(Well worn bricks at New York’s Liberty Park train station, which is no longer in operation. 1000′s walked these bricks coming from Ellis Island, after coming from all over the world to the nation of liberty.)
What do you think of when your see this picture?
While checking out a friend’s pictures on Facebook, I saw this picture of brick paved streets, which, in turn, reminded me of cobblestone streets, which, resulted in me thinking of L’viv (as if I didn’t do enough of this already!). It’s been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, but, even though my undergrad is in creative writing, to me a picture is worth a thousand thoughts!
So, I started thinking about, first of all how beautiful cobblestone streets are–the way the sunlight bounces off each uneven paver, like a creek babbles over shallow river rock, the elegance they add to a culture, like a pearl necklace enhances a woman’s natural beauty. Of course, along with the beauty and simple elegance they radiate, they also are useful for heightening one’s level of caution: how they walk on them, how they drive on them, and, if it’s rainy, what kind of sole you’d wear to insure your steadiness.
We know cobblestone streets aren’t the best for driving on, but that probably means just the opposite for people. In fact, researchers from the Oregon Research Institute are proving it’s true. Their studies show that people who walk on cobblestone streets enjoy significant improvement in balance, measures of mobility and blood pressure. The stones seemed to serve as a vast community of massage therapists for the feet. The surprising result was that the study lasted only 16 weeks. Now, if we weren’t talking physical benefits to cobblestones, but spiritual benefits, what would that looks like? Significant improvement in your walk? Your measure of mobility for the Kingdom?
“Where are you going with this, Adam?” you may ask. Trust me, stay with me here. It may be a bit bumpy, but so are cobblestones!
My “road to Ukraine,” as I’ve termed my itinerating life, is full of cobblestones. With each step I take I meet a new, beautiful, unique paver. Sometimes the pavers are easy, sometimes they aren’t. But, to get from the starting location anywhere, you have to go down some road, some trail, some pathway to get where you’re going. In unchartered territories, maps are helpful, but without any sense of familiarity, you know that God alone is moving you down the road, wrapping you in His guidance, His care, and His love and mercy.
Here I am, almost to the end of the “road.” It’s been a great road, looking back at what each experience way crossing over, and meeting 75% of my cobblestones! I’ve been told that the last 25% is the hardest to walk, and, as it is right now, I sense that. I’m blinded to see the last 25% of cobblestones. I know they are there though, because, above any metaphor one could use to describe raising support and meeting with supporters, I know that our God is there! He is with me in these last weeks, as He was in the weeks leading up to my first cross-cultural mission trip. 
He was there in my second mission journey, and the third, and the fourth, and the fifth, and the sixth. I know He is with me in this, the seventh, and even though this journey is the largest so far (three years!!!), I know nothing is too small for Him; nothing is too large for Him.
Sunday night, Independence Day, as I tried to watch whatever fireworks I could with my family, he allowed the clouds to come forth and He alone allowed those same clouds to fill with thunder and lightning, releasing a LOT of rain! I honestly could not see the fireworks. But, I did see His handiwork in the loud thunder and bright, crashing lightning. His presence was felt even closer that night, to me, than He had felt in a while–almost as if He were right there enjoying the night with me, saying, “Check these fireworks out!” 
That’s my God! The same God that told Noah to build an ark even though Noah’s friends and neighbors thought he was nuts; The same God who covenanted Himself with Abraham, because He knew Abraham could not keep the covenant himself; The same God who parted the Red Sea in an instant; The same God who made the valley of the dry bones shake and turn into a valley of living people; The same God who sent forth His Son, so that we would have eternal life with Him; The same God who promises that He will always be with us; The same God who is now seated on high–yes, that is my God, and He is right there with me on this cobbled road, pointing ahead of our pathway, saying, “Adam, this is where I’m sending you. Have faith.”
So, while I still don’t know when I’ll reach that mile-marker “100%,” I know that in the mean time I’m walking this road with my God, and there’s nothing sweeter than that!
When I do get to that mile-marker, and purchase the plane ticket, and fly to Ukraine to begin three years of work for His kingdom, I know that the “road” will not stop, but a new road will begin, and He will, as promised, be right there with me, as He is with you, on whatever road He is walking you down right now.
Brothers and sisters, I thank each one of you are let’s me know on a regular basis that are are praying! I do feel that! I also thank each and every one of you who has responded sacrificially, and is walking along this road with me through your financial giving! I know that you will all be going with me on the new road, the road IN Ukraine, and for that I’m very thankful!
Thank you for running the race with me! May we never grow weary! 
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and grow weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” -Isaiah 40.28-31
Waiting on the Lord with you,
Adam
