Monday, 14 May 2007 – We finished up the topic on dysfunctional families. I see how this topic is one of the foundational ones for helping in the process of healing. When a person realizes what they missed and how it affected them, their denial becomes shaken. They have the decision to continue in denial or to face the truth. When denial is broken the work is half done. In my book, the breaking of denial is one of the hardest things to see happen. So when it does, I rejoice.

Tuesday 15 May 2007 – Sergey taught on trauma at the male rehab center. It was a time of many questions and comments as they tried to understand their own life and the process that led them to be a client at a rehab center.
The guys there are opening up more and more to us. We met with one of the leaders who is dealing with his own issues. It was hard for me, because he does not see things clearly. It is not my job to force him to see it. I know that it is all about timing. This is something that I am learning to let it be. I am not there to fix him that is God's job. I am there to assist in the process and not to take it to a place where the person is not ready to go.

We went to the mom's meeting in the evening to finish up the topic of dysfunctional families. This time around there were questions coming left and right. Sergey was not able to present all the material he had prepared to give. This was not a problem. The more interaction we can have on the topic with the listeners, the more we are able to understand how well they understand the topic.

Wednesday 16 May 2007 – I have been asked to mentor a young guy in local ministry. He is one of the teachers in his church and he leads several groups too. I see it as an honor to be able to feed into another person's life. We had our first meeting today. I will meet with him again next week, and then we will start back up after I come back from the States.

Thursday 17 May 2007 – Today was a great example of how something simple can turn complicated. We planned to have a barbeque with the street kids. It went fine, but we had a problem with the grill. We used choral coal on the grill and half way through they died and the fuel ran out. I had half cooked meat on the grill and hungry kids. We worked it out, praise God. Overall, it was a good time of fellowship and fun. I feel bad about the grill, because I was in charge. I know that I rushed the process and that is why they went out.

Friday, 18 May 2007 – Today the team with to the outpatient rehab center. Larissa taught on codependency. I was not there, but I heard that it was a great time of teaching and discussion. I leaving outreach at 8 weeks, but there are two more people who are going on to do the full 12 weeks, Larissa and Sergey.
Today was my last day for IBC (Introduction to Biblical Counseling) outreach. So I met with my leader for final evaluation. It went well. I see how God has grown me. He has brought healing, understanding, and peace in my life as I have been serving others. For me the most important thing I walk way with from outreach is my confidence in my ability to listen, to hear clearly, and to respond correctly on how God lead me in ministry. This may sound funny, but what I have learned is that my job is to listen to others, ask God how to help, and to employ what he tells me. I have seen God get to the heart of the matter and bring healing in the life of people, because he said something to me that I did not make complete sense me, but had meaning to the other person to help him surrender his issue to God.
In the evening we met together as a team for dinning and reflection. It was good to have one more chance to be together as a team. This was the best outreach I have even done. I enjoyed the leaders, Sharon and Claire. I love the other students, Sergey, Marianna, and Larissa. They all helped me to grow personally, spiritually, and professionally. Thank you guys.

After next week, I will be traveling to California. I will be sharing about what God is doing there. And then I will come back at the end of June to start ABC (Addictive Behavior Counseling) outreach. This will be my last outreach for the year. I am planning to work full time with the counseling ministry here at YWAM Kiev starting in September, but I will have to wait to see.