May 29, 2019 Disheveled, unsettled and in exactly the right place.

Right now, a QHM mission trip is working on week two of a trip to the Ukraine. Already, the team is experiencing how intentionally God is working there!

The Ukraine is one of the more challenging location to do missions, largely because people are very wary and hesitant to explore protestantism. However, with careful planning and a wonderful team of international partners, many important connections are being made.

One night last week, QHM team speaker Steve Wood, and his translator Vova were closing up the meeting location for the night, when a man appeared. He was tipsy, disheveled, unsettled and smelling of alcohol, but Steve and Vova stopped to sit and listen as he began to share his story and life struggles.

While the man’s story unfolded, they almost couldn’t believe the timing. You see, Steve had just shared his own past struggles with alcohol with the entire mission team as they were getting to know one another. This man had approached the one person who truly understood the struggles and brokenness the man was experiencing.

After reassuring the manÑSteve, with Vova’s help, encouraged him to lay his troubles at the feet of Jesus. They gently explained that despite life’s burdens, God loves us and has a plan for usÑwe come to Jesus broken, and Jesus takes our heavy burdens. In fact, Steve is a living, breathing example of just that!

As they parted, Steve and the man hugged. Steve was able to share his own struggle and someone who was lost felt seen and heard and loved. God knew that and brought them together. He made something beautiful and hopeful out of something bleak and hopeless. It was a powerful moment of connection, grace and encouragement for both of them.

In moments like this, God connects us in deeply personal ways and reminds us exactly why we do missions. That is why we Love Loud.