Adventures in Ukraine

After a flight that we actually were able to sleep on…we arrived at DFW. I had been up since 5:00 a.m. Vienna time, and I was exhausted. It is hard to sleep on international flights that are flying back into your own time zones. I probably slept about 20 minutes on the long flight, and watched movies the rest of the  time. Staci had been up since 7:00 a.m. and didn’t sleep much if at all on the plane either. We were both very tired when we arrived at around 9:30 p.m. Dallas time.

We first had to check on the ATM machine to see if the other card would work…it did not…before going to the baggage claim area to see friends. Karen and Kathy Withrow, the Andersen family, Katrina Kelly, the Harrington boys from Florida (they were here for Mt. Fork camp), and Rick were there to meet us.

Our families were a sight for sore eyes! With the exception of me grumping at Rick for not emailing me…we were ecstatic to see family and friends. Our bags all made it, and we walked out to the vehicles and drove to my house. Staci and I shared suitcases and our stuff was mixed together. Kayla ran up to me and grabbed me…she hasn’t gotten far from my side since…and Wil and Cody gave me a big hug as well.

Everyone helped get luggage settled and then left to go home. It was now after 10:00 p.m. Just sitting and decompressing after the trip and grabbing a small bite to eat was so joyful! I am glad to be home!

Thank you to every one who helped make this trip such a success. Your contributions were more than expected…again…you make this trip possible. God uses His people to do His will, thank you for being willing vessels for His service.

Special thanks goes to Fairy Cooper for putting together the packets for the lessons. That took such a load off of me…you will never know just how much! And to Howell Gibbs for keeping the money straight for us year after year!! You have the heart of a servant!

Thank you to everyone who was on the Prayer Team! Without you all, as a team, praying constantly for us, our load would have been much harder to handle. Some have told me “I can’t do much except pray”, I think that is one of the most important parts of the success to this mission…keep it up!!

Thank you to Staci for putting up with me…and for seeing my Ukraine and falling in love with that country and its people!

Thank you Gary for leading this team…Steve for your generosity…Kathy for the library…Greg for your male perspective…Chelsea and Rachel for taking Staci in and making her feel like part of the team (and she didn’t have to hang out with only OLD people!)…

Thank you Rita for ALL that you do we could not do it as well as you do, you make it look easy…Olga for your sensitive heart and your wonderful job of interpreting…Jane for your laughter and tears and for sharing your wonderful students to interpret for us…

Most importantly…thank you God for sending your Son to die for us…for being there with us each step of the way…for your Word to comfort and teach us….for the gifts that you gave each of us to share with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine…for being SO AWESOME!!!

And…for all of you who would like to make the trip with me….there’s always next year…

much love to you all,

Jackie and Staci