In 10 days time, God permitting ...15 of us will travel to Kremenets. One of our primary tasks is to fix a leaky roof. Does that seem excessive to you? Maybe it would help if you understood something of the background. Last time we were there as a team, we had a small part in completing a building which we call "transition house for girls". Friends 16-19 who had experienced a bumpy journey in life, through state care, circumstances of family sadness or bereavement needed a helping hand to set a good trajectory for future adult life. By God's grace they came to know his love, through the best of church families. Now their family is bigger than they can understand across the globe. This is where we fit in.
Our family unity is not about bricks and mortar, but relationship. There is a huge difference between a house and a home. Home is where we are accepted 100%, where people know the worst about us but love us anyway. This is what we have discovered in Jesus Christ, and this is our deep unity in his family. We are all so different, but we have found that he is the unique and total answer to our greatest need. In short we need repair, our lives are dysfunctional and not as originally intended by the architect. This world has damaged us, and at our core we are broken, in need of restoration.
Last time we visited Kremenets we wanted to see this work of God's restoration in people's lives expand, and so in thankfulness for what he has done for us, and trusting in him we prayed for provision of another house to home boys/ young men in need of a helping hand. God miraculously provided - we felt the smile of his heart on these things. This building was purchased...
During covid months, we
have from a distance watched boys move in and make (a small part of this house) a home under the loving
care of church leaders who have the heart of God for restoration in people. We
have played a small part over the last 18 months, but many are praying, and we
have a family Father who loves to listen and help. Distance has not impacted our unity of heart and purpose, other than deepening it.
God has blessed this ministry, knowing the macro situation and the micro needs. This work of restoration in people has had a huge knock on effect, as many have heard and seen this in reality , more and more have also joined the family. Now there is need for "full use" and a full restoration of this building to host good purposes. The building is large, and has recently revealed an issue with the roof. Was it in our budget and plans? ... er... no !... but it was in God's. This is his place, which he kindly allows us to use for his purposes. He knows and has foreseen the need - the impact this place makes. He sees all need long before we do, and we trust him for the outcome.
We have some money for materials, and 15 of us who are willing to "have a go"... Will it be enough ? As we repair timbers, put in new ones and reconstruct, we will keep you informed. Please pray for the team as we look to do a good job, and encourage the family. Is this time and money well spent? Well to answer that you need to talk to some of our friends and the impact that it has had on their lives. Some are now on a happy trajectory they could've never foreseen, relationally, spiritually, career, ambitions all on a good path. Many are feeling that they have found their forever home amongst God's people.
OUR FOREVER HOME AND GLOBAL FAMILY
On property restoration programs in the UK, couples are often heard saying that they dream of building their "forever home". In reality no human building or body is forever, however well or much we invest in it. 1 in 1 dies, the statistic of mortality is 100%, life is short and even if an earthly home lasts it will do so without us. Eternity is coming soon and we are not stupid... wanting any building to be our legacy would be a legacy of foolishness, a folly property of no earthly or heavenly use to us. Any fixes we make on a functional building will last a while and help people, but they will not last forever.
THE REAL WORK OF RESTORATION
God fixes people for eternal life in his company. His home is eternal, and that ultimately is where we want people to be, safe in his provision care and outrageously generous love in Jesus Christ. Being accepted by him changes our identity and makes life worth the living, wherever you lay to sleep. One thing we will say though is that this story is wider than the odd individual and house on a hill, it is rippling throughout the world. As lives in Kremenets are transformed, so the region shows restoration, and as the region lifts its eyes to the GOD ABOVE ALL THINGS, so they start travelling to other parts of the world, with good news of love and restoration.
In short, this small insignificant restoration is part of a much bigger, global story, and we're overwhelmed to have a small part in it. We are included by love not because we deserve it. After all we were just ruins and relics before God got hold of us, and cornered us by his love, forgiveness and truth was wrapped up in endless compassion, he helped us hear when we weren't listening. Now we are part of something bigger and greater than ourselves, more beautiful and glorious than this broken world. Please join us on the journey of the next few days... and thank you for all who have continued on the journey during the last 18 months. Praise the architect of all things for his plans of eternal restoration. His plan is bigger and better, outlasting all seasons (covid) and outshining all human projects. In Christ the best is yet to be, In his home is eternal security and satisfaction.
Hebrews 11:10
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
Psalm 127
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
It is a privilege to work together!
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