Coming Home

I am sorry to announce that I will be leaving Odessa, Ukraine on July 21 2008. This past month and a half has taught me so much about missions work and about loving through actions and not words. There are many reasons for my early departure but it is in God’s hands and He has a plan.

Culture shock is something that affects everyone that comes on the mission field, and it affects them in different ways. For me it was not the being able to get around the city, or ride the buses and go grocery shopping. For me it came in a way that I would have never expected. Since the day I arrived I felt very homesick and because of that I was never able to fully engage in my ministry. As I tried to overcome it each day and week it just seemed to get worse and manifest itself into physical and more emotional problems. I feel that because I am not able to give myself 100% to the ministry here it would not be fair for me to stay. I am not able to be the best that I can be to the team that I work with or the kids that I minister to every day.

I want each of you to know that the ministry that goes on here in Odessa is amazing and has life changing effects on all of the kids. I have been able to make great friends while here and really feel the touch of God in my life and those around me. I have learned so much in the past seven weeks and I am so excited to share with anyone that will listen to the things that God has taught me and the things that I have seen.

I want to thank everyone that has been praying for me and keeping updated with how I am doing. Your words of encouragement have gone a long way and really helped me.

The next step for me after I return home is unclear right now. Because it is so late in the internship program I am not sure if I will be able to continue my internship in North America or not. At this point I am fully in God’s hands and know that whatever happens will be with good reason and completely in His will.

Please pray for:

- The seeds that I have been able to plant while I have been here

- That the good-byes are not more difficult then need be

- For the children I was not able to meet and show God’s love to

- That the remainder of my internship goes with God’s plan and not human plans

- For Ally as she adjust to the new culture and ministry (Bethany intern who arrived July 1)

- Please pray that I have a safe flight home and that my overnight stay in Frankfurt goes okay

Carpe Diem

(Seize every moment and experience God gives you, no matter what it is and how hard it may be)

Deborah Guptill