Adventures in Ukraine

Wow…what a taxi ride we had yesterday. The guy has only been driving “I usually don’t tell my customers it is better”. Olga told him that  we were already in the car and he could tell us. He had only been driving for 3 or 4 months and the previous experience was on the computer games about driving. It was a very scarey prayer filled ride. At one point we were driving on the sidewalk. When we asked him why, he told us it was because the road was so bad! He was almost running little grandma’s off of the sidewalk. And he would look at them like THEY were at fault for walking on the sidewalk! At one point we hit a bump so hard and fast that Staci and I both flew up and almost hit the ceiling of the car. We both screamed. He said “sorry” in that deep  Russian voice. He did try to be slower! But he was going 100 kl an hour on the city streets that were traffic filled and pot holes everywhere. It was a very interesting experience for us both. Staci kept covering her mouth and saying “ohhhh” “oh my goodness” “what are doing”. I told her to stop because it was making him go faster and crazier! I literally was praying protection as we were flying down the road. He didn’t know where we were going so it was a much longer trip than necessary! This morning Staci said “you mean that he has only been driving for 3 or 4 months and I put my LIFE in his hands!!” Needless to say, this will be one thing that Staci will never forget!!

We also got a chance to see the babies again, of course Staci was in heaven! (untill we had to go back in that same taxi!) He did a better job of getting us home, not quite such a crazy ride. I used to get car sick a lot as a child, welllll, I got car sick yesterday over that ride. I never actually threw up….but boy did my stomach hurt!

Our class was on Paul and Silas singing in prison (maybe we should have started singing in the taxi!!) and we had a good class with the children. We ate at Daffi and got online, then had to buy diapers for the babies and go to the Baby House. We also bought one of the handicapped boys a baby seat (like you would sit them in on the floor or table to feed them in, I can’t think of the name of it right now) I was afraid that it would not fit, but he LOVED it and really played with the little mobile hanging from it. It sits up and lays back and has a rocker mode as well. They loved it…thank you Meadow View!

Our class last night with the ladies was very good as well. It seems that lessons that I brought with me, ones prepared long ago, were right on target for them. Without me even knowing what was going on, the Lord provided for the right lessons to be taught at the right time. I have really enjoyed the ladies here. I also told them about our LBC and how y’all sent money to them. They were so touched by your generosity. I am sure that they will send us pictures of how they use the funds we leave with them.

Today is our last day of class with the children and Ladies. We will also get our first chance to go to the hospital. We went this morning to buy some needed supplies. Wellllll….our clock at home SAID 8:12 when Staci got up and I knew we had to be at Daffi at 9:00 so…we left. Well our clock was wrong and we were early. We had to do all our stuff without an interpreter….which of course we did. Then getting back to the building on our own was a little different. We didn’t know what you called our stop so we just went to the front of the bus and said “stop bashalista” and he did and we got off. Welll….the minister Alexander looked at us like we were crazy…because here we were an hour and a half early with not interpreter. when Staci got on the computer and looked at their clock….well…she wasn’t a happy camper for losing an hour of sleep….sorry Staci…my bad!

Well, the kids are here so I must post my blog. We love you and look forward to seeing you in person. Not many days and we will be home. Keep us in your prayers for the final days here and our final leg of our journey. We know that God is in control and we will rely on Him.

we love you all, till we see you again,

Jackie and Staci