXX text of Psalm 40:10.  In LXX the word εσθιω is used.  However, when John quotes it he uses the word τρωγω in the place of εσθιω.  This is a very strong argument that John did not use the words according to their nuanced meaning but as synonyms.





...After rejecting the Eucharist position, Dima present his own point of view in his Theological Interaction.  Here he combines what he has learned from especially his historical, lexical, rhetorical analysis to come to the conclusion that to eat the body of Jesus and to drink the blood of Jesus is to believe in Him for spiritual life in the same way you believe in real bread for physical life.  He uses the inlcusio to divide the passage into three parts.  The first is the exchange between Jesus and the Jews.  In this section, terms are being defined.  The Jews are talking on an economical level and Jesus on a spiritual.  Next is the first inclusio (6:35-48).  Dima calls this the key to understanding the third metaphorical section.  In summary, in this section Jesus connects the idea of coming to Him in belief with hunger and thirst.  There are more nuances, but Dima uses Jesus’ own words to explain the more difficult third section.  The third section is the next inclusio (6:49-59).  This is where Jesus explains similar ides using metaphorical language.  Dima connects the three sections to arrive at his conclusions and adds more nuances about being one with Jesus and reasons why He used such shocking language. 



Oleg Yakavenko

 





Oleg studied Paul’s view of the atonement.  He presented a range of ways Paul explained and expressed Jesus’ work on the cross and then focused specifically on the term ιλαστεριον (hilasterion) in Romans 3:25.

 

Oleg

…Next Oleg presents a solid grammatical analysis.  This is the strongest section in the work.  Oleg deals especially well with the problematic phrase δια πιστεως Ιησου Χριστου.  He gives a clear presentation of the grammatical nuances and how they influence the translation and meaning... In the rest of his analysis he brings out the nuances of various grammatical structures.

The lexical analysis of ιλαστεριον is well done.  Oleg follows a modified methodology from Gordon Fee’s book.  Along with other lexical works, he makes good use of BAGD and Louw and Nide’s Semantic Domains.  He presents the time period where the word appears regularly.  He shows its use in non-biblical material, then moves on to the LXX and the New Testament.  He ends with a range of meaning that includes 13 distinct uses.  In his analysis of the data he compares the reasoning mostly of Leon Morris, James Dodd and D.A. Carson.  In the end Oleg comes to the conclusion that “propitiation” is the correct translation.  He gives several reasons for this decision.  This is a solid lexical analysis, but what is missing is this.  It could not see his though process that shows how he eliminated the other 12 options.  I think that would have added a lot of richness to the analysis.  Oleg explains the thought process of Morris, Dodd and Carson but not his own.

…Next Oleg gives his personal translation, a theological interaction and some personal application and reflection.  This is well developed and I especially enjoyed his personal reflection.  I think these reflections would be especially effective in the sermon or Bible study.  He shows how solid scholarship can have a profound effect on the spiritual life of a person.  Well done!

Solo Dei Gloria!

Grammatical Musings about the Resurrection

One of the things I like about living in Ukraine is the way the religious culture influences society.  As missionaries, we often speak of the evils of a religious culture.  It is steeped in ritual and not faith.  Some of the practices are a mix of biblical, traditional and pagan influence.  People are deceived into thinking that if they just do the right things, say the right words; they will be accepted into heaven.  These are all true things and we need to keep them in mind in every culture.  However, there are some benefits to living in a religious culture.  One benefit is that most people are theists.  Another benefit is that most respect the Bible.  Another benefit is Easter.  In Ukraine and Russia there is a tradition of congratulating each other on holidays and birthdays.  “I congratulate you on Christmas, your birthday, the first fall of snow, the first day of spring, etc.”  Some holidays, like Easter, have a special congratulation.  On Easter, everyone says, “Christ is risen” and the other answers, “He is risen, indeed!”  In Russian we say, “Христос Воскрес!” – “Christ is Risen” and the answer is, “Воистину Воскрес!”  - “He is Risen Indeed!”   We can say, “Christ is Risen” to any person on the street and they answer, “He is risen indeed!”  Now I understand that many don’t believe what they are saying or it is just a ritualistic practice.  But, as a believer, to hear the resurrection proclaimed everywhere and all day has a renewing effect.

This time of year people also often ask me how to say this in Greek, because if you say in Greek, you get a special blessing (OK, no more sarcasm).  This is a simple question, but I can usually find a way to complicate the answer to a simple question and this is no exception.   In the Greek Orthodox tradition the phrase is, “Χριστος Ανεστη!  (Christos Anestay) And the answer is Αληθως Ανεστη! (Alethos Anestay!)”.  In the original Greek, that means, “Christ is Risen!  He is Risen Indeed!”  The verb in this phrase is in what is called the aorist tense and indicative mood.  Pretty boring concept but bare with me, I have a point.  The typical purpose of an aorist is to describe an action without comment on type of action.  From the context an aorist verb can have different kinds of action but the tense itself is neutral.  The aorist indicative typically shows real action in the past and it is the typical way of describing the past.  So, from the grammar, Χριστος Ανεστη!  Αληθως Ανεστη! simply means that Jesus rose.  In the New Testament, this verb same verb is sometimes used to describe the resurrection and sometimes a different verb is used.  So, it is a legitimate way to say, “Christ is Risen!” 

However, the most common verb used after the resurrection, to describe the resurrection is εγειρω.  It has a different semantic domain than ανισταμι, but there is much overlap in meaning.  In other words, they can be used a synonyms.  This second verb is a favorite of Paul’s when writing about the resurrection.  What I find particularly interesting is the way Paul expresses the resurrection to the Corinthian church.  By the way, these thoughts are not unique to me.  I have heard them taught in Greek classes and commentaries, so I take no credit for the observation.  I only take credit for finding it interesting and encouraging.  Paul says to the Corinthian church that this is “of first importance” and then describes the Gospel.  Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (I Cor. 15:3-6).  The grammar here communicates at least as much as the words.  There are three verbs.  “Christ died.”  This is an aorist indicative verb.  No comment on type of action, just the typical way of expressing past tense.  “He was buried.”  Again, this is an aorist indicative – typical way of showing past time.  Then Paul changes tense.  He writes Χριστος εγηγερται (Chirstos egegertai).  This verb is a perfect indicative.  The perfect is flexible in use, but typically it is used to show a past action with lasting results.  This is especially true when it is used, as is the case here, in contrast to present or aorist verbs.  The idea is something like this:

·         Christ died for our sins.  Past event.

·         He was buried.  Past event

·         He has Risen! Past event with lasting results.  He is risen and remains alive today!

The first readers of this phrase were probably mostly first listeners as someone read to them, would have understood this powerful nuance implicitly.  The idea that the risen Christ remains risen powerfully jumps out from the grammar.  So, I like Paul’s version the best.  But that still leaves me with a bit of a dilemma.  When people ask, “How do you say that in Greek?”  I cannot give just a simple answer.  So I say something like this.  “Well, there are a number of ways.  The most popular is the traditional Greek Orthodox phrase "Χριστος Ανεστη!  And the answer is Αληθως Ανεστη!".  But those verbs are aorist tense and while being technically correct, there is a much more expressive way to say it.  Paul is much more expressive when he writes, Χριστος Ηγηγερται!  Αληθως Ηγηγερται!”  That is my usual intended or attempted answer, but in reality I have never gotten much past the word “but”.  However, you cannot cut off a blog, so there it is.  Χριστος Ανεστη!  Αληθως Ανεστη! Or Χριστος Ηγηγερται!  Αληθως Ηγηγερται!

Either way, He is Risen! – Remains Risen! And will always be Risen! Amen!

Trusting God in Hard Moments

An article submission by Micah Mosse for ClubHouse Magazine.

Micah (in middle) with her brother (Joseph) and
sister (Anya) on the first day of School.

I'm an MK (missionary kid) from Ukraine, Europe.  I was almost four when my family moved here. My brother was six, and he was home schooled until 3rd grade when he went to a Ukrainian school.  I eventually started to go to a Ukrainian school, too, but I got a class with a teacher who had a loud voice. She used her loud voice often.  I "put up with" that school for two years, and then was home schooled for 3rd and 4th grade. After that my parents began to consider putting me back into public Ukrainian school. Because of the bad experience at the last school, I wholeheartedly disagreed. It was toward the end of August that I started to agree.  It was a day I was feeling particularly left out of the decision.  I think God spoke to me, and told me that this new school is what He wanted for me.

 

I’ll probably appreciate the decision when I’m 20, but, I have to admit it, right now, I’m having a difficult time. It has been a hard almost two years, but I learned some important lessons and have been strengthened by my faith in God.  I have nice friends, and some teachers are good and some not so good.  I am almost done with 6th grade, and my parents are thinking about sending me to a school designed for MK's! I don't know what our decision is going to be yet, but I'll leave it in God's hand.  Things seem to work out better when I do that!

Micah M.

12 years old