//My faith stories at Poland// Mar-Jun 2022

“You have faith stories, too. No matter how small, remember them, recite them, count them, and celebrate them. They build your faith for what is coming next in your life.”
― Reinh
The highlight of my trip to Poland would entail how God guided my every step. He is always on time and He hears every need.

1. Brought an air ticket to Poland not knowing where the YWAM organization is. A Ukrainian Family received me at the airport and connected me to the YWAM team which he happened to be liaising with!

   

   (The Ukranian family that received me at the airport)

   

   (2 Ukranians approached me at the park where i was worshipping alone)

    
   
   
2. Upon my first day of arrival at the YWAM base, a brand new luggage randomly appeared when the team was praying for it the day before. Many other ministry needs were also provided for upon prayers!






3.  Past few months I've seen people putting their hope in Jesus, and having their hunger satisfied in Christ. 

   

   (Hundreds of Ukranian soldiers saved)
   
   

   
   

   

    (Worshipping at the borders)   

   

      People got healed as we pray
   

                                      

   

   Gifting the national flower (sunflower); symbol of resistance, unity and hope

   
   
4.  I’ve seen children praying and found a new hope and dream with Jesus in the midst of war.
   
5.   I`ve witnessed God leading the right people to us. Prayed and was led to an english speaking refugee, Kayu, for us to minister to. Shared God`s goodness with him and he received Christ. The team passed him a Ukrainian bible that we came across randomly at the train station that very same morning. He then served with us the following day (Good Friday) as a translator. Upon sharing the message of Easter at the train station, 5 people said yes to Jesus!
   
   

(At Przemysl train station~ Kayu our translator- bottom left)

The tesimonies go on and on.

Being near the frontline of the battlefield made me relooked into what is success in life, and how contentment and joy in Christ could look like. I’ve seriously contemplated how far am I willing to go for the gospel, and if the ends of myself would mean my whole life. The process of writing a Will was symbolic to me of a life marked by Christ. 

Refugees crossing the borders by vehicle. The team offered food, drinks, prayers, gospel tracts and God’s presence. 

As I see refugees crossing the borders in branded cars, it hit me that the war affects both the rich and the poor. We could easily lose everything in a day.

Death so familiar, pain and suffering so common. What are we living our lives for? Should we invest in building our own kingdom that can be here today and gone tomorrow? Or to build a legacy that would last forever?

// My struggles & learnings //

There were multiple moments I felt defeated and was emotionally down during ministry. A debriefing with Beverlyn, my Christian counselor in Spain, has been helpful to bring clarity with God as I rest.

My thoughts during ministry often wandered off to how limited I felt, for the needs are tremendous. I was overwhelmed with the situation of human trafficking, the trauma of the rape survivors, what’s next for the refugees, if there would be follow-up for those we spoke to, the list goes on and on with many concerns left unaddressed. My work felt like a drop in the ocean and I wondered if sharing my testimony and providing relief is enough to make their lives better. 

I struggled thinking I can never do enough to truly satisfy myself and others. The very sight of pain and suffering that should move me was so overwhelming that sometimes it paralyses me.

If I'm not watchful, the overwhelming injustice can make me feel immobilized. And surely for Christians looking at our incredibly evil world of injustice and oppression, despair can always be found lurking at the door of our hearts, waiting to hobble us the moment we begin to take our first steps forward.

I longed to see transformation beyond just polite nods and ‘thank you’. Yet I've learned to move in sensitivity as I consider the emotional state of the people. Where are they now? What do the people need?

Exhaustion or productivity does not equate to our value in Christ. It isn't true that the busier we are, or the more gaps or needs we fill up, the more faithful we must be. You are pursuing the calling of obedience and intimacy with God in what you do.

There isn't a success indicator in preaching the gospel. It is definitely not by the number of hands raised, as not everyone is called to harvest but some is meant to sow and water. What has He called us to do? Our responsibilty isn’t the masses but often the individual. We could love one at a time; even if that would mean a drop in an ocean; He would go for the 1 lost sheep and leave the 99.

When we allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, surrounding too many demands, committing to too many projects and want to help everyone in everything. It kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.

Lord, I am overwhemed by the needs of the world around me. Thank you that you are responsbie for them and not me. Help me to see the individual, and to love, as love is the fufillment of the law (Romans 13:8-13). Help me to reorientate my life around you, and you alone.
 
In missions, we meet with rushes, defeats, and disappointments, and how deeply fallen the world truly is. Yet we will not be crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; stuck down but not destroyed.
And if we struggle, it means that there is something of worth and value that is worth fighting for.

 
Having to lead international teams with cultural clashes in a crisis situation was extremely stressful. Helping them to adjust as I'm adjusting myself stretches me the most. Many times I didnt felt like I’m enough to lead, but God topped up my “enough” tank. I am learning to allow Him to lead and for me to be rested in Him.

He does not require perfection from us. Rather, He uses our imperfect service for His glory and kingdom.

We will see the God of justice being faithful. We will see him “rescues the poor from whose too strong for them” (Psalm 35:10). We will see that He secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. If we simply and courageously make ourselves available to him, He will release the oppressed and we would have the extraordinary joy of watching him do it through us. 

Holy spirit will move, people will encounter Jesus. Have faith!