What kind of bait are we using?

Last week, my language helper, Alla, and I were slowly reading through an interesting children's story in Russian about a boy and his friends going fishing (Yes, I truly am nuts about fishing). Each day we met, Alla and I would be anxious to read a few more paragraphs in the adventure. The story was about a boy named Dima who asked his two friends to go fishing with him because he had just gotten some brand new plastic fishing lures from America. Dima was bragging to the whole village about how he was going to catch lots of fish with these lures just as the advertisements had promised. These lures were beautiful replicas of worms, flies and dragonflies made out of plastic with wings of cellophane. Dima's friends tried to tell him how real worms are better than the artificial ones, but of course, Dima couldn't be swayed.

The story describes the beautiful morning all of the boys went off to the lake to fish. Each boy chose the perfect spot and dropped their line into the water. I read with anticipation as Dima's two friend's bobbers were suddenly yanked below the water. With great excitement, the two boys began to catch fish after fish until they filled their buckets. But, as you probably guessed, Dima spent the entire day without even a single bite. He was so embarrassed and upset. He went home empty handed in the end.

One evening, as I was walking to the store, I began to think about a missionary's role here in Ukraine. I wondered if the people here see us as just some artificial bait, with our shiny American ways, trying to catch Ukrainian fish. After all, Ukrainian believers can do the job better than us because they know the language, culture and hearts of the people better than we ever could. I don't think there is any way we, as American missionaries, can ever replace what the Ukrainians themselves can do to reach their own. This is something of which I have always been convinced. So, why are we here? What is our role as missionaries in Ukraine?

There's an old fishing saying that comes to mind. “Fish or cut bait!” Our primary job in Ukraine isn't to fish, but to cut bait for those who are—to serve the people using the tools and skills God has given us. Many new and old believers in Ukraine desire more training to help them reach their own for Christ. Some also have the desire, and now the freedom, to go into other former communist countries to spread the gospel and disciple new believers there—places where other missionaries have limited or no access. However, missions for them is still quite new. They have only had the past 15 years, or so, to freely prepare workers for the harvest. Ukrainians need help training their own ministers and missionaries and in developing their own plans for reaching the lost. We want to help equip and prepare them to share Christ with their own people in their own way. We don't want to be like Dima and replace the real thing they have with something artificial from America. If we do, all we will be left with are empty buckets. We need to play the part God has given to us. We need to cut bait and let the Ukrainians fish.

Please pray for us as we stand beside our Ukrainian brothers and sisters and cut bait. Pray for God to show us each day how we can be used for His purpose, to His glory, and by His power.

Blessings,
Jody

Things to be praying about... Pray for us as we stand beside our Ukrainian brothers and sisters and cut bait. Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as we make decisions about the kids schooling next year, our language program and if we should move to another part of town. Thank God for His provision in getting Elena’s leg fix, our registration with Ukraine, and our high-speed Internet access. See how God hears your prayers in our updates!

What’s been happening?

There is no way that we would have room to share with you all the things that have happen with us in the last few months in this newsletter. So how are we going to keep everyone updated? I’m glad you asked. We are sending out regular email updates. Send us your email address and tell us you want to receive our updates and we will be sure to send them to you. STOP! DO IT NOW! Before you forget. Send an email to GetHooked@Fish4Him.net. Or if you like you can view the updates on our website at www.Fish4Him.net.

Things you missed if you aren’t getting our updates...
Part of Elena’s prosthetic breaks · Andrew and Jody find language helpers · Replacement part also broken · New Furniture · Telling time in Russian · New part arrives safe · High-Speed Internet · Ukraine Registration · Josiah’s baseball video · And more...