+ 7 - 12 | § ¶ok...it's been a year!
Just want to let you all know - I have officially been a missionary to Kiev, Ukraine for 1 year! I arrived here, October 19th, 2005. I spent exactly 3 months in the States during that year - raising funds, retooling, and reviving for more - but - for the most part, I can't believe it has been a year. There are so many stories, so many feelings...I went the full range, from Excited-First-Timer - to depressed journeyman all the way - to adjusting pretty well. Sometimes I even feel like Ukraine is more like home than America. Anyway - I would like to go through some stories with you - but alas, it is 3:30am here...which means I am in big trouble for tomorrow...because I have meetings early. One important meeting I have is with a Russian Langauge school called SEND. I will be attending their classes starting January 8th. It is a full-time school, demanding 35 hours a week work and they want me there for 2 years to learn Russian properly - well...I have tried other methods for the past year...and although I am feeling much better/confident in my Russian...I am a long way from Satisfied. OK - let me just say, I think it takes a missionary 1 year before things can start to feel like they are moving/progressing towards good goals...and it may take a few more before huge results start rolling in - but...I have landed, or I see the tip of the ice berg - and it makes me happy to be here...in this place! I wouldn't want to live the first year over for sure...I hope I don't say that about the next few years - but I can say...things are progressing, in life, in ministry, and in general adjustment to another world!
+ 13 - 10 | § ¶The Second English Club Meeting...
Greetings...Friends...
This week has been exciting...I have been meeting with some people...about Orphanage projects...but I will update you more on this later. Right now, I want to tell you about our Second English Club Meeting - it was this last Saturday, 3pm until about 8pm...as some people stayed later. We enjoyed about 2 hours of converstation in English together, practicing and chewing on cookie, drinking coffee by the gallon. Anyway, again, I failed to take pictures during the actually meeting...but it was cool. We had 2 new Ukrainians...as well as, 3 new Americans...there. 2 of the gentlemen are in the Armed Forces located in Italy and they just flew in this weekend to visit Ukraine. It was nice to meet them and talk about American things...but mainly it was good for the group...as they like to practice their English with Native speakers. This weeks "biblical idea" was - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart" - that is the phrase I taught them to say and I had a little talk about trust...who to trust and who not to trust. Anyway, they love to take my camera and take crazy pictures of themselves...so here you go:)
and here is some more...
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