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.”