In March 2012, Mike and I were in Ukraine finalizing our adoption of Dmitriy. We had been there for six weeks, much longer than we had hoped for or expected. Our children were with family in Texas and while they were very much loved and cared for, they were missing their momma and daddy. Mike was also exhausting his days of leave from work and needed to return. We made the decision that we would both fly back to the states together. We would get our children from their aunt and uncle in TX, we would drive home to SD, Mike would return to work (leaving church family to care for our children) and a few days later I would return to Ukraine to complete the final few weeks of the adoption process.
Ukraine is a very dark place, spiritually speaking. Mike and I both knew that it would not be wise for me to return alone. We both also knew that I would need a spiritually solid lady to accompany me, but who? Who on earth can leave all their responsibilities in the States and accompany me in Ukraine for the remaining weeks. This lady must be spiritually solid and strong, she must be willing, and to top it all off, she must be passport ready! Mike and I began to brainstorm and we began to pray. We even began to pull out old church directories looking through possibilities.
During our last few nights in Ukraine, before we were to return to the states, my friend, Grace, messaged me. She said something like this... " Misty, I can come help you if you need me too, it is actually a good time for me to come." I remember these words so clearly, because you see, at the time, Grace had eight children (whom she homeschooled) including her son with special needs, and she was halfway into her ninth pregnancy. To me, of all people, it seemed Grace had the most reason to not come! However, she was spiritually solid and strong, she was willing and she was passport ready. It seemed the Lord was answering our prayer above and beyond anything we prayed because a year ago, Grace had completed the adoption of her son from Ukraine. She would be prepared for the culture shock and she knew the adoption process. We agreed we would ask our husbands, we would pray and we would get back with each other. For this situation, the Lord had so plainly laid the answer out. About five days later ,Grace and I met up at the airport in Chicago and headed for Ukraine, our home for the next few weeks.
During this time, Grace was everything that I needed. She was homesick for her children, yet she never once complained. When Grace volunteered to come, she was not signing up for Hawaii, and she knew that. She came to be a servant and to see God glorified. She is the most graceful servant and lives her life in such a way that brings glory to God. My friend, Grace, is truly an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.
The year 2016 rolls around, Grace is still a faithful servant to her family, still loving her role as a homeschooling momma to her now 10 children, (each a miracle and blessing from God) still serving her Lord in her life as an example to the believers.
I share this next part with not only permission, but also encouragement from Grace to share their family story. By my choice, to protect all involved, I am choosing to refrain from details as well as from sharing their personal information.
February 12, 2016, I get unexpected news from Grace. News that was unexpected to Grace, but not to our God, her life as she has known, is forever changed.
Grace's husband is currently in jail and we are expecting his time in prison to be substantial. Grace is left alone with her ten hurting children. This precious friend of mine and her children did nothing wrong, yet they are suffering in ways my human mind cannot comprehend. As Grace's friend, as a wife, as a mother and as her sister in Christ, my heart, my tears and my prayers go out to her.
"As we therefore have opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." ~ Galatians 6:10
I want to extend to you this opportunity to help Grace and her children. If you know me, you know it is not typical of me to share needs and ask others to respond. I really try to be careful and prayerful in what I ask others to invest in, but this has been heavy on my heart all week. Some have already given. Grace is humbled and thankful for the outpouring of love for her family. For me, it has been beautiful to see the Lord work in the hearts of others, moving them to shower this family with love. If the Lord moves upon your heart to give, you can give directing to Grace through pay pal. The need is long term and the need is great. Her pay pal address is...
lovethesilvas@gmail.com
If you would like to help, but would prefer to send gift cards instead of monetary blessings, please let me know and we can work something out to get them to Grace.
Grace's situation brings to my remembrance that neither you, nor I, know what our path might be tomorrow. Just because things are nice today, does not mean we are promised the same for tomorrow. Though our paths may change, we can rest assured that our sovereign Lord never changes, nor does he forsake his own.
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword." ~ Romans 8:35
This also brings to remembrance the verse in 1 Corinthians
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."
Aside from the grace of God, none of us are above such a situation. I think it is so important for us to remember that.
Please keep Grace and her children in your prayers. Yes, there is a huge financial need, but there are many other logistics to be worked out. Pray the Lord might grant Grace the wisdom she needs to make important upcoming decisions and pray for the hearts of her and her children. The Lord alone can bring forth complete healing and restoration, even in the darkest of valleys. Pray for her husband, that even right now, he might find true repentance through Jesus Christ.
"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more." ~ Psalm 71:14
