Life in Ukraine is much different then in America. The cultural norm is much more defined and consistent while in America you have a much greater variety of sub-cultures merging together. How life in Ukraine is different than life in America: A word of advice: Please do not go to Ukraine with your American expectations… Continue reading The Beautiful Culture and Life of People in Odessa Ukraine
MIA Blog
Life-Plan Assessment – 12 God-Centered Questions to Help With Your New Year’s Resolutions
As the New Year approaches and people will be making their New Year’s Resolution (once again), here are 12 questions you can work through to help you evaluate where you’re at with your personal life goals. The questions are designed to help us think things through in light of God’s ongoing narrative of our lives… Continue reading Life-Plan Assessment – 12 God-Centered Questions to Help With Your New Year’s Resolutions
Lera’s Update from Odessa, Ukraine ~ MIA Brief Oct 2016
I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG Hello dear friends, Many of you are wondering why is Jacoby’s wife emailing you? I know I usually let him take over the keyboard and write about the details of our life as missionaries, but this time I got to hold it. As many of you know Jacoby is… Continue reading Lera’s Update from Odessa, Ukraine ~ MIA Brief Oct 2016
Shortening the Learning Curve of Running a Non-Profit [MIA Brief – June 2016]
He is Jehovah Jireh! Soli Deo Gloria! Hello! We pray your day is blessed! Thank you for your interest and support in what God is doing through MIA in Ukraine! When we first stepped out in, what is to date, the biggest step of faith we have ever taken, we knew it would present many… Continue reading Shortening the Learning Curve of Running a Non-Profit [MIA Brief – June 2016]
ROAD TRIP 2016
The silhouette of a plan is emerging from the shadows of uncertainty, and that is for Lera and Rocket to be back in Odessa in late September and for me to follow behind in October, possibly November, depending on pending opportunities to share. July-September, after our lease is up, we will be staying with people,… Continue reading ROAD TRIP 2016
Heading Back to Ukraine! [MIA Brief]
Lately we have received so many encouraging words from people and prayers after releasing our ministry videos. We believe this is only the beginning of what God’s going to do in Odessa and Ukraine through this ministry. We are planning to return to Ukraine before the end of this year. This is much sooner than… Continue reading Heading Back to Ukraine! [MIA Brief]
A Few Thoughts on the Pros and Cons of Short-Term Missions
I wanted to share a brief exchange of messages I recently had with a friend: Her question: I am wondering about your opinion on short-term missions. Do you find that it is as effective for, in our case, a family of five to come and minister as opposed to sending the money that would have… Continue reading A Few Thoughts on the Pros and Cons of Short-Term Missions
MIA Brief – Evidences of Grace – Nov 2015
Without exaggeration a couple weeks ago I was within inches or seconds of four major car accidents on the freeway all within an hour and a half of each other, each of them not my fault, FYI. This said three things to me. One, that God was most definitely looking out for me in this… Continue reading MIA Brief – Evidences of Grace – Nov 2015
DOG EARS from PRAYER: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
I’m only through 25%, 2 of 5 parts, of this book but it’s one of those you don’t want to put down. Long ago I loved Richard J. Foster’s book on prayer. Later I learned some of the issues with Foster and regretfully had to stop recommending it. Then I fell in love with two… Continue reading DOG EARS from PRAYER: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
12 Things to Ask Before Supporting a Missionary
It may make you uncomfortable to treat a missionary like you are subjecting them to an interview process. However, most of them should understand and if they would like you to partner with them would encourage you to ask these questions. It communicates that you care and it will help you to understand more about what… Continue reading 12 Things to Ask Before Supporting a Missionary
How to Be an Encouragement to Missionaries
“Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,” Acts 4:36 Consider with me that Barnabas’ name was not Barnabas as most of us know him. His name was Joseph. The Apostles called him Barnabas, son of encouragement. Wouldn’t that be a great… Continue reading How to Be an Encouragement to Missionaries
Troubleshooting Accountability Groups
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ACCOUNTABILITY? One question I get asked now and then as a missionary is, “who are you accountable to?” Now, before answering the question it is important to know what they mean by that. There are different kinds of accountability. They could mean: 1) Who’s or what church’s authority are you… Continue reading Troubleshooting Accountability Groups