In August, I had the privilege of participating in a retreat for leaders of theological schools with whom Mesa Global (formerly Overseas Council and United World Mission) partners in Ukraine. On the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, these brave leaders recognized that—amid the dire realities of war—the divine compulsion to love their neighbours had suddenly displaced the normal aims and activities of their institutions. A network of refugee relief quickly formed and sprang into action, enabled by generous donations through UWM’s Ukraine Refugees project, sustained by faith and prayer.
Eighteen months later, these leaders and their spouses gathered in a remote area of the Carpathian Mountains for a five-day Retreat ‘Rest, Reflection, and Renewal for Weary Leaders’. The setting was serene, seemingly untouched by the ravages of full-scale war, an ideal location for rest, with the hope of a few nights’ sleep uninterrupted by sirens and the urgent hurry to seek shelter.
But the signs of war were visible everywhere: in the dull wash of weariness on every valiant face, in the flame of dignity sputtering defiantly against the gale of trauma in each pair of eyes, in the habituated steady move to silence the air raid app sounding on their mobiles, in the daily commitment to grieve in silence those lost that day.
‘Where are you in the midst of this, Lord?’
This question has forced itself on our brothers and sisters, and on us as we prepared for the retreat and now walk with them for a few days. Daily reflections draw us to consider this question through the experience of Jesus’s companions as they walked through trauma. ‘Where are you, Lord, in our disorientation, our lament, our doubt, our betrayal, and in this dangerous world?’
We are present not to offer easy answers, but to listen, to validate, and to offer questions. Our Lord himself poses questions to those in trauma. Answers come more often in the bewildered trust of love than in clearly articulated propositions.
And this is what we heard. As Taras Dyatlik, the theological education consultant for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, wrote afterward,
"We value and thank you for embracing uncertainty with us and your ministry of presence amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine and for refusing to resort to quick fixes amidst the complexities we live in during the ongoing war. Your focus on presence and compassion has guided us to a deeper understanding of these complexities.
We value and thank you for your patience and understanding during our so slow healing journey with your validation. The war has unleashed a myriad of emotions and challenges inside and around us. Through your ministry of presence, you've provided a safe space for us to express and navigate these complex emotions. Your validation of our experiences and emotions has been incredibly comforting and helped us to be set on a narrow path toward healing and recovery, although we move on with ‘mosquito steps.’
Your ministry of presence has reassured us of God's wisdom and strength, encouraging us to rely on Him and each other as the Community of Hope amidst the chaos of war. Your understanding has comforted us and inspired us to extend the same understanding and compassion to others."
Looking back on that week, I see Mesa Global’s values enacted, values we treasure not so much because we champion them but because the Spirit has formed them in us. We are committed to community: we love our brothers and sisters, and we want to serve them, nurturing them and valuing their interests before ours. And we seek God first; indeed, that was the whole week’s joint quest, walking with each other into our Lord’s presence.
Yes, we are equipping servant leaders—and they, in turn, will offer this retreat to others—but it is the distinct quality of the Spirit’s breath in this week for which I most give God thanks. May that love and service and flicker of hope spread outward as our beloved co-workers return valiantly to continue loving their neighbours and preparing leaders for God’s church.
Peace,
Ernest
Director of Global Training at Mesa Global
Stories from the Field
