Love Like Fire

Kenya is awesome.
I love love love love it here!
So here is a short summary of how my life here has been:

This past week we have been teaching children on the subject of commitment. On my own time with Jesus, I too have been focusing on asking myself how committed I really am to God and my calling. This week has been a much needed week of evaluating my life and who I am in Christ. So here's what I got!

I've learned how GOOD Jesus is to me. How much He really loves. Upon coming to Kenya, I found myself in a lot of confusion because I couldn't figure out for what purpose God wanted me here. I felt like I only came back to fulfill my need of love for this place. For 2 whole weeks I kept asking and asking what God's purpose is for me here.

I STILL DON'T KNOW.

I don't think that I even need to know. The good news is that slowly but surely my perspective on ministry is being RESTORED. Not that I had a bad view on ministry. I was just really tired. Back home, I found myself getting caught up in doing a lot for God and not doing anything with Him. There's a massive difference. I was steering away from His presence unnoticeably. In the ministry work I was doing I was running on physical strength alone. My cup was definitely not running over.

This is the beginning of my 4th week here and God has brought so much restoration, healing, and understanding into my life. My COMPASSION has been completely restored too! (That would be the first thing that Africa will do to you.) I've learned that wherever I am called and placed I need to live, first, abiding in Jesus and making sure I am praising Him and receiving spiritual strength from Him and, second, serving His people with all I have, wholeheartedly. Because that is what I am called to and for. And instead of looking at it as an irritating, impossible and hard thing to do, I now see it as a JOY to SERVE, LOVE and ENCOURAGE people.

I have been replaying this song over and over again this past week. I want people to see His love that is like a fire. I am abandoned to His will and THAT IS WHY I'M HERE! (Now I know :))

Pictures!

Visiting my sponsor child, Lucy, in Mwala, Kenya

Africa

Elephant Orphanage

 Making porridge

My Week So Far

Finally I get to update on my second experience in the place I call my second home-- KENYA!

This will be short because I'm tired.

Arrived early Friday morning. Came home, slept all day.

Woke up early the next day to go cook chapatis for Nairobi Children's Home. Slept the afternoon off then started doing my homework, and fell asleep again on my books (theology is hard and boring at times!).

On Sunday I went to church (Nairobi Chapel) with Martin and his family. It was awesome! I love the way Africans do worship. After church, Grace and Hope came over and we spent the afternoon eating ramen noodles with corn, painting nails, and chatting. In the evening Dee and I went to The Junction (mall) to Java House (coffee house/restaurant) and I ordered a legit American meal! Mmmmmmm. It was that good.

Monday was a free day. Caught up on some needed alone time with Jesus. And homework :/

Tuesday we went to a girls rehab center. Got to introduce myself and sit back and observe how things are being done by the local team.

Wednesday we went to a boys rehab center. We started the day with exercises. FUN WAS HAD BY ALL. Then went into teaching. I got to lead a prayer for the younger boys to accept Jesus, what JOY!

Today is Thursday! Went evangelizing in the slum. Met some amazing people. On the way back to the house for lunch we found bed bugs on our bodies! Uhhhhhhhhhhh. FREAKED OUT. Got as much off as we can. Came home. Headed straight into the shower. Correction, I wasn't gonna take a shower until two of the nasty little things fell out of my shirt or HAIR!

All is well! Now it is just a funny memory.

That is all for now. I am going to sleep. Lala Salama! Good night!

PS- I LOVE IT HERE.

2013 Trip: Kenya, Africa

Hello! You are probably here to find out how you can invest into my mission trip to Kenya, Africa.

First off, thank you in advance for helping me out! I appreciate anything you can give. Even if it's just one item off the list, it helps a lot!

Here is the list I have compiled of things I've noticed many children, teens and adults are in need of. I have included an explanation (for some) of what your donated item will be used for. I am limited as to how much I can take, so act fast :) Otherwise, I will kindly turn you down. Again, thank you for your help! May God reward you for all you give into His kingdom.

PS- It might seem ridiculous that I put a max on some things, I know, but like I've mentioned before I have a limit as to how much I can take with me. If you'd like to give more, I will pack up a box and ship it over and it should arrive towards the end of my stay. Therefore, I will still be able to give out anything you desire to give.

FOR SCHOOL/BOYS & GIRLS HOMES:

10 (24pk) Crayons- for students in the school that Empower A Child ministers to. We don't let them keep the crayons. We bring them to class when we have a coloring project and the kids will share them.

Notebooks (maximum I can take is 15)

Coloring books (preferably w/Bible stories) (max 15)

Pens (max100)

Pencils (max 100)

Erasers (max 50)

Clothes- Any age, any kind. I am limited as to how much I can take but if you have any clothes that you would like to pass on let me know ASAP.

Hard Candy- jolly ranchers, laffy taffy, bubble gum, NO CHOCOLATE :)

Sponsor Child- I will be visiting my sponsor child, Lucy, through World Vision. If you would specifically like to give any of the items on the list to her and her family, please do!

$$$- I am still in the process of raising financial support. I have $1,300 left to raise for this trip. If you have it on your heart to help me out, I will be more than grateful! 

FOR YOU- if there is anything you would like from Africa: coffee, tea, small souvenir, let me know! I would be more than honored to bring something back for you in return for your contribution!

This is all I can think of for now. If there is anything else that comes to your mind, let me know! 

Please email me (vgayduchik@hotmail.com) or text/call/facebook me SOON.

Link to Sponsor Child info page: http://myshare.worldvision.org/VitaGayduchik

Link to Empower A Child (organization I am working with): www.empower-a-child.org

Easter Pt. 3: The Mission—Jesus, Me, and the Nations

After the burial of Jesus, we find the disciples back in Jerusalem in doubt that the news they had just received from Mary Magdalene was true.

“I had seen the Lord!”

The only five words the Bible records that were spoken from Mary to the disciples in that moment. What else was there to say? Jesus has risen from the dead, the tomb is empty, and now He stands before Mary!? In the excitement of her voice and spirit and having known and walked with Jesus Himself, how could they have doubted?

Fortunately, Jesus did not come to prove himself. Seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10) was His primary mission as He walked the earth. And as He ascended from this earth He reiterated this mission to His disciples. Saying,

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

                                                                                (Mark 16:15)

This is our mission.

Jesus is calling you and me to GO.

Today is your mission field. He may not be calling you to Africa or India but He is calling you to step into this year, this month, week, day, hour and second with authority over your battles and the mission on your shoulders. Carrying the power of His command through every circumstance, job, and relationship in your life. Declaring truth wherever He leads your step and living a life worthy of your calling (Ephesians 4:1).

The calling is for today for we are not promised tomorrow.

What is Jesus asking of you today? Where is He leading you to share your faith and story?

In the time frame of one day I believe He calls us to live out His purpose. You may be called to go far and hard, but your mission field starts here, today. Just look at the doubtful disciples who are now convinced and excited.

“Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere…”

                                                                       (Mark 16:20)

This year God is calling me to be the story. To reflect His Son and walk in His leadership. He’s leading me to GO and preach the good news to everyone. His story is my motivation. His death is my reason. His resurrection is the fire in my heart. And that fire gives me the power to be living my life worthy of His call!

Easter Pt. 2: The Relationship—Jesus and Me

I believe that God calls us to more than just to “know” the story. I believe that He calls us to be the story. To be like Jesus.

The greatest way Jesus was united with His Father was through relationship.

re·la·tion·ship: the state of being connected or related.

Jesus was/is connected. Jesus was/is related. And now His personal call for us is to connect to Him. We are related to Him. John 1:12-13, for we are called His children and we are born of Him! He has called us out, He has marked us, all we have to do is receive His gift of freedom and salvation and pursue Him in righteousness. God makes it easy. He opens the door and gives us the option to either deny or accept the invitation. No force, no bribe. Choice. Two feet in past the door we are His. We are now experiencing Him instead of just knowing of Him. We are persevering because we are not quitters. We are accepted because we no longer reject Him. We are in a relationship with Him. We are linked to His heart and now beat the same heartbeat. What He desires, I desire. What I desire, He gives because He is working for my good and His desire is to satisfy me more each day (Psalm 103:5)!

A different kind of relationship. A friendship with a radical bond. This is intimacy with Love Himself.

"Oh to be like You.

To give all I have just to know You.

Jesus there’s no one besides You.

Forever the Hope in my heart."

Easter Pt. 1: The Story- Jesus.

“…not my will, but Yours be done.” -Matthew 26:39

This short passage says a lot about the character of Christ. Selfless. Simple. Giving. Devoted. Strong, etc. The verse sums up the life of Christ on earth. Fulfilling God’s purpose and completely removing himself out of the way for the plan: God’s gracious yet critical story of the cross. We all know the story. We hear it every Easter and are reminded throughout the rest of the year of what Jesus did for us on the cross. But I feel God is reminding us the significance of His purpose through Jesus. The life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are all substantial, but it’s not enough to just know the story. God is calling us to see and live the way Jesus did.

We can see Jesus accomplish His purpose throughout the entire Gospel. Healing (Matthew 4:23). Calming the storm (Mark 4:39). Raising the dead (John 11:43-44). Feeding the hungry (Luke 9:16-17). Walking on water (Matthew 14:25). And essentially, conquering death!
“Death has been swallowed up in victory!” (1 Corinthians 15:54)

Christ died for our sins, once and for all, to bring us to God (1Peter 3:18). What an obedient and humble move on Christ’s part. In the most perfect way our Father shows us the greatest example of obedience, sacrifice, humility, and most importantly, love. The cross—where humility now rests through the blood shedding event on Calvary. All for sin.

Coming back to the creation of this perfect man we find God Himself in humility. Sending His one Son to be crucified. So that in me and in you He would see Jesus, and pursue us for life.

God forms His son in the womb of a plain woman. Plain to us, but to Him, Mary held a special part of His heart. She was favored in the eyes of God because she was His devoted servant. In the appearance of one angel, Mary believed. And as if believing such news was not enough, she glorified the Lord in song.

From the creation of baby Jesus to the death on the cross, we see God’s plan unfold, not just for Jesus, but for us as well.

To be continued.

Committed Cause.

Jeremiah 11:1-10-- persistance in disobedience before the Lord from the house of Israel and Judah. Their focus was on the promises and privileges of God, however, they were lacking in evidence of responsibility and duty as followers of God.

"But you, Lord Almighty, who judge righteously
  and test the heart and mind,
  let me see your vengeance on them,
  for to you I have committed my cause."
                                             -Jeremiah 11:20

Earlier on in Jeremiah 11, the people of Judah and Jerusalem are criticized for choosing to form God into their own liking. As a son/daughter of the King we have many privileges here on earth and eternally in the Kingdom. But all privileges come with responsibility, a duty. Unfortunately, the house of Israel and the house of Judah broke the promise between God and their forefathers. So God says:

"...although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them." (Jeremiah 11:11)

It doesn't make sense to only take in and dwell on the blessings, promises and privileges of God and completely ignore the duty of a true disciple behind each blessing, promise and privilege.
We can't expect God to lavish us with blessings if we don't keep up our part of being responsible in the privileges of knowing and experiencing God through His gifts. Even the simplest gift-- the gift of life. We live because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). We owe our whole life to Jesus because of His love.

I want to live my life completely focused and centered around Christ. So that even when people accuse me, hurt me, come against me (going back to Jeremiah 11:20), I can fully depend and commit the cause to Him. And that is my duty in every God-given privilege as a daughter of the King. To give all my worries to Him because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7, NLV).

Whatever God is promising you or blessing you with-- it's for His glory. Our commission (duty!) is to let Him be known in every area of our lives!

3 Things Satan Knows.

The three things satan knows:

You're on the frontline.
Soaring higher and higher.
Your vision.

And the one thing he is doing is destroying. Excuse me, trying to destroy.
The frontline of ministry. The frontline of God's army. If he takes you down, the rest will be easy.
As I grow in my relationship with Christ I rise higher into my calling and higher into His presence. For satan this is an advantage. When he battles with you and if he takes you down, the higher you are the easier it will be to take down everything you have built as the foundation and stepping stone in your relationship.
And the most important: your vision. He is aware of your vision. My vision.
Keep up in perseverance (James 1:2-4, Hebrews 10:36). The vision will always be there because the heart behind it is the Lord's. Your vision, life's purpose, your mission, goal, your hope is in Christ alone.
When satan comes to knock you down off your feet, use the power of the Word in James 1:2-4. Consider it pure joy! This testing of your faith produces that perseverance. And after perseverance is produced you are made more complete in Him who knows your trials and sees your hardship in every season.

I Surrender.

Realizing how much I need to surrender before you God. You deserve all of me!
God, I am desperate for you and long to know you more.