The time has gone so fast...

Well, I now have exactly one week left before I actually leave the country of Ukraine, possibly forever. It's a little sad to me that my time is winding down so quickly, and I know that I am going to miss living here. I've come to love and respect the Ukrainian people a lot. I love the way they don't like to sit on the ground because they think it's too dirty, the big yellow barrels of kvas that look like beer but aren't, that they think a draft will give them a cold, that the grandmothers rule the country with an iron fist, and a lot of other things. The kids here are so open and candid, they will tell you almost anything about their lives because they want to get to know you, much more open than American kids. They like to hear about Jesus, and they find Americans in particular to be very cool/hilarious. Their parents/grandmothers may be suspicious of strangers (with good reason because of the communist regime), but they warm up to you and appreciate what you do for their children/grandchildren.

Well, this week has been extremely wonderful. I've been working with the Irish team a lot, but also working in the student center as well. It's been interesting to go to the Irish team's devotionals in the evenings (when I'm not working at the student center). I realized just how much I really miss singing, and it's helped me to come about in my faith a little bit. I realize just how much I love God and want to serve him, and all this doubt doesn't mean anything. I'd be very arrogant to say that God doesn't exist, and I don't believe that anyway. I'm leaning on him for some proper change in my life. The team is going through the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, which I haven't read in years. It's great to hear them talk about their faith, and the first night we all shared why we were here. This also made me realize how selfish I am in my faith. My explanation was mainly about me, whereas others were about service and much more selfless. It made me realize I need to serve God because he is worthy of it, and not because of what I can get out of it, and just look for opportunity and don't turn it down when it stares me in the face.

Wednesday was great. I have been helping the team with their children's club in the afternoons (2-3:30), and this day I was able to speak a lot of Russian. We have a translator (Catya) who is very good while only about 14, she studies in Don's English class (he helps around here but isn't a missionary, at least not through WGM). I was almost translating for an Irish team member named Ivan to a boy named Zhenia. He's a teenager, and causes a little trouble with the team because he's a boy and boys do that when they are teenagers. We talked about football (i.e. soccer), our favorite teams, and some other things. It was really great to get to use the Russian I had learned and just to be helpful, which I haven't felt I have been to the team yet. We then went to a store during the time to get popsicles for all of the kids (which the Irish call ice lollies, which I love), and I had to order 30 of them and find out the price from the owner of the local shop. I had a little trouble, but got the order in and we got out relatively quickly. The two girls I was with were suprised at how quickly we got out, and I realized that I really love to translate and use language as much as possible. Maybe I'll want to do that with my life (I could always work with Wycliffe).

Thursday I went to the orphanage with the team (Matthew and I are switching on and off again so more of them can go). It was different than any time I've gone before, not only because of the team, but because they had a plan as to how it should go. They did the same thing they were going to do in the kid's club that afternoon, and the kids loved playing with them and hearing the story of Adam and Eve, acted out by the Irish. Garreth, the pastor of the team's church, was very funny as the snake, and acted like he would strike the kids which they loved. I am really going to miss these kids, I've grown to really love them. When Matthew or I come over now, several run up to us and hug us or give us handshakes (for the older boys). I've got one more time to go there on Tuesday, and it's going to be sad for me (although I think we're all going to visit on Friday before we leave Berdyansk).

Friday we worked around the center (although I didn't really, having gone to the store and then done nothing; I felt really bad and lazy about this). During the kid's club I had to read the story. I'll admit I was nervous, especially because my story was about the Passover meal where Jesus washed his disciple's feet. I wasn't sure how well it would translate, but it went over well according to the team. I got on my knees and washed one of the team member's feet and talked about how Jesus was being a servant by doing this, and how much more so we should. I liked giving the lesson, although I'm not sure I'd like doing it all the time. I think it went well, but it could have gone better.

And then we come to Dennis. I am growing to really like this boy and his mom. Earlier in the week I had a really great discussion with him about reading the Bible and our favorite stories (his was Daniel in the lion's den I think, sorry). I also talked to him more about his grandmother, who is still sick. I told him I would keep praying, and I think he appreciated it. Matthew, Vika, and I played life with him and his mom on another day, which was a lot of fun. Matthew ended up having five kids, and me three. Dennis's mom (Oksana) has been a lot of help at the kid's club, translating what Catya can't remember (they're in the same English class). Some of the team members prayed for her one day, and she was in tears, she is a very loving and caring woman. I'm praying for them, and hope you do too. The rest of the week went well in the student center too, and by Friday we had over 15 kids in there from the kid's club and other places (Matthew, Vika, and I had put up a lot of fliers a couple of days ago, like over 50). I really think this ministry will do good things for these kids, and it is so much fun to just get to sit down and play and talk with them.

Friday night we went to the promenade with the team. I hadn't been there at night since the first team was here, and it was interesting to see how much I've learned about Ukraine. I knew the histories of all of the statues we saw, I knew how to order a drink and chips in Russian, I knew culturally what and what not to do, and I got to pass that on to the team. I've learned a lot here in Ukraine, and I'm really going to miss it. I've learned I love youth ministry again, love to work cross-culturally, and love to translate. I'm still not sure of where to go, although I'm still leaning towards Hungary (although Ukraine has made a plea in my heart), but I know I want to work with kids and teens and be able to do translating in some fashion. Maybe working here with Bill is what I should do, I don't know. I feel fairly strongly that I need to visit Africa (Kenya in particular) and Asia (Japan in particular) before making any decisions for sure, but who knows if I'll be able to. I am going to search out the Lord on this, and would ask you to pray for me as I am seeking. Just pray that I would listen and obey once I hear. I may not like teaching exactly, but I can do it. I just know that missions is to be a big part of my life, and I hope I'm not too scared to act on it. I'd hate to miss the biggest part of me because I'm too afraid to admit it. Thanks for reading, and I love you all.

David