In case anyone is checking in on this site from places abroad our team is home and safe!
Our flight from Ukraine to home took us through Warsaw Poland and the team spent the day with Leszek, Luke and Paulina Wakula in Warsaw. Thank you so much to the Wakula family for being such gracious hosts! We had a wonderful time and it was great to get to know you and see a little piece of your home land!
I am sorry we were unable to spend more time there than we did but we learned a tremendous amount Poland, World War II and the history of the great land of Poland. We have so many polish friends and family in the Grand Rapids area it is nice to be able to say we saw a little bit of their heritage.
Our luggage didn't arrive with us. Apparently when Lot Polish Airlines reviewed our reservation the flight from Chicago to Grand Rapids was looked up incorrectly and I did not catch it. My apologies to the team. Our luggage therefore arrived about 11pm EDT (which is 5am in Poland). Needless to say, it was a LONG day Tuesday!
Love you all and God willing we hope to see you all again soon!
The Ukraine 2009 Family Team
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Last day - Church Picnic!
LAST DAY IN UKRAINE!!!
GOOD BYE (Das Vadanya) our friends!!
We had a church picnic yesterday in the park by the black sea and it was wonderful. Both food and fellowship were excellent and there was an excellent challenge by Steve Gibson to the local church regarding church leadership and respect for authority. As is to be expected, churches all over the world face many of the same struggles we face at home.
It is often joked that if it wasn't for all these sinners the church would be perfect. Praise God he has forgiven all of us as sinners!
I am posting this from our hotel in Poland. We traveled from Ukraine today to Poland and Leszek Wakula and family met us at the airport. They are staying with us tonight and tomorrow so that we can see Warsaw and learn a bit about their life as well. Poland is remarkably different from Odessa considering it is only a two hour flight away.
On our way out in the morning we passed a woman walking her goats just around the corner from the seminary. Not something you see every day in Grand Rapids Michigan.
They are just starting to begin to improve public spaces in Odessa. Areas with flowers and grass are very rare and the locals were very proud that they had reached a point where public spaces are being improved.
Yes, there are VERY wealthy people here in Odessa. The people are not poor here by any means. Their lifestyle has improved dramatically over the years. That said, there are still some with considerably more and they flaunt it. I don't think I've ever seen a Maserati in Grand Rapids. It really surprised us to see one in Odessa.
Friday night we went out to eat with our entire team and some of the locally based missionaries. A good time was had by all. It is nice once in a while to get a meal "out". We have so much in common with the missionaries here it is nice to have food we consider "normal" even though the food in Ukraine was very good. All of us agree we came to Ukraine expecting to lose weight and we'll have to go on a diet when we get home because we have had so much good food to eat!
The girls, as you can see, have become very close. Considering that these girls didn't even know eachother before we began meeting with our team it is exciting to see them together.
I mentioned earlier that there are rich people here. On the way to the park where the church picnic was to take place we went by TONS of them. They have very large suburban neighborhoods here just like at home. In fact, these houses are larger than most of the large "wealthy" developments in Grand Rapids. They still have above ground utilities (including water) though. This seems very odd to those of us from the west.
Not sure of this is a place of worship or just some mammoth house but it is spectucular. It was in the neighborhood with the large homes.
Here is a picture of Denise in her element. She carries two cell phones so as to have one on each of the two major carriers in the area. From what I understand, this insures that cell to cell calls from most of the church members are free.
A church member helping grill the meat for the festivities!
We played a new game with the church on Saturday that is a DEFINITE game we need to play at MSM. Kind of like keep away, someone starts in the middle and people volley the ball back and forth. If anyone makes a mistake, the join the people in the middle. If anyone goofs bad enough that someone on the inside can catch the ball -- everyone is released from the center and the last person to hit the ball assumes the center position. It is not only fun, but easy to figure out!
Here's a picture of the incredible spread the locals prepared for us. The camp site was basically a dry grassy area in the trees within walking distance (but not sight) of the black sea. It reminds me a bit of what a tent camp site would have been for us years ago.
There are churches in the area that have purchased a private "camp" area together and use it. It is similar to the early days of Gull Lake Bible Conference or Maranatha I think. Small little cottages and some people in tents.
After prayer we got to dig in. The food was AWESOME. They had roast PORK. Thank you Ray (a seminary teacher/missionary) for preparing the barbecue. It was excellent!
After dinner Steve Gibson gave the church a message from the heart. He talked specifically about church leadership and submission to authority. The message was clear and concise and all of us could learn from him on this subject.
After the wonderful time with the church at the picnic and service we walked down to the beach for a last dip in the Black Sea.
After a good swim it was time to say goodbye to the believers at the beach. We are so thankful for the many people we now know at the church! We love you all!
The Sunset is beautiful in Odessa. This was our last Sunset!
Because we left the church earlier in the week somewhat a mess we wanted to go clean up and get the church ready for Sunday AM services. It also gave us a final chance to spend a little time with the leaders of the church here.
I am not sure that I've ever been thankful for being able to scrub a floor before but this week was a time for firsts.
Thank you all for praying for us this 10 days in Odessa. We asked that God would work through us and also that we would see his presence and identify his work in progress through the people here and through us. God has certainly provided that assurance.
We miss you all and are thankful for your support and prayers. God has blessed us all this week and we appreciate your prayers as we spend a day in Poland prior to the long flight home. Thank you again!
Love the Ukraine Family Team.
GOOD BYE (Das Vadanya) our friends!!
We had a church picnic yesterday in the park by the black sea and it was wonderful. Both food and fellowship were excellent and there was an excellent challenge by Steve Gibson to the local church regarding church leadership and respect for authority. As is to be expected, churches all over the world face many of the same struggles we face at home.
It is often joked that if it wasn't for all these sinners the church would be perfect. Praise God he has forgiven all of us as sinners!
I am posting this from our hotel in Poland. We traveled from Ukraine today to Poland and Leszek Wakula and family met us at the airport. They are staying with us tonight and tomorrow so that we can see Warsaw and learn a bit about their life as well. Poland is remarkably different from Odessa considering it is only a two hour flight away.
On our way out in the morning we passed a woman walking her goats just around the corner from the seminary. Not something you see every day in Grand Rapids Michigan.
They are just starting to begin to improve public spaces in Odessa. Areas with flowers and grass are very rare and the locals were very proud that they had reached a point where public spaces are being improved.
Yes, there are VERY wealthy people here in Odessa. The people are not poor here by any means. Their lifestyle has improved dramatically over the years. That said, there are still some with considerably more and they flaunt it. I don't think I've ever seen a Maserati in Grand Rapids. It really surprised us to see one in Odessa.
Friday night we went out to eat with our entire team and some of the locally based missionaries. A good time was had by all. It is nice once in a while to get a meal "out". We have so much in common with the missionaries here it is nice to have food we consider "normal" even though the food in Ukraine was very good. All of us agree we came to Ukraine expecting to lose weight and we'll have to go on a diet when we get home because we have had so much good food to eat!
The girls, as you can see, have become very close. Considering that these girls didn't even know eachother before we began meeting with our team it is exciting to see them together.
I mentioned earlier that there are rich people here. On the way to the park where the church picnic was to take place we went by TONS of them. They have very large suburban neighborhoods here just like at home. In fact, these houses are larger than most of the large "wealthy" developments in Grand Rapids. They still have above ground utilities (including water) though. This seems very odd to those of us from the west.
Not sure of this is a place of worship or just some mammoth house but it is spectucular. It was in the neighborhood with the large homes.
Here is a picture of Denise in her element. She carries two cell phones so as to have one on each of the two major carriers in the area. From what I understand, this insures that cell to cell calls from most of the church members are free.
A church member helping grill the meat for the festivities!
We played a new game with the church on Saturday that is a DEFINITE game we need to play at MSM. Kind of like keep away, someone starts in the middle and people volley the ball back and forth. If anyone makes a mistake, the join the people in the middle. If anyone goofs bad enough that someone on the inside can catch the ball -- everyone is released from the center and the last person to hit the ball assumes the center position. It is not only fun, but easy to figure out!
Here's a picture of the incredible spread the locals prepared for us. The camp site was basically a dry grassy area in the trees within walking distance (but not sight) of the black sea. It reminds me a bit of what a tent camp site would have been for us years ago.
There are churches in the area that have purchased a private "camp" area together and use it. It is similar to the early days of Gull Lake Bible Conference or Maranatha I think. Small little cottages and some people in tents.
After prayer we got to dig in. The food was AWESOME. They had roast PORK. Thank you Ray (a seminary teacher/missionary) for preparing the barbecue. It was excellent!
After dinner Steve Gibson gave the church a message from the heart. He talked specifically about church leadership and submission to authority. The message was clear and concise and all of us could learn from him on this subject.
After the wonderful time with the church at the picnic and service we walked down to the beach for a last dip in the Black Sea.
After a good swim it was time to say goodbye to the believers at the beach. We are so thankful for the many people we now know at the church! We love you all!
The Sunset is beautiful in Odessa. This was our last Sunset!
Because we left the church earlier in the week somewhat a mess we wanted to go clean up and get the church ready for Sunday AM services. It also gave us a final chance to spend a little time with the leaders of the church here. I am not sure that I've ever been thankful for being able to scrub a floor before but this week was a time for firsts.
Thank you all for praying for us this 10 days in Odessa. We asked that God would work through us and also that we would see his presence and identify his work in progress through the people here and through us. God has certainly provided that assurance.
We miss you all and are thankful for your support and prayers. God has blessed us all this week and we appreciate your prayers as we spend a day in Poland prior to the long flight home. Thank you again!
Love the Ukraine Family Team.
Friday, August 14, 2009
More pictures
Friday + Misc Pictures
It is now Saturday and a few people have given me their camera's to pull some additional pictures. Pray today for the team as we are spending most of the day at an all church picnic/outing. We will be there with most of the church (both workers and regular attenders). It is our last day with the local Ukranian believers. Pray it is beneficial to all.
Friday we paid a visit to the Catacombs of Odessa. They are underground mines of limestone from which building materials are pulled to build many of the structures of the area. They have also been used for shelter and protection in times of great distress.
This photo, in particular, had significance to many of us who have been working here. Our tour guide, who was not a christian, explained this photo as "two hands delivering the light" Without the "light" the hands can only deliver darkness but the light can affect the entire area with open hands that deliver it. I am not as eloquent with the interpretation but nearly everyone can understand the biblical application here. Much like the song This Little Light of Mine, sung as children in the USA. The example says "hide it under a bushel, no, I'm going to let it shine".
It was very interesting to see world war 2 weapons sitting around that the Russian soldiers had used fighting the same German army's that we were fighting. It is like looking at the same war from the other side of the front.
Our tour guide was supposed to speak English and when we showed up he was not able to do so. Denise, our van driver, and Mox (a Tajikistan based missionary who happened to be with us this week on occasion) translated and at the same time were able to witness to him. It was a real world (outside of the church) example of Christ's love pouring out of them and humbled many of us in the group. We don't often do the same when we are given the opportunity.
If you want to read more about the significance of the catacombs in World War II you can
read about it here.
We drove past several cemetery areas on the way to the catacombs. Grave plots here are fenced in individually and often have a chair and a table in them. Each year there is a ritual here where people go to the cemetery, clean up the grave site, prepare food etc and sit and talk to the spirits of the dead. This sounded a bit strange until I thought about it. My grandmother does much of the same on Memorial day each year at my father's grave site.
I am thankful to know that my father is not in the grave but is with God in heaven. The example he led in the years I was able to know him produced a legacy that has given me encouragement in my walk throughout my life. He was a very special christian man with a heart for missions. Our house was always the place the missionaries stayed and where we got together when missionairies were in town. I have no doubt that as I got older and we were able we would have traveled to the field just like we are this week.
Things never happen by coincidence. This week we have met missionaries from West Michgan. They are our age. They have kids our children's age. They are even missionaries supported by the church I grew up in. This is both humbling and an encouragement to all of us. We are so thankful to meet each of the people here.
Many know I had at least one child that was not a willing participant in this trip. You need to know that Jordan has gone from unwilling participant to actively working in ministry here this week. In fact yesterday on the van ride back to the seminary he asked if we could come again and even said "I could live here, at least until I hated it". In Jordan speak that is a big move from where he was prior to the trip. His heart has obviously softened for the people and I've seen evidence that it's "not all about him". This is perhaps to me one of the greatest accomplishments of the trip. Jordan, in many ways, has the same internal spirit I have fought with most of my life. Living life for others and not just about "me" is a natural human struggle and only when God works in our lives does that become secondary to sharing Jesus with others.
Ok. More pictures:
Jim and Kristie Hoekwater with Anton. Anton was born in the Urals and is a student in the seminary here.
Anton has been a great encouragement to all of us and we are thankful to have met him. He worked side by side with us throughout the week at VBS.
This photo has Kent and Amy with Anton as well.
Most everyone in the group has become close to Oleg this week.
This is a picture of Steve Gibson with Oleg. Pray for Oleg that he will find the type of occupation that he is passionate about and that will provide a living for himself and (if God provides) his future family. He has a heart for Jesus and currently works nights and volunteers at the church during the day.
He asked me many questions about real estate and income properties and had been reading books on the subject from Donald Trump and Robert Kyosaki. I was fortunate to know specifically what he was talking about and was able to give him a few Dave Ramsey style pointers. Both Donald Trump and Robert Kyosaki are big "borrow your way to wealth" guys. That kind of choices often spell financial disaster and a life of trouble. It has brought Donald Trump to bankruptcy multiple times and cost him several marriages. I am hoping I can get a Dave Ramsey book in Russian and am looking into it. I am thankful that Dave Ramsey teaches fiscal responsibility and a relationship with Jesus Christ. His books have affected me and my choices greatly. I am hoping they could help someone here (including Oleg).
Lena and Margarite' are two of our translaters. They have been with us all week and we are thankful to have been able to get to know them.
This is a picture of Jim with Lena.
Pastor Kamil with Yuri. They are both brothers in Christ and good friends. I mentioned in a previous blog that Yuri had just finished working on their apartment and we were the first guests. Apparently Kamil helped him with this project. It is good to see christian brothers helping eachother.
Two brothers from Islamic countries that made the men's bible study and are returning to their homeland after work at Odessa Theological Seminary. The stories of persecution and trial in these countries have been incredibly moving this week.
More men at our mens night fellowshiping after the sessions.
Some things in the church look the same no matter where you are. Food and church seem to go together everywhere :-)
This is Olga (Yuri's wife) with Anush. Anush (sorry for spelling is wrong) is from Armenia and came as a refugee of the war between Armenia and Ajerbaijan (please excuse spelling, no time to look it up right now). Armenia is a christian nation surrounded by muslim nations and has a history of war due to this fact. The country sits at the cross roads between Asian and Europe and anyone wanting to go anywhere via land seems to overrun Armenia in the process. Pray for the christians in Armenia. I have known several in my life. They are a wonderful people and because the USA has no real interest in the area (and the people want to survive on their own), the country continues to experience significant challenges with it's neighbors.
One last photo to show something I see everywhere that is "different" than at home. What you see here is not power lines. These are plumbing lines. Water lines are often elevated and run from house to house on poles much like we do with power lines. Ukraine appears to bury most power lines and elevate most water lines. I am not quite sure why and find it very different. They are subject to freezing temperatures and pipe bursts due to this arrangement and make for a less reliable system.
Well we are off to prepare for the church picnic. I didn't get to the pictures from dinner last night. I hope to get to them tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers!
It is now Saturday and a few people have given me their camera's to pull some additional pictures. Pray today for the team as we are spending most of the day at an all church picnic/outing. We will be there with most of the church (both workers and regular attenders). It is our last day with the local Ukranian believers. Pray it is beneficial to all.
Friday we paid a visit to the Catacombs of Odessa. They are underground mines of limestone from which building materials are pulled to build many of the structures of the area. They have also been used for shelter and protection in times of great distress.
This photo, in particular, had significance to many of us who have been working here. Our tour guide, who was not a christian, explained this photo as "two hands delivering the light" Without the "light" the hands can only deliver darkness but the light can affect the entire area with open hands that deliver it. I am not as eloquent with the interpretation but nearly everyone can understand the biblical application here. Much like the song This Little Light of Mine, sung as children in the USA. The example says "hide it under a bushel, no, I'm going to let it shine".
It was very interesting to see world war 2 weapons sitting around that the Russian soldiers had used fighting the same German army's that we were fighting. It is like looking at the same war from the other side of the front.
Our tour guide was supposed to speak English and when we showed up he was not able to do so. Denise, our van driver, and Mox (a Tajikistan based missionary who happened to be with us this week on occasion) translated and at the same time were able to witness to him. It was a real world (outside of the church) example of Christ's love pouring out of them and humbled many of us in the group. We don't often do the same when we are given the opportunity.If you want to read more about the significance of the catacombs in World War II you can
read about it here.
We drove past several cemetery areas on the way to the catacombs. Grave plots here are fenced in individually and often have a chair and a table in them. Each year there is a ritual here where people go to the cemetery, clean up the grave site, prepare food etc and sit and talk to the spirits of the dead. This sounded a bit strange until I thought about it. My grandmother does much of the same on Memorial day each year at my father's grave site. I am thankful to know that my father is not in the grave but is with God in heaven. The example he led in the years I was able to know him produced a legacy that has given me encouragement in my walk throughout my life. He was a very special christian man with a heart for missions. Our house was always the place the missionaries stayed and where we got together when missionairies were in town. I have no doubt that as I got older and we were able we would have traveled to the field just like we are this week.
Things never happen by coincidence. This week we have met missionaries from West Michgan. They are our age. They have kids our children's age. They are even missionaries supported by the church I grew up in. This is both humbling and an encouragement to all of us. We are so thankful to meet each of the people here.
Many know I had at least one child that was not a willing participant in this trip. You need to know that Jordan has gone from unwilling participant to actively working in ministry here this week. In fact yesterday on the van ride back to the seminary he asked if we could come again and even said "I could live here, at least until I hated it". In Jordan speak that is a big move from where he was prior to the trip. His heart has obviously softened for the people and I've seen evidence that it's "not all about him". This is perhaps to me one of the greatest accomplishments of the trip. Jordan, in many ways, has the same internal spirit I have fought with most of my life. Living life for others and not just about "me" is a natural human struggle and only when God works in our lives does that become secondary to sharing Jesus with others.
Ok. More pictures:
Jim and Kristie Hoekwater with Anton. Anton was born in the Urals and is a student in the seminary here.
Anton has been a great encouragement to all of us and we are thankful to have met him. He worked side by side with us throughout the week at VBS.
This photo has Kent and Amy with Anton as well.
Most everyone in the group has become close to Oleg this week.
This is a picture of Steve Gibson with Oleg. Pray for Oleg that he will find the type of occupation that he is passionate about and that will provide a living for himself and (if God provides) his future family. He has a heart for Jesus and currently works nights and volunteers at the church during the day.
He asked me many questions about real estate and income properties and had been reading books on the subject from Donald Trump and Robert Kyosaki. I was fortunate to know specifically what he was talking about and was able to give him a few Dave Ramsey style pointers. Both Donald Trump and Robert Kyosaki are big "borrow your way to wealth" guys. That kind of choices often spell financial disaster and a life of trouble. It has brought Donald Trump to bankruptcy multiple times and cost him several marriages. I am hoping I can get a Dave Ramsey book in Russian and am looking into it. I am thankful that Dave Ramsey teaches fiscal responsibility and a relationship with Jesus Christ. His books have affected me and my choices greatly. I am hoping they could help someone here (including Oleg).
Lena and Margarite' are two of our translaters. They have been with us all week and we are thankful to have been able to get to know them.
This is a picture of Jim with Lena.
Pastor Kamil with Yuri. They are both brothers in Christ and good friends. I mentioned in a previous blog that Yuri had just finished working on their apartment and we were the first guests. Apparently Kamil helped him with this project. It is good to see christian brothers helping eachother.
Two brothers from Islamic countries that made the men's bible study and are returning to their homeland after work at Odessa Theological Seminary. The stories of persecution and trial in these countries have been incredibly moving this week.
More men at our mens night fellowshiping after the sessions.
Some things in the church look the same no matter where you are. Food and church seem to go together everywhere :-)
This is Olga (Yuri's wife) with Anush. Anush (sorry for spelling is wrong) is from Armenia and came as a refugee of the war between Armenia and Ajerbaijan (please excuse spelling, no time to look it up right now). Armenia is a christian nation surrounded by muslim nations and has a history of war due to this fact. The country sits at the cross roads between Asian and Europe and anyone wanting to go anywhere via land seems to overrun Armenia in the process. Pray for the christians in Armenia. I have known several in my life. They are a wonderful people and because the USA has no real interest in the area (and the people want to survive on their own), the country continues to experience significant challenges with it's neighbors.
One last photo to show something I see everywhere that is "different" than at home. What you see here is not power lines. These are plumbing lines. Water lines are often elevated and run from house to house on poles much like we do with power lines. Ukraine appears to bury most power lines and elevate most water lines. I am not quite sure why and find it very different. They are subject to freezing temperatures and pipe bursts due to this arrangement and make for a less reliable system.Well we are off to prepare for the church picnic. I didn't get to the pictures from dinner last night. I hope to get to them tomorrow. Thank you all for your prayers!
House Visit Thursday Night
HOUSE VISITS
Tuesday and Thursday night's each of our families went to the home of a Ukranian family for dinner or dessert. Our desire was to get to know local believers from the church individually. This was a very good time and all of us remarked at how fast the time went and how bad we felth having to leave after it seems like we just got started talking.
I have included pictures here from the Wynalda's visit to Yuri, Olga and Eula (Julie)'s house. I hope to get more pictures from the visits of other families later.
Yuri and Olga have a very nice flat in a building near the church. Yuri had just finished remodeling it weeks before our arrival. I believe we were the first guests they have had into their new home!
The Ukranian families are tremendous hosts. Olga took the day off of work (her first in seven years) to cook for us all day long. We are so thankful for their hospitality.
The couple have worked for many years non stop to afford a down payment. They work long days and grandma spends a great deal of time with Julie/Eula. Eula is 10 - just about Bailey's age. Eula and Bailey had a great time together.
Here is a picture of our kids with Eula (Julie). It's amazing to watch your kids play with people who can't speak the language but still communicate with each other and become friends.
The food was both beautiful and delicious.
It was explained to us at dinner that the feast we had is not typical in Ukraine. They said they prepare like this for a visit about once per year. We are very honored to have been their guests.
As you can see, the food was spectacular!
We brought small gifts from home for our hosts to show them we are thankful for them and will be praying for them and their church. Yuri has a small scar on his face from playing hockey. When he received a Red-Wings shirt from us he thanked us.
Hockey is something that is popular in the north. Odessa (where we are) is in the south and it is too warm here for hockey.
Generally we have found most of the Ukrainians eager to wear an American t-shirt (at least with us later in the week). Some things are similar the world over. It seems nearly all humans like respected brand names and things with a good reputation. Fortunately I will never have to wear anything from Ohio state they don't qualify....
(Ok, that one was for Steve Gibson, Pastor Samra, I'm sure, will concur..)
Tuesday and Thursday night's each of our families went to the home of a Ukranian family for dinner or dessert. Our desire was to get to know local believers from the church individually. This was a very good time and all of us remarked at how fast the time went and how bad we felth having to leave after it seems like we just got started talking.
I have included pictures here from the Wynalda's visit to Yuri, Olga and Eula (Julie)'s house. I hope to get more pictures from the visits of other families later.
Yuri and Olga have a very nice flat in a building near the church. Yuri had just finished remodeling it weeks before our arrival. I believe we were the first guests they have had into their new home!
The Ukranian families are tremendous hosts. Olga took the day off of work (her first in seven years) to cook for us all day long. We are so thankful for their hospitality.
The couple have worked for many years non stop to afford a down payment. They work long days and grandma spends a great deal of time with Julie/Eula. Eula is 10 - just about Bailey's age. Eula and Bailey had a great time together.
Here is a picture of our kids with Eula (Julie). It's amazing to watch your kids play with people who can't speak the language but still communicate with each other and become friends.
The food was both beautiful and delicious.
It was explained to us at dinner that the feast we had is not typical in Ukraine. They said they prepare like this for a visit about once per year. We are very honored to have been their guests.
As you can see, the food was spectacular!
We brought small gifts from home for our hosts to show them we are thankful for them and will be praying for them and their church. Yuri has a small scar on his face from playing hockey. When he received a Red-Wings shirt from us he thanked us.
Hockey is something that is popular in the north. Odessa (where we are) is in the south and it is too warm here for hockey.
Generally we have found most of the Ukrainians eager to wear an American t-shirt (at least with us later in the week). Some things are similar the world over. It seems nearly all humans like respected brand names and things with a good reputation. Fortunately I will never have to wear anything from Ohio state they don't qualify....
(Ok, that one was for Steve Gibson, Pastor Samra, I'm sure, will concur..)
Thursday, August 13, 2009
An hour or two at the beach
BEACH TIME
After lunch we sped off to the beach with several of the church workers to see if we could dip a foot into the black sea.
Everyone enjoyed a little bit of time at the beach. I think if a poll were put out that this is DEFINITELY one of Steve's spiritual gifts.
The beach here is much like Lake Michigan with the big waves. (Although there are more stones and shells - but that wouldn't' be hard since Lake Michigan is fresh water with a pure sand beach).
We even got to go "tubing" behind some Sea-doos in big raft like objects. These things are fun. I've seen some of them in America but they had some REALLY big ones (two wide missile like things!)
It was a blast.
The local church members who were with us said they've never done anything like that so it was very fun for us to be able to participate with them in this activity.
Big smiles were had by all and all but the small children were able to go (the water was very rough)..
The above picture looks dark when viewed on the blog. I'm not sure why. Click it for a larger easier to see version. This is Yuri and Natasha (celebrated their 2 year anniversary yesterday!) with Kamil (on the right). Kamil is the pastor of the local church where we have been working with them to complete the VBS (day camp).
They've been working by our side all week long. We are so thankful for them!
Even most of us men were hoping by the end of our ride that we'd be done soon. Nothing like being blasted by sea water and 4ft waves at about 40mph sitting on a rubber inner tube device!!
Kent, of course, had to challenge the driver by putting his hands up in the air to go "no hands". Suffice it to say the driver took the challenge and we did a full 360 rotation behind him and could hardly breathe the rest of the ride.
Some of the group even asked the driver to go back early because they were freaked out. Those shall remain nameless. (of course you could just look at the picture and the lady with the life preserver on, but then you'd know and I didn't tell you).
The girl grew up tubing on the lake. What a wuss (love you KT)
Well now we're back at the seminary for a tiny bit of R&R then dinner.
(Actually, everyone went to dinner but my family since we're going to a later dinner with a family from the church. Olga took the day off work today to prepare a Ukranian dinner for us. What a kind thing to do!)
More tomorrow!! We still have lots of things to do with people from the church here. VBS may be done, but our ministry here is certainly not!
After lunch we sped off to the beach with several of the church workers to see if we could dip a foot into the black sea.
Everyone enjoyed a little bit of time at the beach. I think if a poll were put out that this is DEFINITELY one of Steve's spiritual gifts.
The beach here is much like Lake Michigan with the big waves. (Although there are more stones and shells - but that wouldn't' be hard since Lake Michigan is fresh water with a pure sand beach).
We even got to go "tubing" behind some Sea-doos in big raft like objects. These things are fun. I've seen some of them in America but they had some REALLY big ones (two wide missile like things!)
It was a blast.
The local church members who were with us said they've never done anything like that so it was very fun for us to be able to participate with them in this activity.
Big smiles were had by all and all but the small children were able to go (the water was very rough)..
The above picture looks dark when viewed on the blog. I'm not sure why. Click it for a larger easier to see version. This is Yuri and Natasha (celebrated their 2 year anniversary yesterday!) with Kamil (on the right). Kamil is the pastor of the local church where we have been working with them to complete the VBS (day camp).
They've been working by our side all week long. We are so thankful for them!
Even most of us men were hoping by the end of our ride that we'd be done soon. Nothing like being blasted by sea water and 4ft waves at about 40mph sitting on a rubber inner tube device!!
Kent, of course, had to challenge the driver by putting his hands up in the air to go "no hands". Suffice it to say the driver took the challenge and we did a full 360 rotation behind him and could hardly breathe the rest of the ride.
Some of the group even asked the driver to go back early because they were freaked out. Those shall remain nameless. (of course you could just look at the picture and the lady with the life preserver on, but then you'd know and I didn't tell you).
The girl grew up tubing on the lake. What a wuss (love you KT)
Well now we're back at the seminary for a tiny bit of R&R then dinner.
(Actually, everyone went to dinner but my family since we're going to a later dinner with a family from the church. Olga took the day off work today to prepare a Ukranian dinner for us. What a kind thing to do!)
More tomorrow!! We still have lots of things to do with people from the church here. VBS may be done, but our ministry here is certainly not!
More from the final day of VBS (we have a brief downtime before home visits with new friends from the church here.
I am excited to see my daughter get to know and love children on the mission field and also the children of missionaries. This will, I hope, instill in her a heart for missions and maybe more. I am excited to see the families serving here when they are in the states and anticipate travel
Here is tbe entire group of church servants working at VBS this week (short a couple of the kids who were still out with friends in other rooms of the church). We praise God that he can use people from many different cultures in places for a single purpose in his kingdom.Lots of pictures were taken with our new friends.
The girls put on a presentation of a song written by Katie Mateer. It was written to match the theme of our week. Parts were taken by each of the girls and there was choreographed dancing to match. The local children loved it and it was explained by the interpreter what each portion of the song said.
Many of you know that Calvary students sang a song for the Ukrainian children in Russian before we left. We taped it and showed it to the children here. They, in turn, learned God is so Good (two verses) for the children at Calvary. Those checking the blog get a preview (attached).
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