Castle in Berezhany, Ukraine

The town of Berezhany began around 1540 when this Austrian castle was built upon an island (some say made of gold) along the Zolota Niper River.

Something so big and grand, was left to crumble and deteriorate back into the land in which it began.

How many peasants lost their lives for the sake of building this grande structure for the Lord of this castle?

At one time, this area of the Ukraine was a “pearl”–farming, mining, and trade routes provided a high value in the eyes of the Austrian kingdom.  Yet, its strength became its undoing when the center of Austrian power moved westward while the strength of this town needed to  recede.

As we prepared to leave this modest town of Western Ukraine I felt sad knowing it is unlikely I will ever return.  It is not that I don’t want to return, it is just a very difficult and expensive journey.   Few townspeople speak anything other than Ukrainian; I’m just “another person trying to discover ancestors”; and most importantly, there are no records, no gravestones or markers, and no current residents with any one of three familial names I’m hoping to find.

When hope is difficult to find we tend to look to God for answers and help in our time of need.  The people in this part of the Ukraine (Ternopil region) are not an exception to this “rule”.  Churches appear above most of the other buildings.  They are central to each town and small village.  Though I look up each time I see one of the tall church domes or hear a bell chime, does this act become routine?

Life seems simpler here…not easier, just less complicated.  Does it just appear simpler because it is not my routine?  Am I lucky because I have so much or are they lucky because life is less cluttered?  Would either of us trade places?

In the restaurant, everyone seemed to know everyone else.  They also knew I was a stranger looking for answers to questions about my ancestors.  Looking around and spending time here, I have more questions now than I did before I arrived.  Why did they leave?  Was anyone left behind?  What did they do when they lived here?  Were they a part of any military actions?  Did starvation and hardship play a part in their decision to leave, or was it simply “opportunity calling?”  I also wonder now if the family names I’m searching for are authentic and accurate or are these used to shield themselves and family members left behind from being persecuted?

God is the only answer to so many of my questions.  His perspective, His ways, His mind are not ours.  Trusting in Him is all I need to do.  He is everywhere I look.  He is all that I need.

Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.”