"How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD." ~Psalm 116:12-13
How do we respond to the goodness, of God? We receive his goodness and lift it up for others, so they may partake as well. In the spirit of lifting the cup of salvation, I'd like to share a story with you. I've done much during my tenure in Ukraine, and truly enjoy sharing what God has done through me, but sometimes, some stories need to be put aside for awhile and told later. Some stories will never be told, to protect others from shame, some eventually need to be told, like this one:
I met a young girl on the street. She was offering her body for a nominal fee. Her John had used her, hit her, and left her without payment. She was trying to makes some fast cash so her pimp would not "show his anger". So, she propositioned me. I declined, and started to move on, but I sensed desperation in her voice. I proceeded to tell her that I was a pastor and tried to explain why it would be wrong on so many levels, but I never got past the word "pastor". Her eyes filled with shame. I wanted to console her but in truth, I didn't want to be see with her, this "kind" of woman. Still, I knew that I needed to do something, so I offered to buy her a cup of coffee, and then we sat down in a cafe and began to talk.
She shared her story with me. She was 18, and had been offered a "modeling" job in Kiev. They put her on a train and sent her off. When she arrived she was forcibly put in a car and taken to a flat in the city, where they took all her documents for "safe keeping". They informed her that she was in debt to them for her travel, housing, and safety. she would have to "work off" her debt. That started an endless cycle. The "Investor" already takes 80% for her earnings for setting up appointments and holds the rest of the money to pay for her "expenses": clothes, room and board, taxi to clients, and even the condoms she has to use. Her debt simply increases and she will continue to work for them until she is used up and unprofitable. This is a common story here.
My soul burned with indignation, and my heart with sorrow. I asked her how much she owed at this point. $3000. An insurmountable amount for someone in that situation. I made a decision. I would help. I had just over $3000 in my bank account, and from that time, I have never been able to replenish any amount of savings in my time in Kiev. I had the phone number of her "service". I took me 6 days to withdraw the funds. I met with her "investor" and offered to buy her debt, to be honest I didn't think he would go for it. But after a fat lip (mine), a few bruises (mine as well), and a couple of heated conversations later; I had her documents in my hand and was leaving with her at my side.
With the little remaining money to my name, we took the metro to the train station and I bought her a ticket back home. We waited through the night for her train. She asked me a one word question: "Why?" I told her of the grace and rescue I had received in my own life from God. I told her of my debt to this grace... That is was a fee gift, but it cost me my life, that my world was no longer my own, but belonged to all the others in need of mercy, rescue, and salvation. That grace is not received unless it is given back. I told her I simply had no choice. She was in need, and if I tuned my back one her I was turning my back on my own salvation and condemning myself. For me it was a moment of clarity, seeing my mission and life through unfiltered eyes.
For her it was salvation. She prayed with me in that train station, thanking God for her already given rescue and offered her life as a service to him. She left on her train. with no money but the 50gryvna ($10 at the time)I gave her , no phone, no belongings, but her documents, her life, and her hope.
I returned home on my remaining metro token, penniless, and filled with joy.The next two weeks I ate what I already had in the house, but not even wanting more. I was content with every bite knowing that my meager meals were the cost of her redemption. That was quite a long time back. I have not spoken to her since then. I wouldn't know how to contact her if I tried. But, in that moment I was living in gratitude for my own salvation, I had lifted up the cup of salvation to another, at cost to myself.
Don't think that I am some great holy guy. I am selfish, and crass. Most days my life is lived for myself. I know that's an odd thing for a missionary to say. Aren't missionaries selfless ones who live to serve others? That's what we should be, but we are stricken with the same plight of humanity as all others. Most of my days aren't spent rescuing young girls from human trafficking, but all my days SHOULD be about lifting up that cup of salvation to the world, and calling upon the name of the Lord.
This holiday season, remember what scripture says about how to show our gratitude, and lift up the cup of salvation, even in the small ways. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
How do we respond to the goodness, of God? We receive his goodness and lift it up for others, so they may partake as well. In the spirit of lifting the cup of salvation, I'd like to share a story with you. I've done much during my tenure in Ukraine, and truly enjoy sharing what God has done through me, but sometimes, some stories need to be put aside for awhile and told later. Some stories will never be told, to protect others from shame, some eventually need to be told, like this one:
I met a young girl on the street. She was offering her body for a nominal fee. Her John had used her, hit her, and left her without payment. She was trying to makes some fast cash so her pimp would not "show his anger". So, she propositioned me. I declined, and started to move on, but I sensed desperation in her voice. I proceeded to tell her that I was a pastor and tried to explain why it would be wrong on so many levels, but I never got past the word "pastor". Her eyes filled with shame. I wanted to console her but in truth, I didn't want to be see with her, this "kind" of woman. Still, I knew that I needed to do something, so I offered to buy her a cup of coffee, and then we sat down in a cafe and began to talk.
She shared her story with me. She was 18, and had been offered a "modeling" job in Kiev. They put her on a train and sent her off. When she arrived she was forcibly put in a car and taken to a flat in the city, where they took all her documents for "safe keeping". They informed her that she was in debt to them for her travel, housing, and safety. she would have to "work off" her debt. That started an endless cycle. The "Investor" already takes 80% for her earnings for setting up appointments and holds the rest of the money to pay for her "expenses": clothes, room and board, taxi to clients, and even the condoms she has to use. Her debt simply increases and she will continue to work for them until she is used up and unprofitable. This is a common story here.
My soul burned with indignation, and my heart with sorrow. I asked her how much she owed at this point. $3000. An insurmountable amount for someone in that situation. I made a decision. I would help. I had just over $3000 in my bank account, and from that time, I have never been able to replenish any amount of savings in my time in Kiev. I had the phone number of her "service". I took me 6 days to withdraw the funds. I met with her "investor" and offered to buy her debt, to be honest I didn't think he would go for it. But after a fat lip (mine), a few bruises (mine as well), and a couple of heated conversations later; I had her documents in my hand and was leaving with her at my side.
With the little remaining money to my name, we took the metro to the train station and I bought her a ticket back home. We waited through the night for her train. She asked me a one word question: "Why?" I told her of the grace and rescue I had received in my own life from God. I told her of my debt to this grace... That is was a fee gift, but it cost me my life, that my world was no longer my own, but belonged to all the others in need of mercy, rescue, and salvation. That grace is not received unless it is given back. I told her I simply had no choice. She was in need, and if I tuned my back one her I was turning my back on my own salvation and condemning myself. For me it was a moment of clarity, seeing my mission and life through unfiltered eyes.
For her it was salvation. She prayed with me in that train station, thanking God for her already given rescue and offered her life as a service to him. She left on her train. with no money but the 50gryvna ($10 at the time)I gave her , no phone, no belongings, but her documents, her life, and her hope.
I returned home on my remaining metro token, penniless, and filled with joy.The next two weeks I ate what I already had in the house, but not even wanting more. I was content with every bite knowing that my meager meals were the cost of her redemption. That was quite a long time back. I have not spoken to her since then. I wouldn't know how to contact her if I tried. But, in that moment I was living in gratitude for my own salvation, I had lifted up the cup of salvation to another, at cost to myself.
Don't think that I am some great holy guy. I am selfish, and crass. Most days my life is lived for myself. I know that's an odd thing for a missionary to say. Aren't missionaries selfless ones who live to serve others? That's what we should be, but we are stricken with the same plight of humanity as all others. Most of my days aren't spent rescuing young girls from human trafficking, but all my days SHOULD be about lifting up that cup of salvation to the world, and calling upon the name of the Lord.
This holiday season, remember what scripture says about how to show our gratitude, and lift up the cup of salvation, even in the small ways. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.