Originally from Lambertsville, Michigan, Josh spent three years as a volunteer in Albania and Kosovo, then two years as a missionary in Russia. Robyn, a former elementary school teacher, is from Redlands, California. The couple served as youth pastors at Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene in Waterford, Michigan, before accepting their current assignment. Now, they live in Kiev, Ukraine, where they are focusing on language study.

Holiness Today asked Josh and Robyn to share thoughts and feelings on what it is like to be new missionaries.

Entry #1: It's time to go! February 5, 2009. We received word from World Mission that we are released to go to Kiev, Ukraine. God has been faithful with the timing and details. As we pack we reminisce over wedding gifts (some not yet even used), photos, books, clothes, and supplies to bring. It is emotionally taxing to condense all that we own down to a few suitcases.

We leave behind family and friends, careers to which we may never return, and familiar comforts. In Josh's father's barn in Michigan, we store boxes of belongings. Now, with great expectation, we step out into God's future for us!

Entry #2: Where's the red carpet? Arrived in Kiev, Ukraine, today. To us, the airport was busy, the language foreign, the signs confusing, the customs officials not too polite. Reality has set in.

We assumed that upon our arrival, we would be met with a celebration of sorts, maybe a gathering of missionaries and church leaders. Perhaps a small parade and a band? None of the above! A Ukrainian brother, Kolya, met us at the airport with fellow missionary Trino Jara in tow, and then dropped us off at our apartment.

Journal entry #3: This is a busy place. We feel welcomed but now understand why there was no mass celebration upon our arrival. Five full-time Nazarene missionaries in Ukraine (about the size of Texas) share ministry responsibilities. Much time is spent in training pastors, planning church starts, organizing short- and long-term ministry teams, renovating buildings and purchasing new ones, leading Bible studies, and more.

Pastors and ministry directors lead churches, children's clubs, and rehab centers along with working second and third jobs to provide for their families. What a wonderful place to be knowing that God is at work here!

For us, the question remains as to how we fit in here. It would be easy to begin to work-there is plenty to be done. But, we want to accomplish God's purpose and plan.

Journal entry #4: Language Study. Our official job description is language study. Clearly, we will have to prioritize to preserve this time for study. Opportunities arise for us to get involved in the immediate needs of the field. These offers are tempting because somehow they would give legitimacy as to why we are here. How will we be effective in communicating with the Ukrainian people if we do not master their language and culture? How will we communicate Christ's love in spoken word if we do not invest the time now for the payoffs that will come in the future?

Journal Entry #5: Setting up. Our apartment is simple. Nice. It is a Soviet-era, three-room flat with a little kitchen on the first floor of a nine-story building. The central heat is turned on October 15 and turned off on April 15, regardless of the outdoor temperature. We have no thermostat controls in our home, so the heat is on when it is on, and off when it is off. Usually, our flat is very warm so we open the windows to control the temperature.

We needed a table and chairs. A missionary told us of a store in the area. Praying that the salesperson understood our information, we muddled through the process of ordering in another language.

We received the table and chairs we had ordered. Praise the Lord! Our apartment floors were bare. The best place to buy area rugs is at the large open-air market. We found the bus that would take us there. Upon arrival, we made our way through the busy stalls while trying to look inconspicuous, to blend in with the crowds. We looked at carpet after carpet, deciding on three rugs that would make our apartment feel like home. Bartering back and forth with the owner of the stall, we finally agreed on a price.

Now, we now have a table and chairs to entertain neighbors and friends, and area rugs on the floor.

Journal Entry #6: Everyday living. We live about 30 minutes north of the city center via the efficient underground metro. Kiev, with its 4 million inhabitants, is laid out well with adequate above ground transportation in the form of buses and vans. We do not own a car, so we travel by public transportation exclusively.

We are learning how to deal with the (over) crowded transportation system, which becomes quite taxing when carrying groceries and other necessary items.

Entry #6 Making Connections. Today we were reminded of our connections. The many churches we visited and friendships we gained previously have left their mark in our memories. These people will be alongside us as they pray for the work that God is doing in Ukraine and throughout the CIS Field.

One of these connections has turned into a friendship here. A year ago a friend wrote, "My mother- and father-in-law, Richard and Vicki Nelson, are involved with a medical and dental ministry in Ukraine." It was a great experience to spend the afternoon with the Nelsons and to hear about their hearts for Ukraine. This gave us a perspective as to what other Christian groups are doing here.

Journal Entry #7 Our First experience with the Nazarene work. It is Ukraine District assembly time. We were asked to ride the train with the delegation from Kiev down to Vinnitsa.

The early morning train ride with our group of 15 was quiet. We were a little anxious as we did not know anyone in the group very well, did not know where we were going exactly, and did not know where we would sleep that night.

The first day of meetings was an awesome experience. We participated in worship as best we could and listened to the pastors' reports not understanding much of what was being said but understanding clearly the Spirit in which it was being communicated.

We met Roma, a former drug addict and now pastor of the Vinnitsa church. Vova, former atheist and pastor of a Kiev church. Svetlana, a woman with some physical challenges who thought she could never lead a church (first because she was a woman, and second, because of her challenges), pastor of a Kiev church.

Just as suddenly as they begun, the two days ended. We returned to Kiev by train with the same group. We talked together, shared a meal, and celebrated new friendships that will continue, we hope, into a long, fruitful ministry.

With even greater expectation, we step out into God's future!

Follow Josh and Robyn Allen's blog at joshrobynrussia.blogspot.com.

*Commonwealth of Independent States.

Holiness Today, May/June 2009