The team has made it to Zaporizhzhia. We had a great day Saturday touring around Kiev, taking lots of pictures. We saw alot of the city and many exciting sites.. including St. Andrews. We walked through the open markets but we did not buy anything. We headed back to the train station, had dinner and boarded the train around 8:00 p.m. Ukraine time. Around 8:30 p.m. we pulled out. The sleeping quarters of the train were quite small but we had a great time. Our quarters were each next door to each other; even the bunk where Slava was. Slava is our translator and he is great. Victor could no longer join us but he is still helping us with our travel arrangements while here. We miss him. We had our tea and then joined in one room to have our nightly team meeting to discuss the day, our thoughts, our challenges, and our plans for the next day. We ended our day with a prayer and then off to bed. I slept on the top bunk with Lisa and Keely underneath. We were so tired and didn't talk long before we were out. The swaying of the train and the noise of the tracks put me right out until 6:00 a.m. this morning.
We arrived in Zaporizhzhia about 6:50 a.m. and had to hurry with all the bags (we have 15 or more bags!), get loaded on the van and get to our next hotel so that we could make it to Church by 9 (including showers!). The hotel is about the same as the one in Kiev. Twin beds, no A/C (except all windows wide open) and typical European bath.. stand up shower that is mostly like something you climb up into. But at least this time the shower curtain reaches the bottom so the floor does not get drowned. Oh the last hotel in one room didn't even have a shower curtain. They provide breakfast tomorrow so we'll see how that is. We have 3 rooms. Boys and Dad are in one room, Lisa and Keely are in another and Laura and I share a room. They are very small.. definately not your typical USA hotel. We are ok though.. whatever it takes. We are not here to be comfortable but for the children. We made it to Church by 9 (just did make it) and that was good although we could not understand one word. Rob and Laura went up on stage and spoke to the congregation and Slava translated for them. It was so cool to hear Laura speak, here Slava speak and here the people respond. They laughed, they clapped and were glad that we were there. One lady sitting in front of me turned and smiled and handed me a bag full of plums. Slava said 'She wants to share with you' so I took the plums and replied 'Spa-SEE-ba'... thank you. She replied 'pa-ZHAL-sta' .. You're welcome'. That was cool. The lady behind me was fanning me because it was so hot in there. Again, no A/C. The Church was just an old building, like a warehouse or sorts. Had a big stage up front that was a wooden floor and a 50 ft. red curtain. Looked like some sort of theater. It was very packed however and the people were singing and praising and worshipping God. It was great to see.
We left Church and walked to a near by market to eat lunch. Then went back to the hotel and Laura went to bed to try and get well and the rest of us went walking. Visited the indoor mall .. that was pretty nice. Went to a local bookstore and then the Internet cafe. Then back to the hotel to get Laura.. she is feeling better now thank the Lord. We then went next door to where they are holding a Christian concert tonight .. can hear the music from my hotel room. Met with Olga there and met our two additional translators. Then we all went to have dinner. Had pizza. Olga cannot speak English so Kristina helped us all be able to communicate. She is very nice and does a good job with translating. We decided we are going to sleep in tomorrow for the first time since we left. Taking a boat tour at 12 since Monday is their holiday. Today is Independence day in Ukraine (1991). Then we will be visiting the baby house at 4 p.m. tomorrow.
This is where our work begins. We are all excited and ready to go see and share with the children. The kids here will be infants to age 4. Tuesday we will visit orphanage #3 where the kids will be ages 6-16. (Remember they are required to 'graduate' from the orphanage at age 16.) They have to leave although they have no where to go but the streets. The 4-5 year olds go to a seperate orphanage. So tomorrow our blogs could be filled with lots of tears and emotion.
So things here are good so far.. it's just very hot since we have no A/C. Spoiled Americans! But we agreed 'Whatever it takes!' and forward we shall go. We feel very blessed to have this opportunity to go forth and do what God would have us do. He has been so good to us so far.
We have a great team and we are all getting along and sharing and helping each other and we know we will be blessed each day and be stronger personally and in our faith once this trip is over. Remember us in your prayers and thank you for all your support with answering emails and reading our blog. We miss you all back home but we are glad to be here too!
Don't forget to read Lisa and Laura's entries for today as well!
God Bless You!
- Vicky
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