National Blog Month. Guess I missed the memo.

November is National Blog Month. Lots of people are honoring that designation by posting a blog EVERY DAY this month.

Obviously, I'm not one of them.

What can I say? November has been a slow month. And it's been a pretty hard month too. In fact, this "semester" has been pretty hard.

October was alright. I enjoyed getting to help-out with World Racers who were in town during that time.

I always enjoy getting to hang out with some of my IMB friends- usually on Friday nights when one family almost always cooks Homemade Pizza...which is the best Pizza in Ukraine, by far! A few weeks ago we had Mexican/Enchilada Night in honor of one of the team members' birthday (she's from Texas). The following week we had Red Beans and Rice with sausage in honor of my birthday. So...I can't complain about the food, at least not on Friday nights.

But back to this being a hard month and a hard time. It just is. Maybe it has something to do with the shortening of the days. We're down to just a little over 8 hours of daylight per day. It's still dim at 8 in the morning and it's dark by 4:15ish. The days will continue to get shorter for another month. It hasn't been particularly cold here, but we seem to be in that constant "overcast" mode- aptly reflecting how I feel on so many different levels.

School is hard. Really hard. It's always two steps forward and one step back. Not that I've ever been a real fan of homework...but it's getting harder and harder for me to "just do it." I usually end up waiting until a few hours before class- which is not good studying technique!

My sleeping habits have gotten continuously erratic since returning to Ukraine a couple months ago. At least I'll be all set to get back into the swing of things when I return to the States next month. I'm essentially living on Central Time here lately (which is about opposite of how I should be functioning over here!).

But next week is Thanksgiving. I'll have Dinner with friends and rumor has it we'll figure out a way to watch football too. I do have a lot to be thankful for (here's an excerpt from a newsletter I'm working on):

I’m thankful for the opportunity I’ve had to be in Ukraine all year, for the opportunity to move forward with language study. I’m thankful that I’m making progress. Sometimes I can’t believe I’m actually reading, writing, understanding and speaking a 2nd language– even if I do sound like a toddler!! I’m thankful to have lived on less than half of what I originally thought it would take. I’m thankful for my family’s unyielding support of me. I’m thankful for a handful of friends that have consistently reminded me this year that they are! I’m thankful that what I’ve done is not who I am! I’m thankful that He hasn’t forsaken me and He won’t. If it gets worse before it gets better, He’ll still be walking through it with me. And I’m thankful for your continued prayers for me.

First Little Lite Dusting of Snow

There were very light snow flurries yesterday but no accumulation. Finally this morning there was just the tiniest bit of accumulation. Other parts of the country have already received some snow, but this is the first for Kyiv for this Winter. It's really chilly outside (high 20's F with low 20's windchill) and it's overcast (and if my time here last Winter was an indicator...it'll be overcast until the end of March!!). The days are rapidly getting shorter. It's getting dark about 4:30 pm...and by time late December rolls around it won't get light until after 8:30 or so in the morning I guess.

Since I don't have to drive anywhere I can say that I like the snow. I guess that's a Mississippi thing...to have seen so little of it growing up makes it special for me even though it's such a regular part of life here in Ukraine. Once it gets here for real, I think it's beautiful...and hot tea or coffee is just...better...when it's a snowy white winter wonderland outside.

Anniversary of my Day of Birth

It hasn't been a bad Birthday weekend. It's just that...I find I'm not looking forward to them as much as I used to. How did it happen? I know my family will be quick to remind me that I'm still the "baby" of the family (resist, ok?)...but dang! Forty-Five year old babies? Just doesn't sound right.

But I digress. After a couple of pretty hard days in class Thursday and Friday the Birthday weekend began to show promise Friday night. Most Friday nights I join the Hathcock Family for Homemade Pizza. Darrel and Kim are IMB Missionaries here in Kyiv and he's a Team Leader that overseas a handful of Journeymen (2 year) and Hands-On Missionaries (less than a year term). Homemade Pizza night is something to look forward to!

This past Friday night featured Enchiladas in honor of one of the Journeygirl's (a Texan) birthday. Let's just say anything remotely resembling Mexican Food is a major treat arou

nd here. I helped Darrel move a refrigerator Saturday afternoon and ended up hanging out with him all day...which ended with leftovers Saturday night that was probably better the 2nd time!

Today after church the Hathcock's and another family treated me to Chinese Food...another rarity here. It was really fun especially because-

between the two families there were 7 kids-including 5 girls under 11. That was quite a sight (and sound!) in a small Chinese Restaurant occupied predominately with Asian patrons.

Finally- I have to say the Birthday Reminder is probably Facebooks very best feature. I love it because I've always been terrible keeping up with Birthdays. I don't even remember immediate family birthdays half the time. But thanks to FB, I've received LOTS of online love from friends and family this weekend. AND...MSU won a game (I woke up at 3 in the morning to watch the 2nd half on the internet!)

So. Happy Birthday to me...and thanks to all of you that pray for me.

Swine Flu in Ukraine

In case you're wondering...no, I didn't get Swine Flu for my Birthday. However, seemingly overnight all of Ukraine is in a panic. As best as I can tell from looking at a lot of blogs and news sources, there's been a major Flu outbreak in the Western part of the country and it's moving this way. Also...in keeping with standard government operating procedure over here... no one really knew about it until it reached Epidemic proportions. Reports vary, but some estimates are that about 53 people have died in the last 10 days out West and thousands are infected. Some reports are stating that the government had been warned months ago to prepare for this, but of course that money has been squandered elsewhere.

As it stands...here in Kyiv, all public and private schools are closed for the next 3 weeks. Most public meetings have been banned for the same period, including some church services. No word yet if my school will be cancelled, but I think it will probably go on unless some teachers get sick. Public Markets are closed until further notice...I don't think that will apply to the regular grocery stores. I may stock up on Ramen Noodles just in case!!

(picture stolen from Michelle Knisley's blog)

Travel between Oblasts (like States or really large counties) have been restricted. People everywhere are wearing surgical masks...I can't imagine them being much use. The President said today that some State Factories have been mobilized to begin producing up to 1 million mask per day. Train Station personnel are reportedly "disinfecting" passengers upon embarkation. There's been a run on pharmacies for the masks and for basic medicines. Of course there aren't nearly enough actual vaccinations to go around. One article said Kyiv shipped 1200 vaccines out West...where 150,000+ people may be sick??!! Today's online edition of Kyiv Post says the government has requested International Aid and that the World Health Organization is sending a team here.

So. It's Ukraine. It's hard to tell how bad it really is. In terms of Preparedness and Infrastructure to handle an epidemic...it's probably bad. I feel like there's a pretty big element of "hype" and "panic" though.

Busses and Subways here are always VERY crowded- the potential for spreading a Virus is, well...viral to be sure. I made it through last winter just fine in part I think because once it actually got cold, I would wear gloves everywhere, including on public transportation. I think that probably helps more than wearing masks. In any case, there's no need for me to do much traveling here in the city. I walk to class and I can lay low for a few weeks. I've got good insurance (not that it would do any good with Meds in short supply).

So. I ain't skeered.

Be in prayer though. So many people here don't have the luxury of "laying low". They have no option for mounting the cram-packed public transports every day for work. They don't have private insurance and even if they did it probably wouldn't help them much. If only America would send it's Congressional Health Care Reform geniuses over here to fix things!! Sigh.

The Departure of The World Race (for lack of a better title to describe what I've been up to all month)

The last of The World Race teams left Ukraine Tuesday. The four teams that were in Odessa and Lugansk began arriving last Thursday. So for the weekend all 8 of the January 09 World Race teams were in Kyiv for their monthly debrief. You can learn all about their month of ministry in Ukraine by clicking "Blogs" and "Blogs by Group" and "January 2009" at The World Race website.

From all that I've heard, I think they had a great month of ministry. Three teams worked with ministry friends in and around Lugansk. Some of them taught English and lectured in classrooms. Some of them visited orphans throughout the month. The team in Odessa was met by a Ukrainian friend that led to a great month of relational ministry among University students. Teams here in Kyiv also taught English and ministered alongside Ukrainian University students. Some of them worked outreaches to Drug Addicts several times a week. Some of them worked with street kids. They made friends that will last beyond their brief time here.

The last night was pretty memorable. We had rented an apartment where two teams of girls had lived for the month. Most of the teams left town on Monday, but 2 or 3 teams couldn't leave until different times on Tuesday, so we put them all in the apartment that was already paid for.

So...Monday- right after my language class- I went to a local Ukrainian Baptist Church to host a Coffee House Ministry for some IMB friends that were out of town this week. Not long after arriving at the Coffee House, one of the guys at the apartment called to tell me the Police were there, asking a lot of questions and threatening to confiscate their passports! Apparently a suspicious neighbor called- what with all the loud Americans coming and going.

I told them to bow up as best they could and try not to let them leave with the passports. If all else failed, to appeal to be taken to the US Embassy and to write a "Ticket"...but not to pay a Bribe...and not to give up the passports! The closest thing to a "charge" was that the apartment address was not the same as the address listed on their Immigration Cards.

Fortunately for the team, one of their Ukrainian translator friends was nearby and arrived in just a few minutes to help communicate with the Policemen. As I understand it, I think the scene got pretty heated but in the end, it was agreed that the Police would not take the passports but that one of the team members had to appear in court the following morning.

So...on Tuesday morning Tim Dixon, his friend Galina and I went to the Police Station. I stayed outside and prayed...we didn't feel the need to introduce a new character to the play at that point. A few minutes later, Tim texted me that after the Police finished writing their report then they would go see a judge. A couple hours later, he called to tell me that the Judge read the report and concluded almost immediately that there was "no crime- case closed."

Prayers answered. Adventures had. Blogs written. Another day in Ukraine.

I mentioned that some of my IMB friends were out of town this week on a Retreat. So, I've been house-sitting/dog-sitting for one of them. The apartment is really nice and comfortable. Staying here this week really worked out well for me since my usual abode- a Ukrainian friends Ministry Office/apartment- has been really hectic this week because they are hosting a major conference this weekend.

So...that's October. I have been originally planning to return to Mississippi when this school semester is over in December...but due to cash-flow issues, I may be home the week of Thanksgiving. I should know for sure in a few days.

The Return of The World Race in Ukraine

(Racers just after arrival at Kyiv Train Station)

At the end of last month more than 170 World Racers from 4 different squads, along with a 20-30 WR Alums and current Coaches and Leaders converged in Romania for the 1st Ever WR Awakening Conference. The immediate aftermath of the conference was sort of like a team breaking huddle with everyone motivated and re-energized to make their next play.

The January 09 (H Squad??) began arriving in Ukraine this past Wednesday. I think it was a week ago tonight (Sunday) that I started getting emails and FB and Skype messages enlisting a little help on this end.

Here's how God provided:

There were 8 teams (52 Racers) arriving in Ukraine in less than a week with really only 1 firm ministry lined up that would accommodate 2 teams. They pretty much had no ministry lined up and no place to stay.

I guess the first thing I did was to send out a FB Message to all of my Ukraine contacts- American and Ukrainian alike- to enlist help in finding them a place to stay and ministries to partner with.

(Some of the Racers at St Sophia Square)

Proportionately speaking- I didn't get much of a return on my investment...but a handful of folks jumped on it. One really sweet "God gift" was that I was chatting online with one of the girls who was a translator at camp this past summer. She's a University student in Odessa named Natalie. She told me she'd love to help them. I made the recommendation to Squad Leadership and the next thing you know there's a team heading for Odessa... still with no place to stay and no ministry to work with. But Natalie was there (after a short delay and some confusion about which Bus Station the team was at) to greet them. She found them a place to stay the night with a friend. The next day she helped them find an apartment for the month. She's connected them with a group of her friends that will essentially be the core of their ministry to college students this month. Thank you Lord.

Two teams were already committed to go to Lugansk and work with my YWAM friends Forrest and Darcy. Between my emails and Squad Leaderships' inquiries for ministry partners, another acquaintance in Lugansk agreed to take a team. Thank you Lord!

That left 4 teams for Kyiv. The WR had very fruitful ministry back in the Spring with CCX- a college student outreach of Intervarsity. We thought they'd be a good partner this time too, but we had not heard from them. The other day after the teams arrived I made one phone call and the next thing you know...we're connected and at least 1 team is set to go. Thank you Lord!

I have been a Facebook "Fan" of Ukraine Teen Challenge for months but I had never met the folks that run it. When I was looking for partners last week we finally connected...which led to a meeting the other day...which led to connecting one team to work with them this month...AND...Teen Challenge found affordable housing for the team as well! Thank you Lord!

The first Friday the WR was in town, I connected them with another friend that ministers to AIDS Orphans. So this past Friday I think 3 of the WR Girls joined her for that ministry at a local hospital. Thank you Lord!

(Art on St. Andrews Street in Kyiv)

My friend Oleg answered the call to house a team...offering to rent them a garage/studio apartment within the very limited WR Budget. Thank you Lord!

My friend Darrell moved out of his old apartment last week but managed to get the lease extended a month to allow two teams of girls to live in the apartment this month. It's crowded...but it's home! I thought we would have to pay them in advance last Wednesday night. I was going to cover the Racers until they could get some cash...but when I went to an ATM, my card didn't work. I was nervous, but offered up a quick prayer and God answered...at the meeting with the landlords and Attorney...they said they didn't need the money for a couple more days. Thank you Lord!

So...the WR is off to a great start in Kyiv. They all have somewhat affordable housing. Most of them have very solid ministry lined up for the month.

It's been fun for me to "show off" my city. Helping the Racers get acclimated and helping them find ministry has affirmed my heart for this place, for these people. The downside is that I skipped 3 days of classes so that will be painful beginning tomorrow. But since I won't be working camp later this month, then I guess it's okay that I missed most of this past week. I did keep up with most of my homework! One upside was that I got to use my language a good bit and enjoyed feeling like a genius while helping the Racers get around!

Another big help the last few days has been the presence of another "Camp Interpreter"- Vika (pictured below). She's been in Kyiv this past week and was great helping me help the team. Thank you Lord!

The Writing Blahs...Not Much News.

It's time for an update of some sort, but I don't have much that's "news".

Tomorrow I will begin my 5th week of classes. Time is flying it seems. I can't believe it will be October in just a few days.

For anyone that cares, we have now been at least acquainted with all 6 cases of the Russian Language. To give you an idea what that means (remembering that Russian also uses Genders- M, F, Neuter and Plurals)...that means adjectives and nouns and such could potentially have 24 different endings. Most don't because there's some overlap...but still.

Most of our classwork and homework the last week or so has been trying to put it all together...that is, maybe taking a sentence and rewriting it in each of those 6 cases. I've found myself flipping through the pages of my notes a lot lately. I do alright on my homework where I have the opportunity to do that; but trying to speak it in class is another story. Studying and practicing is hard work.

In other news: About 170 current World Racers along with 20+ Race Alumni and Coaches/Leaders spent last week in next-door Romania. I really didn't have the money to go (I can fly across country in Ukraine for under $50.00 but it was gonna cost $500 to go to Romania!). As the week wore on, I got more and more bummed about not being able to be with them. There will be a Squad of Racers here in Ukraine throughout October though and I should have some opportunities to visit with some of them and lend a helping hand.

Finally, I had hoped to skip a week of school at the end of October and help with a camp similar to the ones I helped with this past summer but those plans have changed too. It's a "circumstances beyond my control" sort of thing. Oh well- not going will save me some money and I won't fall behind in my class.