My bed with stuff to be put away... yes, there are many cords as well as a pack of Oreos! :) 
Thursday, August 31, 2006
One more...
My bed with stuff to be put away... yes, there are many cords as well as a pack of Oreos! :)
Pics from today
Our Bathroom with the pretty fish toilet seat cover!
Me by the entrance sign.
One of the areas in Kiev rebuilt by the Germans after WWII.
And, Sarah and I after enjoying our ice cream and coffee on Kreshatick Street!
Me by the entrance sign.
One of the areas in Kiev rebuilt by the Germans after WWII.
And, Sarah and I after enjoying our ice cream and coffee on Kreshatick Street!
It's REAL!
“When you talk about it, it’s a dream. When you start to envision things, it gets exciting. When you make a plan, it’s possible… but when you Do it, it’s REAL!” -Anthony Robbins
I had this quote written on a sticky note by the side of my computer at home for the past several months. I wanted to share it, because so often we think about doing something, we even dream of it, but then don't take steps to see it through. On Monday when Sarah and I left for Ukraine it seemed sureal, in part because we've talk of this since May of 2005. In fact, I've dreamed of this since my first visit to Ukraine in 1993. I am so thankful that God provided the opportunity and gave us the courage to step through the open door and brought us here today!
Today Sarah and I had a chance to spend the afternoon walking down Kreshatick Street after having lunch with old and new friends at UCCC. (Ukrainian Center for Christian Cooperation) We finalized details for the team coming from Calvary Church tomorrow and began making plans for our upcoming stay today. With map in hand, we ventured out onto the subway and even managed to get back to our apartment via subway and mashrutka (public transportation van made to hold about 16 people, but usually packed with at least 30!
I’ve included pictures today of me by the Kiev Christian University Entrance Sign, a photo of Sarah and I enjoying ice cream and coffee, as well as a glimpse of our apartment which we have both commented already feels like home. We have a little more unpacking to do, but all is coming together nicely.
Victor, Lena and so many others have been incredibly accommodating and welcoming to us. We are VERY excited to greet the team tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for their safety in travel. Also, we are working on our schedules more tomorrow, so please pray that God will give each of us wisdom as we determine how ministries will fit together and coincide with each of our schedules.
Today was a beautiful fall day in Kiev. I am so blessed to be here. We are meeting a few new students at the university each day. It will be interesting to see who God brings across our path and the many lessons we will learn through this adventure. Thank you again for your prayer and financial support.
Building His Kingdom together…
I had this quote written on a sticky note by the side of my computer at home for the past several months. I wanted to share it, because so often we think about doing something, we even dream of it, but then don't take steps to see it through. On Monday when Sarah and I left for Ukraine it seemed sureal, in part because we've talk of this since May of 2005. In fact, I've dreamed of this since my first visit to Ukraine in 1993. I am so thankful that God provided the opportunity and gave us the courage to step through the open door and brought us here today!
Today Sarah and I had a chance to spend the afternoon walking down Kreshatick Street after having lunch with old and new friends at UCCC. (Ukrainian Center for Christian Cooperation) We finalized details for the team coming from Calvary Church tomorrow and began making plans for our upcoming stay today. With map in hand, we ventured out onto the subway and even managed to get back to our apartment via subway and mashrutka (public transportation van made to hold about 16 people, but usually packed with at least 30!
I’ve included pictures today of me by the Kiev Christian University Entrance Sign, a photo of Sarah and I enjoying ice cream and coffee, as well as a glimpse of our apartment which we have both commented already feels like home. We have a little more unpacking to do, but all is coming together nicely.
Victor, Lena and so many others have been incredibly accommodating and welcoming to us. We are VERY excited to greet the team tomorrow afternoon. Please pray for their safety in travel. Also, we are working on our schedules more tomorrow, so please pray that God will give each of us wisdom as we determine how ministries will fit together and coincide with each of our schedules.
Today was a beautiful fall day in Kiev. I am so blessed to be here. We are meeting a few new students at the university each day. It will be interesting to see who God brings across our path and the many lessons we will learn through this adventure. Thank you again for your prayer and financial support.
Building His Kingdom together…
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
FIrst Day
Initially, let me say that I promise to try and not be this wordy in every blog that I write, so you will not always have to block out 15 minutes of your day to stay updated! Good news, I’m sure!!!
I am SO appreciative for the many people who helped me get on the plane – literally. For my mom and dad who were at my house almost the entire weekend helping with last minute details, for Toots, Tracy, Eileen and Anita who helped clean out my kitchen and literally packed all of my stuff! (Thanks for the notes guys!) And, to Josh who helped get my backyard under control and close my pool with my dad! Also, for Dan and Michelle who helped wrap up some stuff at church and just being so incredibly supportive. And for many, many others who have prayed for us and continue to pray! I cannot say thank you enough.
Sorry there are not pictures yet, I had really good intentions, but our bags were packed bursting, literally to the seams – one of my bags arrived open in Ukraine – something I have always feared, but so far, I think everything stayed in it… we’ll see as I figure out if anything is missing as I unpack all of my stuff. And, even our carry ons were packed to the seams, so it was difficult enough pulling them through the airport, let alone taking pictures along the way…
We had a chance to relax a little yesterday afternoon after we arrived. Our apartment is great! Just what we expected. It is a small, studio with a bathroom, small kitchenette. We both laid down just before Victor was going to pick us up for dinner and a couple of stops – probably a bad idea! I think the last thing I said was, don’t fall asleep Sarah J Next thing we know, Victor is calling us on the telephone because when he knocked on the door and yelled out our names we didn’t answer! Ha! He went back down to the guard/front desk and asked if we were in!
A good lesson in clarifying what we hear… yesterday, Victor’s brother in law, Sasha, picked us up from the airport and then drove us to Kiev Christian University. While on the phone with Victor, I thought he asked us to pray for Sasha (I assumed his son) and transportation. HA HA HA!!! What he really said was pay Sasha – the driver – for transportation. Hmmm. Pray or pay. One letter, huge difference! Thankfully that night I asked how everything turned out for Sasha and transportation. We all laughed, and I paid Sasha for driving us!
We ran our errands, got the itinerary set for the team arriving on Friday and ate dinner. This morning I woke up with perhaps the worst headache I’ve ever had in my life, but I am happy to report that after 3 very large cups of coffee, about 2 gallons of water and a 24 hour sinus tablet, it has been managed down to a dull pound so that I am coherent enough to write this blog! I think I am recovering from travel and fighting a head cold.
So, for about the past year I’ve been thinking about what makes God smile, and the contrary, what makes God weep? Last night we were driving by the Ukrainian Parliament building with Victor and I asked how Ukraine was doing politically… In a nutshell, it’s a mess. The President that they elected 2 years ago during their Orange Revolution (which was a peaceful demonstration) has allowed many former Communists come back into places of great influence. During their election earlier this year, they elected the guy who ran against the current president as their Prime Minister. So, imagine Al Gore and President Bush running the US together… that gives you a pretty good picture. Victor also told us that he read earlier that day that Russia is outlawing the preaching of the Gospel. I need to verify this later…
All this to say, when I began coming to Ukraine in 1993 we didn’t know how long freedom to speak of Jesus would last. It’s interesting that even now, 13 years later, the same concern continues. My passion for this part of the world came from an open window that may close…it makes me so sad that it may close in my lifetime. But, at the same time, confirms my decision to come here for 4 ½ months. And, it brings me back to my questions about what makes God smile and what makes Him sad? I am convinced that His emotion is not based on outward circumstances. History has shown incredible spread of the gospel in ‘closed’ countries. Instead, He may focus on how did we, the global church, take advantage of the opportunity to come into a country such as Ukraine and evangelize while we have/had the chance. May we all hear ‘Well done my good and faithful servant’ and may we learn from the mistakes of our past and others.
Thank you for your prayers! Sarah and I had a very smooth trip here. Security all over the world is notably heightened due to recent events. The only glitch was actually a gift for me! When we were leaving Detroit to come to Amsterdam we returned to the gate because we had someone’s luggage that was not on the flight. Since 9/11 planes will not travel with luggage of someone not on board because of heightened security. So, I had the opportunity to call my niece and say goodbye. I couldn’t reach her previously! J Sarah has one bag that didn’t arrive, but the airline delivered it later that same day!
Please pray with me for the following:
We have a team of 6 that leaves the states on Thursday. Please pray for their safety in travel and for ease of travel. There are 3 adults and 3 kids! We are excited to have them serve with us in Ukraine.
For our health as we stay here.
That we would be sensitive to God’s leading in how to serve here. There are so many opportunities. We want to accomplish God’s agenda while we are here, not our own.
For our schedule. This goes in line with the previous request. The University schedule and our Russian classes are still to be finalized.
I cannot begin to explain how much I feel your prayers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Philippians 1:3-6 from The Message:
“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”
I am SO appreciative for the many people who helped me get on the plane – literally. For my mom and dad who were at my house almost the entire weekend helping with last minute details, for Toots, Tracy, Eileen and Anita who helped clean out my kitchen and literally packed all of my stuff! (Thanks for the notes guys!) And, to Josh who helped get my backyard under control and close my pool with my dad! Also, for Dan and Michelle who helped wrap up some stuff at church and just being so incredibly supportive. And for many, many others who have prayed for us and continue to pray! I cannot say thank you enough.
Sorry there are not pictures yet, I had really good intentions, but our bags were packed bursting, literally to the seams – one of my bags arrived open in Ukraine – something I have always feared, but so far, I think everything stayed in it… we’ll see as I figure out if anything is missing as I unpack all of my stuff. And, even our carry ons were packed to the seams, so it was difficult enough pulling them through the airport, let alone taking pictures along the way…
We had a chance to relax a little yesterday afternoon after we arrived. Our apartment is great! Just what we expected. It is a small, studio with a bathroom, small kitchenette. We both laid down just before Victor was going to pick us up for dinner and a couple of stops – probably a bad idea! I think the last thing I said was, don’t fall asleep Sarah J Next thing we know, Victor is calling us on the telephone because when he knocked on the door and yelled out our names we didn’t answer! Ha! He went back down to the guard/front desk and asked if we were in!
A good lesson in clarifying what we hear… yesterday, Victor’s brother in law, Sasha, picked us up from the airport and then drove us to Kiev Christian University. While on the phone with Victor, I thought he asked us to pray for Sasha (I assumed his son) and transportation. HA HA HA!!! What he really said was pay Sasha – the driver – for transportation. Hmmm. Pray or pay. One letter, huge difference! Thankfully that night I asked how everything turned out for Sasha and transportation. We all laughed, and I paid Sasha for driving us!
We ran our errands, got the itinerary set for the team arriving on Friday and ate dinner. This morning I woke up with perhaps the worst headache I’ve ever had in my life, but I am happy to report that after 3 very large cups of coffee, about 2 gallons of water and a 24 hour sinus tablet, it has been managed down to a dull pound so that I am coherent enough to write this blog! I think I am recovering from travel and fighting a head cold.
So, for about the past year I’ve been thinking about what makes God smile, and the contrary, what makes God weep? Last night we were driving by the Ukrainian Parliament building with Victor and I asked how Ukraine was doing politically… In a nutshell, it’s a mess. The President that they elected 2 years ago during their Orange Revolution (which was a peaceful demonstration) has allowed many former Communists come back into places of great influence. During their election earlier this year, they elected the guy who ran against the current president as their Prime Minister. So, imagine Al Gore and President Bush running the US together… that gives you a pretty good picture. Victor also told us that he read earlier that day that Russia is outlawing the preaching of the Gospel. I need to verify this later…
All this to say, when I began coming to Ukraine in 1993 we didn’t know how long freedom to speak of Jesus would last. It’s interesting that even now, 13 years later, the same concern continues. My passion for this part of the world came from an open window that may close…it makes me so sad that it may close in my lifetime. But, at the same time, confirms my decision to come here for 4 ½ months. And, it brings me back to my questions about what makes God smile and what makes Him sad? I am convinced that His emotion is not based on outward circumstances. History has shown incredible spread of the gospel in ‘closed’ countries. Instead, He may focus on how did we, the global church, take advantage of the opportunity to come into a country such as Ukraine and evangelize while we have/had the chance. May we all hear ‘Well done my good and faithful servant’ and may we learn from the mistakes of our past and others.
Thank you for your prayers! Sarah and I had a very smooth trip here. Security all over the world is notably heightened due to recent events. The only glitch was actually a gift for me! When we were leaving Detroit to come to Amsterdam we returned to the gate because we had someone’s luggage that was not on the flight. Since 9/11 planes will not travel with luggage of someone not on board because of heightened security. So, I had the opportunity to call my niece and say goodbye. I couldn’t reach her previously! J Sarah has one bag that didn’t arrive, but the airline delivered it later that same day!
Please pray with me for the following:
We have a team of 6 that leaves the states on Thursday. Please pray for their safety in travel and for ease of travel. There are 3 adults and 3 kids! We are excited to have them serve with us in Ukraine.
For our health as we stay here.
That we would be sensitive to God’s leading in how to serve here. There are so many opportunities. We want to accomplish God’s agenda while we are here, not our own.
For our schedule. This goes in line with the previous request. The University schedule and our Russian classes are still to be finalized.
I cannot begin to explain how much I feel your prayers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Philippians 1:3-6 from The Message:
“Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”
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