Serendipity

Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something else entirely.

Today is one of the days I go to Boyarka's Childrens Home to teach English to these and about 5 more teenagers. I go because the kids are falling behind in their studies and no one in the orphanage can really help them in English.

Satan has been having a hay-day with this. It seems as though when Wednesday or Friday roll around (my only days without a full teaching schedule at the Christian school), I am just not motivated to go anywhere. It is cold and snowy; I am tired and want to rest; The clothes need washing; The house needs cleaning..... The list goes on and on. BUT....most days I go anyway and love it once I get there.

I started this "project" to help the students.... serendipitously.... I have been blessed. I went looking to serve, and am being served. These kids are AMAZING! Today, they eagerly participated in everything I had for them to do and the class was over before I realized it. When I started to leave, they asked when I would be back. I told them that I would be there on Friday. I expected moans and complaints. Instead, I got cheers. "We love our English lessons!" "Can't you come everyday?"

Then, I told them that next Wednesday was my birthday and I would probably not be there. They were insistent that I come anyway... especially since it was my birthday. One sweet girl said.... "You don't have children to celebrate with and we don't have moms to celebrate with.... it works out just right!" Guess where I will be spending my birthday evening?

Serendipity???? Or God's unique plan and blessing?

Forever....IN HIS HOPE!

Ever have those days when it just seems nothing you do matters?! We all do, I am sure. Well, I was reminded today that we never know what kind of impact what we do has on others.

Several years ago.... SEVERAL.... I started a Bible Study in my home for teenage girls. It was geared mainly at the missionary kids that I was teaching at school. These 13 or so girls gave up every Friday night to crowd into my little apartment for an hour long study from the book "Lady In Waiting" by Debbi Jones. Some Friday nights, I wished I had never committed to this... yet I pressed on.

It seemed at times that the girls were really getting the message of staying pure in thought and mind while waiting for Mister Right. UNTIL... the topic of waiting even for that first kiss. Wow... that was a hot topic. Most thought that the very idea was insane. Oh well... maybe they learned something.

Well here it is, almost 10 years later and I got this email from a former student telling me of her new boyfriend. In it she shared this....

"next one totally came from his side, it was an answer to my prayers...he said a kiss is extremely special and should be kept for the wedding day. I must confess, I was totally surprised! That’s exactly what I had wanted, but knew the man leads the relationship and I was told that NO man would ever want or be able to do that.

I've been wanting to contact you, because when someone asks me who I'd say was a teacher who really stands out as I think back on my days of school, I always say Miss DeWett. Thankyou so much for everything you taught me and everything you were to me. Even as we worked through Lady In Waiting. That book made the world of difference in my life. It layed foundations, like nothing else, especially for relationships. The fact that I waited is such a blessing to me, as well as in my relationship with Dewald. Now I can come to him without issues and baggage, without having had my heart broken so many times. I'm so thankful to you for following the Lord's guidance in that. I bought the new and updated version of the book and I was so excited to see that your name's there too, talking about the Bible Study you had for us. It was the coolest thing...to be able to say: "YES! I was one of those girls."

If that were the end of the story... I would be pleased.... BUT..... today I received this......

"Our day was so special and absolutely amazing! It's so wonderful to be married....Most certainly worth waiting for! Was an absolute honour, also the fact that he waited for me too."

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.... and thanks Sune' for encouraging me!!!!

Well... here I am and here it is... My Blog! This is for you my faithful friends. I hope to be able to keep you updated on a more regular basis through this site. I will even try to include pictures now and then. (That is after I learn how to do this!) I am not sure how consistently I will update this, but I will try to keep you informed about my life and ministry here in Ukraine. So... until next time....

I am.....

IN HIS HOPE