The Way to Life
Scripture says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21.
Friday was intense, really intense, as I had planned to drive through Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and make our way to Boryspil. During our trip, the areas around Kyiv came under extreme attack. That is tough when you are on the road trying to find your way. Trucks with heavy machine guns rolled out along the highway to shoot down drones. Rockets, ballistic missiles, and drones were flying overhead. Then the military scrambled the GPS signals so the rockets and drones could not lock in, but we could not find the right roads either.
Sometimes it can be so hard to find the way. I found myself asking Him, Which way do we go? In life, you find yourself in situations where projects seem impossible, like there is no way that this is going to work. In those times, a common scripture has become my go-to. When there is no way in life or ministry, Jesus said. “I am the way and the truth and the life.
Ever since my last trip to Ukraine in November, there has been one project that seemed impossible, one that looked like there was no way. Let me explain.
On that trip, a surgeon and military general overseeing three university hospitals asked me to meet with the Chancellor at the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University in Vinnytsia. They wanted to partner with a medical school in America. Someone told them I had contacts in Birmingham, Alabama, so they asked if I could help make that connection. I remember telling them, “Well, God can.” I told them I would do everything I could to help make this vision become a reality.
The meeting in November.
We meet with the Chancellor, Military General and medical coordinator at the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University
Since then, I called a true friend and brother in Birmingham, someone God uses to make things happen. He and his wife are like ligaments in the body of Christ, helping things connect and move. I asked him to help, and he got right to work.
So I traveled to Birmingham to join him and meet with leaders at the Global Institute at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We both left that meeting encouraged. There was openness, sincere interest, and a willingness to continue the conversation.
Meeting at UAB
Meeting with the Directors of the Mary Heersink Institute for Global Health at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Then on Friday, we had our first introductory Zoom meeting with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University in Vinnytsia. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who prayed for this meeting. It was a huge success. There are moments when you feel like you've truly connected with the heart of God and stepped into His purpose.
As I listened to the doctors from Ukraine and the physicians from UAB, I kept thinking about how God makes a way for His purposes.
The meeting began with the Ukrainian physicians giving a report on current conditions. What they shared was heavy. They spoke about wounded patients, long recoveries, pain, rehabilitation, infection, and the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Over 35% of wounded soldiers are dying from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, leading to sepsis. It is a massive problem in Ukraine. This is what they face every day while still trying to teach, train, and move forward under constant air alerts and attacks.
Then the UAB doctors responded. They talked about real ways they could help: training, collaboration, research, and even bringing Ukrainian doctors to Birmingham to learn protocols and principles. UAB is also conducting specialized research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and shows real interest in the kinds of bacteria they are seeing in Ukraine, as well as ways they may be able to bring knowledge and medicine that could make a real difference. It felt like watching God’s will unfold right in front of me.
The bottom line: It looks like God will form this medical school partnership.
He (Jesus) has made a way!
Jesus is the WAY the truth and the life, when there is no other way.
Today, Pastor Frederick and I will meet with the physicians at the Medical School in Vinnytsia to learn more about their essential needs that we can communicate when we go to Birmingham, Alabama.
Then, in two weeks, Pastor Frederick, who is also a medical doctor who graduated from Vinnytsia Medical School, and I will meet with the University of Alabama medical team to discuss the essential next steps.
Doing this work keeps reminding me that as followers of Jesus, we are called to build God’s Kingdom in real and practical ways, by doing good and easing people’s suffering. During the first few years of ministry, I thought ministry was mostly about building the church and leading people to Jesus. That is part of it, but there is more. We are called to do good, be kind, and partner with God in whatever He places before us.
Jesus said he would build the church. I believe we are to partner with Him to build the Kingdom, and that means being a blessing to the culture and advancing the “common good.”
Also, yesterday, I met with a ministry called Dental Hope. They are doing incredible work by providing free dental care on the front lines, caring for refugees and soldiers, all at no cost. Later, I discovered that they have partnered with the same military chaplains I have been working with. It is a divine connection, one that only God could have orchestrated. Now, Dental Hope needs a home base to run a clinic while continuing to use their mobile unit for ministry.
On Sunday, I realized the person leading Dental Hope is also the worship leader at Frederick’s church. As I watched him lead worship, I felt in my Spirit that God wanted to join us for His purposes.
Yesterday we sat down to discuss the possibilities. We gathered, prayed, and looked at possible rooms at the Hope Center for this partnership.
To the Glory of God, it seems that God has joined us for his divine purposes. We believe we will team up with Dental Hope to provide free dental care at the Hope Center and to bring dental care to the front lines of Ukraine for soldiers and refugees.
This is another divine appointment and a miracle.
The Hope Center has always been about more than a building. It is a place we believe will be a refuge, a place of help, prayer, and practical hope in Ukraine.
The Hope Center is an immediate refuge for refugees fleeing the conflict in the east. Here, we lead them to safety, surround them with compassionate support, and provide free medical and dental care. It is a place where practical ministry and the love of Jesus truly come together.
He is still making a way. But we need your help.
Please pray for us, and please prayerfully help us complete the Hope Center construction financially. We are so close, but we need funds to finish this essential project. We also want to help Dental Hope, which is raising funds to support the people of Ukraine.
Today, I am thankful. Tired, way tired, but thankful. God is still at work. And in the middle of all this sorrow, He still makes a way for life.