It was such a blessing to be at the birthday party of the daughter of one of the new refugee families from Ukraine. The food was delicious, but the best part was getting to know them and their stories. It was an evening I will never forget.
It was Abigail’s 21st birthday party. She had just come to America September 4th this year. Friends from the Ukrainian church came. Abigail is married and expecting her first baby in November. So I bought a baby outfit along with a gift card to a restaurant to give her for her birthday.
Abigail sat down and talked with me with the help of a young woman translating. She did not know she was pregnant until after Russia invaded Ukraine.. She fled with her parents and siblings but her husband stayed behind. She found out she was pregnant while she was in Germany, but the first months there, her husband still was not with her. She was in such distress that she lost weight. Her husband joined her one month before they all came to America.
Abigail is a talented singer. I listened to a video of her singing in a church in Ukraine. She has a beautiful voice. Abigail and her sister Ester both studied in a music school in their home city. They showed me pictures of their home city from before the war. It was a beautiful city but now lies in ruins.
The family had to flee which means things were left behind. Ester plays violin and piano. She had to leave her violin behind. When Ester share that with me. her sadness was clearly evident. I have also listened to a video of her singing and she also sings beautifully. In fact, she sang at a wedding at the Ukrainian church here a few hours before the birthday party.
Now I have a mission to try to get Ester a violin. Before leaving, I prayed for the family One thing I am mindful of when a family welcomes me in, is what Jesus said in Matthew 10:41
Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
I am not a prophet. But as a missionary who has served Jesus among the nations in my city for over twenty years, I remember the verse from Matthew when I visit homes.
Please pray with me for this family for Abigail’s baby and for Ester to have a violin.
Thank you. God Bless
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🙏 heavenly father, I join Matt in praying for Abigail‘s baby, and for Esther to find a violin.
Please help Abigail and her husband as they adjust to living in a new country. I pray for a good violin 🎻 For Esther— not a cheapie.
Thank you for the important work you do through Matt. Please continue to give him the physical strength to be a missionary in your name.
Thank you for praying David!!!
Big Brother Matt, you are truly a soldier of the Lord giving back to others in a loving spirit. The families you support through love are blessed beyond measure. I can sense your sincerity and I stand in prayer with you for families in need. You are serving them the best possible way towards healing through the Word of God. I will keep you in prayers as well my brother.
Thank you for praying little sister. The families are a blessing for me
Such a great work you are doing there! Prayers for them and your continued efforts!
Thank you for praying!!!
Such a sad situation to find yourself in… for no good reason, I hope they will be able to go back home soon
It is sad. I don’t think they will go back. Their city is destroyed.
Praying for the two sisters and their families, for hope, good health, and provision. 🌺
Thank you for praying for them!!! They are a blessing
In light of the verse you shared, you are most definitely a righteous person my friend. Jesus uses you in the most beautiful ways, thanks for sharing these blessings with us.
Praying along side you—over the violin, the new baby, and these precious Ukrainian families.
Thank you for your kind words and for praying for them.
Hey ignorant question…remind me why so many refugees end up in Lincoln of all the places in the world?
It started with the U.S. government trying out having refugees relocated to mid sized cities in the late 70s and 80s. The refugees did better in mid sized cities so it continued to happen. Lincoln was at first considered refugee friendly and is now highest designation for a city for refugee resettlement.
Wow that’s really interesting! What a unique opportunity for (world) missionary-minded Christians to be the hands and feet of Christ and to be witnesses to the ends of the earth, without even leaving your own city.
Then again, we all have that same opportunity—to share the gospel to anyone of any background or people group.
It is a wonderful opportunity. It amazes me that Jesus has given me opportunities to share him with people from numerous countries
I will keep your friends in my prayers. You are a blessing. May the Lord bless you also.