A week gone quickly...

Wow, I hadn't realized that it has been almost a week since I last posted, that's not too good. Well, not too much different happened for most of the week, but I'll try to catch you up. On Monday we worked on the fence in the morning and in the evening did VBS again. I always enjoy the VBS so much because the kids here are so friendly, and so eager to learn some English. Each lesson has some English words thrown in for them to learn, so they like to practice with us occasionally. Especially Julia, who speaks a little English, and likes to use it whenever possible. We've been averaging around 20 kids a night, which is great. I often feel that VBS is a little hokey when we put it on, because it seems like that's all people do when they go on mission trips. However, every time I do it, I see the merit of it and love it more. I haven't been able to do any Bible study leading or ESL, but I'm helping with leading songs, which sort of counts for both.

On Tuesday some people went to the orphanage again, and the rest of us stayed and worked on the fence. I must say the painting the fence is fairly monotonous, and there is a lot of it to paint. I'm having trouble seeing it's worth, but I have to keep reminding myself that everything I do for the glory of God is worthwhile. I got to help with the grocery shopping, which was fun. Stores around here are a little different than in the States. You aren't allowed to bring in a bag, for fear of shoplifting. However, you have to pay for your own grocery bags (reduces overuse of them), so you can bring your own plastic bags to carry groceries home with. Grocery shopping is always one of my favorite first cultural experiences, and it was just as much fun then. They have ice cream everywhere here, and it is good. I like to try a new one whenever possible. VBS was great in the evening again, and it seems every evening we had at least two new kids.

Wednesday, instead of working on the fence, the team decided to go downtown for a couple of hours (with Matthew and I tagging along). But first we went to the children's hospital. Oksana Brower's other nephew (Dima, brother of Roma who had spilled boiling water on himself) had an allergic reaction to shellfish and was in the hospital for a day. It was interesting to see a Ukrainian hospital, although I didn't go in because they could only let three of us up to see Dima. Then we went downtown and walked around in a mall for a bit. Malls in Ukraine are more open than in the US. The stores don't really have doors, so you just walk in and look around for what you want. The clothing is really nice, as in most of Europe, and it is extremely Ukrainian to look your best at all times. I'm trying to find some clothes, but I haven't found any I like yet. That evening we had our last VBS as the team would be leaving the next day before they could do another one. This evening we had another water balloon fight (so much fun!), a game where the kids poured water into a cup on my and some other team members' heads, and we split into groups and the kids used what English they had learned on native English speakers (us). It really helps in language development to be able to talk with a native speaker of that language (thank you ESL class).

Thursday was a bit of a sad day because the team had to leave. In the morning some worked on the work project, but I went with Melissa and Elisa to the orphanage (which is every Tuesday and Thursday). This time we got to play outside. Daniel was all over me again, and we had fun chasing each other, and his sister Julia. I put them both on my knee and bounced them around like a horse (like you used to do to us, Dad), and they loved it. Then the older boys came out. My heart really breaks for them, because if they go into the second stage orphanage (this was first stage where they are dropped off and can't be adopted, they look for a relative), they are not likely to get adopted because they are "too old". No one wants to adopt a teenager, even though they need love too (more than some kids, in fact). Around 60% of these boys end up in the Black Market when they leave the system, which shows how little loved they are. So I played soccer with them when Daniel and Julia were finally distracted by coloring. I think they enjoyed it, I did, even though I was terrible. One little boy (Roma) kept making me switch positions from goalie to offense because I was so bad. But they enjoyed it, especially scoring on an American (which they take immense pleasure in). I just loved being able to love on them, and show them someone cares, even if he can't play soccer. Then, at 3 pm we said our goodbyes to the team, who were heading on the train to Kiev for souveniers and then their plane. It was sad to see them go, but I am excited that the ministries I am involved in aren't limited by what the team is doing (although it never really was, I suppose). I'm just excited to see what will happen now. We just relaxed the rest of the evening, and watched Finding Nemo.

Friday went by quickly. Bill Brower came the night before and informed me I was to work construction with the Ukrainians the next day. I'll admit I wasn't too happy (I'm not much a one for construction, as most of you know), but I was excited to show that I wanted to work with the Ukranians, and to see how they work. I think it's important to not act superior because I'm American (there's no reason to), and to do the same work as the local people. It also helped me work on my whole "this is for God, not for me" thing. Have to admit, I haven't got it down yet (I don't expect I will any time soon, or in years to come even). So the next day came, and I got up to head down to work (they work in the building I stay in, which is now with the Tarrs because they needed our apartment for a couple who are adopting a Ukranian boy). I met up with Sasha, a local who speaks fairly good English, and was to work with him. However, it was raining extremely hard, so the only construction I did was move a couple of doorframes out of the rain. However, Bill Tarr asked Sasha and I to scrape paint off of the stairwell that leads to their apartment, which we happily obliged. We used soapwater and sandpaper to get it off, and it took a couple of hours. It was nice to get to talk to a Ukranian one on one. Sasha is trying to get his master's degree (in what I'm not sure), and wants to be a pastor, but has no building for his church. He's only 26 (just a few years older than me), and is married to Oksana (it's a common name here). His dream is just to build a house for his family, which made me realize how greedy we are in the States, and how much we take for granted. We talked about places we'd been (I've been to far more places than he, obviously). One thing stuck with me, though. He was asking me if I'd been to the Grand Canyon. I said no, as I haven't. He then said "I don't understand Americans. They have the opportunity and the money to do things, but they never take them." It hit me rather hard that as Americans, we are so worried about keeping what we've earned, that we never really enjoy life. We have opportunity to do things, not just travel, but help the world, and we're too afraid of failure or loosing money or a day's work to do them. I'll have to think on that some more. I later weedwhacked the yard (they do it instead of mowing) for a couple of hours and got a bit done. The yard I was cutting was about to my thigh, so it took a while. We just rested the rest of the day (Matthew had been busy painting a mural of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for the youth center, which looks great so far).

Today was our day off. Matthew and I got up at around 9 and headed for downtown. We just read at the beach for a little while (more like by the beach, as where we were was just a rocky outcrop), and walked around looking for clothes and seeing the city. It really is a lovely town, and the sea is beautiful (I've got pictures up on Facebook). We're resting up right now for the two weeks of camp next week. I'm a little nervous about being the only English speakers, but I'm trying to learn to rely on God, even if I'm in a phase of doubt. Thanks so much for all of your prayers, I believe they are helping me in so many ways, including my faith. Keep praying, especially for the two camps over the next two weeks. I won't likely blog during them, as there will be no electricity, but I'll keep a journal there and hopefully put it up later. Thanks for keeping up with me, and I love you all.

David