After living in Ukraine as missionaries for over two years, the time came for us to go back to the United States to get our passports renewed.  We enjoyed being back with friends and family, and we shared how faithful God had been to us in Ukraine and how we were looking forward to returning to our ministry in March of 2007.  

  During this time, we found out that we were going to be having a new addition to our ministry team!  Initially, we were still planning to go back to Ukraine and pay for a midwife to come to us for the baby’s birth.  Then, we found out that our wonderful midwife wouldn’t be able to come because of other obligations and as we made numerous phone calls, we had a very difficult time finding a midwife that would be able to come to Ukraine.  

  After searching for weeks, we did find a midwife, but just at that time, we were working on our taxes and discovered that we owed more in social security taxes than we had anticipated.  

  And so, after all of this waiting and wondering, our trip to Ukraine was postponed so that Scott could work over the summer.  Scott’s uncle kindly gave him a job with his business, and since Scott’s parents had their basement furnished and remodeled into living quarters, they graciously allowed us to stay with them.  

  But, it was all so unexpected!  It was such a shock for us because we thought that we had an ideal plan.  After all, God had called us to minister and serve the Ukrainian people.  Why would he now hold us back?  

  At the end of spring, I saw one of my friends and as we were catching up with our lives, she noticed a birth mark on my arm and encouraged me to get it examined.  After going to the doctor, I found out that it was melanoma cancer.  Surgery followed, and then recovery, and God carried us in His arms through that challenging time.  How grateful we were for the prayers and support of our friends!  The words, “I’m praying for you,” meant more than ever before, and God did answer those prayers.  The results from the lymph biopsy after the operation came back good!  

  Recently, God also blessed us with another major answer to our prayers.  He gave us our precious little girl, Damara Faith.  Today she is only three weeks old, but every day we rejoice in such a miracle of life!  

  Yes, things happen in our lives.  They happen in such a way that, sometimes, they don’t make sense.  It turns our plans and our lives upside down!  But, no matter what kind of circumstances come into our lives, we, as Christians, can remember that we have an awesome, sovereign God!  

  As we look back at all that happened, we see how God amazingly orchestrated the circumstances of our lives.  It didn’t make sense at the time, it was difficult...but in Ukraine, we wouldn’t have found out about the melanoma or received the proper medical care.  God knew what He was doing!  

  I hope that your faith is strengthened through this, as you think about the things that are going on in your life right now.  Oh, for grace to trust Him more!  With love,  Oksana

 

(Heb. 11:6)