Everything from A to Z

Each year, missionaries with the IMB have meetings called AGM (annual general meeting). Some years AGM has a thousand missionaries gathered in one place while other years AGM only has 75-100. The Orthodox Cluster, which is what the Eastern European countries can be referred to, had their AGM in Kyiv, Ukraine. A Christian camp just outside of the city housed all these missionaries, their kids, and a volunteer team from Arkansas. The days are filled with worship services, breakout sessions, and some other general meetings. The volunteer team from Arkansas led a VBS type camp for all of the kids, provided nursery, and held Bible studies for the youth. At night, the missionaries and their families participate in a game night, a talent show, Lottie Moon auction, and some free time! The picture above is of a world replica found in the Dream Town mall in Kyiv! It was pretty amazing!

My job for the week was to work with a fellow summer missionary, Stephanie Cowart! She is from Memphis, Tennessee, and she was absolutely amazing! We had the very difficult job of running the concession stand for all the missionaries! Stephanie was a very good salesman, and by the end of the week, she had taught me a few pointers also. We ended up selling out of everything, and we were paid off to get rid of the pistachios. We were pretty relentless! We were also able to help the volunteer team in the nursery. We got to play with some precious kids and just be silly with them. I made crowns out of weeds for the little girls, and we slid down this amazingly odd ramp that made a perfect slide for the kids. We had so much fun just helping out with AGM and providing help wherever it was needed! Overall, I had an amazing week. I got to meet so many missionaries from Romania, Armenia, Georgia, and all over Ukraine. I had the opportunity to talk to almost all of them personally about where they serve and the different ministries they have started in their cities/countries. I felt like I was getting the inside scoop of missionary life! This is definitely a place I want to be one day ... on the mission field! This experience definitely served to affirm my calling to missions ... some how, some way, some day!

This picture was taken in the middle of Kyiv on our last day before we caught our train back to Kharkov. I just thought it was a beautiful picture, and I couldn't pass up the Kodak moment!

This is just a picture of me standing in front of this gorgeous monument and scenery.

This past week I went to the WWII museum just outside of Kharkov. It was so interesting to see how Ukraine was affected during this war, and I loved seeing a part of Kharkov's history. This is just a monument just outside the museum.

This church just sits to the right of the museum, and I thought it was absolutely beautiful!

This is a picture of traditional Ukrainian dress back in the day! I actually bought a shirt similar to this to wear when I share about my summer and experiences.


My translator, Masha, and I in front of the WWII monument.

On Friday of last week, Wendy and I went to the graduation of one of our friends. Joy comes to our Bible study on Tuesdays night, and she has become a very good friend of mine. She is from Uganda, and unfortunately, she will be returning home very soon! She graduated with a bachelor's degree in interior design! I was so excited that we got to go to Joy's graduation, but I must admit that I experienced a very short moment of culture shock. This was the most unusual graduation I have ever been to in my entire life. the professors/administrators of the school all sat across the front of the stage, and they each took their turn to come up to the microphone and speak about the same thing(remember, in Russian).

This is a picture of Joy, Wendy, and me at the graduation. Flowers are a necessity when going to a graduation, and a good thing to know is that you can only by an odd number of flowers unless you are buying flowers for somebody who is dead! :) The graduation basically consisted of one man calling out the names of the students, and they one by one came up to the stage to accept their diploma. It was MASS CHAOS! It kind of made me anxious just watching the scene take place. Some guys were in T-shirts and jeans, and it really looked like the Ukrainians all showed up that morning like any other morning except they decided they wanted to graduate that day! This was a once in lifetime experience ... at least until next Monday when I get to attend another graduation. There will definitely be pictures to come!

This is our first day of ESL class for Chinese students! In case you don't know, I LOVE CHINA, and I love Chinese people and food! I am having so much fun getting to know these students, and today we ended up have SIX students which is double the number we had the first day of class! SLAVABOHU! I am so thankful that God is continuing to use here in Kharkov. I never expected for God to bring me all the way to Ukraine to minister to and witness to the Chinese and Africans! What a blessing! My heart has been so blessed, and I don't think I have ever been happier than I am now ... Living in Ukraine, teaching the Chinese, and hanging out with some AMAZING African girls!

This is more than I could have ever imagined! Eph. 3:20

Until the whole world hears,
Jenna

Keep You Safe

Quiet your heart
It’s just a dream
Go back to sleep
I’ll be right here
I’ll stay awake as long as you need me
To slay all the dragons

And keep out the monsters
I’m watching over you

My love is a light
Driving away all of your fear
So don’t be afraid
Remember I made a promise to keep you safe

You’ll have your own battles to fight
When you are older
You’ll find yourself frozen inside
But always remember

If you feel alone
Facing the giants
And you don’t know
What to do

My love is a light
Driving away all of your fear
So don’t be afraid
Remember I made a promise to keep you safe

I remember when I was a little girl that I was so afraid of everything. I was afraid of the dark, thunderstorms, ghosts, monsters, my aunt's dogs, frogs, snakes, chucky, jason, and just about anything else you can think of.

There are still days when I am so very afraid of the things life throws at me, but this song reminds me of the promise God has made to keep me safe. I have this assurance. I know that my Heavenly Father will drive away my fears, slay my dragons, and keep out the monsters. I know He is always with me.

Not only do I have a heavenly Father who promises to watch over me and keep me safe, but I also have two AMAZING parents who have always reminded me that I have nothing to fear with our God at my side. I have been so blessed.

Today ... I went to a type of orphanage except this particular kind only keeps the children for a few weeks in order for them to have rest and recover from a multitude of possible situations. Your imagination probably cannot do it justice.

God had a special plan for my trip to this internat. The original plan had been to play with kids in the age range of about 6-18 (close to that). Unfortunately for Plan A, all of these older kids were taken out on excursions for the day. I thought we would have to call it a day before it had even begun, yet God had bigger plans.

I got to spend two hours loving on some very young and hurting children of God. There were about 15 little boys and girls who have had monsters and dragons at every turn.

I wish I could sing this song to them when they woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare only to realize that they are still alone without parents to care or love them. I wish I could be the one to slay their dragons and keep out their monsters. I wish there weren't evil in the world, but there is.

I spent two short hours loving on these precious children who God created with special care. I didn't get any pictures, but I will never forget the hurting and crying faces that are forever imprinted in my memory. One particular little girl, Nastia, kept her arms tight around my neck the entire time. She continually kissed me and hugged me tighter. As I held this fragile little girl, my heart shattered into a million pieces. I looked into the eyes of each child and willed each of them to understand the love found in Jesus Christ. I can only imagine the pain and suffering they have experienced in their short lives.

Whether they had Downs syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or some other mental disability, they are still precious in God's sight. My heart is burdened for the lost, hurting, abandoned, and abused. If only I could sing this song over each of their hearts.

My dear Heavenly Father, please wrap your arms around these children. Hold them close when there is no one else in the world there for them. Slava Bog that there are no orphans of God.

Until the whole world hears,
Jenna

Kharkov Zoo Experience

Today I went on another adventure into the culture of this amazing and intriguing country. The zoo is a very special place where you have to ignore the American inside of you screaming "ANIMAL CRUELTY!" I attempted to keep a smile on my face, but my translator and I were deeply concerned for the welfare of these poor animals. One particular goat which I didn't even have the heart to take a picture of because I felt it would just demoralize the poor thing. I am not sure what was wrong with the goat, but its hind legs were suspended in the air for some unknown reason. The goat was literally walking on its front two legs. For one whole minute, I truly thought the goat's legs had something suspending them in the air until I decided to study this animal further. I watched as the goat moved to a log, so it could rest its hind legs on the somewhat tall log. I now regret not taking a picture, but at the time, I just couldn't embarrass the poor thing any more!

Two things I wanted to point out ...

First of all, I had heard stories of the hippo from the missionaries I am staying with. I knew I wanted to find the hippo, so I could take a picture and at least say I saw it. As you will notice from the four pictures I took of the hippo, he was not very photogenic. I pleaded with him (in English, of course) to raise his head, so I could get a good picture. I think he was fond of my voice, so thankfully , he raised his head just high enough so you could tell what he is. I told him I did not pay good money to have him hide from the camera. Getting a picture of the hippo was a success!

Second of all, I felt so very sorry for the pitiful polar bear. I don't even know if he can be called a polar bear any more due to the condition in which he lives ... no ice, no cold, no nothing! I felt so bad for him. He looked so lonely and HOTT!

When I get back to America, I would like to visit an American zoo just to make myself feel better about the fact we imprison poor, helpless animals for our entertainment.

If I knew Russian, I think I would start a zoo ministry .... :)

Until the whole world hears,
Jenna

P.S. OH and BROOKE, The peacock picture is for you and all of my amazing sisters at the W who know about our fondness of peacocks! I thought this peacock represented us well, Best Friend! He was too shy to show me his feathers ... :)

P.S.S I will be out of town this next week starting tomorrow, so I will not be able to update again for at least a week! Thank you to everybody who is lifting me up in prayer! We hope to get my children's ministry up and going once we get back, so please pray that everything works out in a way that brings the most glory to God!

Out and About

The Botanical Gardens and Super Dino Exhibit

Masha, my translator, took me to the Botanical Gardens. Although there were a few pretty flowers, it took us about 45 minutes to actually find the few flowers that were picture-worthy. We took in the scenery, but unfortunately, this is not the right time for botanical gardens!

A few days later, Wendy, Ryan, and I visited the Super Dino exhibit on the square by the Lenin statue. There was also a small carnival set up in front of the exhibit which made Ryan's day. I took a few pictures of him on some of the attractions, but I would not allow him to be blown up in one of the life-size beach balls for fear of him suffocating. Clearly it was safe considering all of the kids lining up for it, but just watching this child being blown up into the gigantic beach ball made me cringe.

The line to the Super Dino exhibit is forever long every day and every hour. I don't know where these people come from, but this place is always packed. We finally found some free time to wait in the horrendously long line, and to our surprise, we only ended up waiting for about 45 minutes. The exhibit was pretty amazing except for the odd creatures that Wendy and I had never seen before. We acknowledged that we are not dinosaur experts, but we also have never seen an elephant-dinosaur with enormous beaver teeth either. Sorry, I didn't feel the need to take a picture of that one. It actually kind of scared me. You will also notice a MASSIVE bear looking creature in the back the t-rex's picture. That one also creeped me out!

Just wanted to share some of my outings around the city!
Enjoy, and as always, until the whole world hears,
Jenna

Our God is Greater and Stronger

Our God is Greater
Our God is Stronger
God, you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer
Awesome and power
Our God, Our God

And if our God is for us,
then who could ever stop us
And if our God is with us,
then what could stand against

God blessed me with a passion for singing, music, and songs. I don't know why, but I truly feel more connected to God when I am worshiping Him through song. The lyrics of songs or hymns always say things in a way that I can't. I have never been very good with words, and I don't have to come up with the words when it comes to lifting my voice to my Savior. This song was like a balm to my broken heart. I have been so busy asking God to give me new mission opportunities that I completely missed out on asking that God reopen the doors to my previous mission opportunities with children. I am praying that God would use me in ANYWAY He chooses.

Let me clarify ... I have known my mission and purpose for coming to Ukraine this summer for over a year now. I knew I wanted to work with children, and thankfully, God put everything into place. I wasn't one of those summer missionaries who had no idea what God was going to use them for this summer. The plans have been set for so long that I could tell people my mission in my sleep. Little did I know, that God was laughing at me! He knew from day one what the plan was/is for my summer, so that leaves me here ... kind of confused to say the least ... but I trust in a God who moves mountains and brought salvation to the world.

I will prayer walk until my legs fall off if that is what will bring the most glory to my God this summer!

The words to that song "Our God" by Chris Tomlin keep running through my mind! I just want to sing these lyrics at the top of my lungs. I want to climb the highest rooftop here in Kharkov, Ukraine, and cry out that OUR GOD IS GREATER AND STRONGER! OUR GOD IS HIGHER THAN ANY OTHER! IF OUR GOD IS FOR US, THEN WHO COULD EVER STOP US! IF OUR GOD IS WITH US, THEN WHAT COULD STAND AGAINST!

I will proclaim this to the people of Kharkov, Ukraine!

Until the whole world hears,
Jenna

God of This City

You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation

You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this City

My heart is breaking for these people! Things have gotten more complicated, and the pastor and missionary need me to lay low for a few days in order for everything to cool down and hopefully blow over. In my free time today, Wendy and I were cooking dinner in the kitchen, and this song was playing on the CD player. It doesn't matter how many times I hear this song, it brings tears to my eyes same as these people who need the Lord. I can't help but think of this country, this city of Kharkov as I live and serve here. He IS the God of Kharkov, He IS the God of Ukraine, He IS the God of the Ukrainian people, and there are greater things still to be done here!

Please pray that everything will work out, and I will be able to start my childrens' ministry on Friday. Satan is working hard to discourage me and keep me from doing God's work, but he will NOT win and will NOT have a foothold in this city! I have been and will continue to pray that Satan has no power over the officials and government. There is a special place in my heart for these people, and I will not go down without a fight! Satan doesn't know what he is in for! I will fight him every step of the way! I WILL proclaim the love of God to the children of Kharkov, Ukraine!

Until the whole world hears,
Jenna

My Heart's Cry

My heart is a bit broken for the village of Camanyayaruga after the day I have had. The day started out great, and I was on my way to my first day of childrens' ministry in Ukraine. When we arrived in the village, we were immediately stopped by the officials asking for our documents. After showing our documents, we thought we were safe to start our childrens' program. Only two games later, some teachers walked by our small group of kids playing duck, duck, goose, and as far as I could tell (since she was speaking in Russian), the kids respected her but were slightly scared of her. Before I knew it, all the kids were quickly scattering in different directions. My translator, Masha, then informed me that this lady was very upset with us and did not think we had proper permission to be even talking to the kids even though we were doing nothing wrong on public property. More teachers and even the principal soon approached us with equally angry reprimands. They told us about 5 or 6 people who had to give us permission to do anything with the kids although the police had already cleared us. After losing all the children, our hands were tied. We had no other choice but to just leave.

This is the same village that the Mississippi team provided a medical clinic for just last week. The doctor in this village is a believer, and he is persecuted for his beliefs on a regular basis. The village is having a hard time letting go of the past and moving forward. Before we could leave, a mother of one of the children came to us and was very ugly to Keith(the missionary) and the rest of our group. She was spouting off lies that were absolutely ridiculous. The entire experience was frustrating for the sole reason that I couldn't understand what anybody was saying. In order to deal with the situation at hand, everybody was speaking in Russian leaving me completely oblivious to what was going on.

Not once was I threatened in any way or felt that I was not protected by God, but I couldn't help but ache for these people. They basically kicked us out of the village, and we will not be able to even go back. The hardest part is knowing that I won't be able to share the love of God with those precious children. These kids were so excited to play with us and find out what we were all about. I didn't even get the opportunity to share the Bible story or craft with them. Satan may have won the battle today, but God won the war a long time ago!

My prayer for this village is that God will move in their hearts and soften them to the next group that attempts to witness to these people. I will pray that God will open doors and not allow any officials, parents, or schools to be able to say the word no. I will pray that despite the closed doors we experienced today, that God will move in mighty ways in the future! I may not get to minister to these kids this summer, but I will continue to pray that God will move mountains!

Every day I am reminded that NOTHING is impossible with our God! Slavabohu!

Until the whole world hears,
Jenna

"I am God, your personal God, the Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you ... That's how much you mean to Me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you."
Isaiah 43:3-4 THE MESSAGE