Adventures in Ukraine

I have had a double opportunity to share a table with friends here. Today, Sasha, Helen from Mississippi’s son, had his first birthday. His great-grandmother kept me at her flat the year I got spider bit in Ukraine. Anyway…they had a big party for him at old Helen’s flat. She used to cook for the President of Ukraine so she is familiar with cooking for large groups. She had enough food on the table to serve 30 or 40 people. There were only about 20 people there including the baby!

It was wonderful Ukrainian traditional dishes. Some of them more wonderful than others. I am not used to fish that isn’t cooked, or “salads” with unknown ingredients in them! I did have “crazy chicken” salad which was delightful. There is also a tradition of “toasts” to the birthday child and mother. They served Vodka, wine, and champagne. None of which I care for. It is also a tradition to “freshen” the drink after each toast, which meant my glass kept getting more and more full. When you don’t drink any, and they keep freshening it…it was soon going to be a problem. My interpreter finally came up with a solution…she poured it into the parsley glass when no one was looking. I guess if any one eats that parsley they will get a surprise!

The other table that I had to share was at Daffi. Apparently there is some kind of “end of school” concert in the parking lot. Which means that everyone and his dog are here celebrating. There are several hundred young adults drinking and talking in the parking lot, mixed in with families, stray dogs, stray children…you name it. It is chaotic. Anyway, in the Daffi WIFI area the table were all filled up, so we convinced one girl to “share” her table for the few minutes that it would take to blog….you guessed it….slowest internet in history….we finally got a table of our own nearby so that her boyfriend wasn’t so mad any more!

We also got to share with the Dawn girls on Friday. They needed swim wear and flip flops for camp. It was a rare treat to take that many young girls to the market to buy suits. It was quite an experience. They were all looking and talking and laughing at the same time. The little market area was about 4′ x 5′ and they were all trying to squeeze in look and try them on. The lady did put up a cloth to change behind. Afterwards the tradition is to buy ice cream. So we all bought ice cream and they got to go back to the Dawn and try them on for each other. It was an exhausting day.

Olga and I bought some groceries but decided not to make the Russian soup because it was so late, she went home and I threw some chicken and stuff in a pot and made a soup of my own. Saturday she came bright and early and made some soup that was delicious. I will have to make it for you all some time.

Our ladies had their second class today and we had a really good time. We had fresh strawberries and cherries with cookies and some Texas Tea (which means very sweet!) The lessons are from the Ladies Bible Class fall lessons, and they are really enjoying Phil. 4:8. We had about 20 at ladies class, and there was a good discussion.

Tomorrow we will have class, childrens class, lunch then go and make visits to the ones in the hospital. It should make for a long day since the place is so spread out. I know that the visits will be unexpected because not so many people do that here.

I am going home and rest and get some quiet. Daffi has had enough of me for today and Olga is almost asleep at the table with me. I love you all and am really enjoying the comments that you make on the blog. Keep praying. I’m feeling the love!

love and peace in Him,
Jackie

It was an early start today. We had to be on the road at 8 a.m. so I was up early and ready to go. Alexander, Irina, and Elena (another teacher) were all ready to go this morning. Rita and I got in and we began our journey. It was about an hour and some minutes before we arrived at the orphanage. It is on the outskirts of a large town, so it is almost in the country…or in the country almost in the city I should say.

We were greeted by several boys of varying ages. They all have some problems mentally, and some physically as well. We greeted the principals, and talked “shop” for a minute or two. Then we went to their classroom and started the lessons. Irina began with songs and reviews of the previous lessons. Then we went outside and did some games with hula hoops and races, etc.  When we got back inside, we had them draw the visuals I would be using for the story. They drew the plagues, and then one of them was Pharoah and the other was Moses and we told the story with interactive parts from the other guys. There were 14 boys present. We had a great time. The orphanage is very dark and it smelled pretty bad, but it was not as bad as I thought it would be.

The lesson was a success and we all had a good time. Then we traveled back to the city of Dnepropetrovsk. We picked up Elena’s daughter, so now in our four passenger car we have five adults and one 6 year old…it is Ukraine!

Rita and I were dropped off at Daffi, I have a chance to blog, and eat. Then tonight we will be at Alexanders place and then with Olga at seven thirty and then at Daffi tonight at 9 so that I can talk to Rick! Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it!

I must go for now…I love you all…and I wrote a novel for yesterdays blog so today you will get a simple “one column report”.

Jackie

 

Elevator still not working…will not work for probably a month…motor is burned out and is being replaced! So, I guess I will be getting my exercise this month! The weather is cold and rainy and I am very glad that I packed a light jacket, I have needed it every day. My sister Vicki would say the weather is perfect…she loves God’s air conditioning…and I do as well, but not quite as much as she does.

 

We went down town this morning to mail some snail mail to my grandchildren for their birthdays. Wil, my oldest son, also has a birthday coming up so I mailed him something that may or may not get to him before June 9. I hope that they will enjoy the Russian words (I wrote what they said) and pictures.

 

After mailing the cards, we went by van across the river to Tamara’s hospital, #5. It is a forty minute trip on a good day. We had a good day, so we were there very quickly. Tamara met us in the stair well and gave me a big bear hug. I enjoy her so very much. You can tell how much she cares for “her” babies and her staff. She works very hard to acquire just basic necessities for her floor. Thru her persistence she has been able to get 10 new hospital beds, some of you have seen the pictures of the old ones…they desperately needed new ones. She still needs more, but she was able to get 10! She has acquired a new sink and hot water heater in several of the baby wards (we replaced one for her 2 years ago); she has replaced windows which leak cold air (in 2 inch gaps) in the winter (not all are replaced yet); she has replaced worn out floors with new linoleum, she has replaced curtains and painted almost all of the orphan baby wards; the lighting all down her hall was replaced by your generosity a couple of years ago; she has a way of convincing the authorities and getting sponsors from charitable groups in order to take care of “her” babies!

 

I didn’t know just how much she has done for her floor until I visited on two other floors today. The difference is amazing. It was like going to a different hospital entirely. The floors, the facilities, the beds, the walls…I was thanking God for your generosity and love and my “persistent widow/nurse” Tamara. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out and making a difference in the lives of  these little ones. God is smiling.

 

Afterwards we were able to visit and encourage Natasha, a former interpreter. She had twin girls a year ago. She has been feeling the isolation that comes with having twins and not being able to get out much. I got a better feel for just how deep her isolation is after visiting with her.

 

Imagine, and it does not take much imagination for me considering we have twin grandsons who will soon be two, trying to get two children out and about. Now…imagine doing it under the same conditions that she does.

 

A twin size stroller will not fit in their VERY small elevator. (it fits two people comfortably, three is tight, and four (unless they are Twiggy) is uncomfortable. She lives on the fifth floor…so she can wait until her husband comes home (very late in the evening) or some one happens to come by and help her take them out for a walk in the area near their apartment. If she wants to go any where with them she must get on public transportation. By herself that is nearly impossible. The vans move very quickly and the people are not patient with strollers of any kind, they do not have time for a mother to put two babies on the van, find a seat, get their bags arranged, (forget car seats) pay the money, look for the correct stop, get off with the two children, the bags, and other stuff she needs…not to mention anything that she has to buy she will have to carry herself…I felt a new appreciation for just how hard it is for her to get out. She has no family that lives very close, and she lives across the river from most church members.

 

Speaking of church….there is NO cradle roll….NO mothers nursery….NO training room…NO facilities to change babies or place to feed them…NO amenities that you and I take for granted. If she can manage by some miracle to get them all across the river and to church, she has no place for them to be during worship except in her lap. When she can get help from her mom, she comes with out them. That doesn’t happen very often. The thought of wrestling two cranky babies through weather, transportation, and no classes does not make it easy to attend.

 

All I can say is….THANK YOU… Miss Sally, Miss Frankie, Miss Kathy, Miss Cathy, Miss Ruth Ann…all of the nursery attendants…all the Cradle Roll helpers and teachers (I am sorry, I know that I have missed naming someone for sure)…any one who has anything to do with our littlest ones being taught and loved on!       THANK YOU!  You may not realize just how important you are…but I do! And every mother of small ones does, too!

 

After leaving Natasha’s delightful brood, we traveled across the river and thru the woods…no, no…to the church building! We talked with Irina, the preachers wife, about the plans for tomorrows lesson at the orphanage they support. It will be an hour and a half ride to get there, we will teach for 2 hours, then come back. Of course, Fairy, she needs me to teach a lesson I have no visuals or craft for! BUT…due to your organization and supplies…it will come together! We are going to be teaching about the Plagues and will use paper plates and let them draw the visuals and then re-tell the story using the “craft” they made! We shall see if this comes off or not! I know God will use it too the best of our ability! Then we will play a game and do some other activities.

 

Tomorrow will be a long day…I know that you are praying for me. This blog is being typed up in Word and will be posted Thursday. I just couldn’t convince myself after this long day to walk back down 7 flights, across to Daffi, back up 7 flights, carrying my lap top, to my flat with the rain and darkness coming so quickly! So I know that you will forgive the late posting!

 

I love you all and will see you very soon, Lord willing.

 

Love and Peace in Him,

Jackie

I love this country….

This was my first day, or should I say evening, not to have an elevator working. So when I got home last night, of course without my flashlight, I had to use the stairs. There was enough light outside to see the numbers that are spray painted in the stair well, so I did not have a problem finding my floor this time. (no need for any poop…another story…another year…)

In my flat at night, because I live near a bar, I get to hear the “Song of the Drunks” every night. They are singing for their brothers in Europe! Loudly…off key…and very boisterously! If only it were in English so I could understand the words….NOT! Last night I also was jolted awake by what sounded like gunfire. It was probably fire works, maybe a Roman candle type thing…I sure hope so! The weather was very cool, in fact more cold than cool, and a gentle breeze made it feel like A/C at home! AGGHHHH! What a way to sleep…under the blanket with one foot out….that’s the life!

This morning we still did not have an elevator so Rita climbed the 7 flights to get me and then back down again. I told her it wasn’t necessary, I could just come down to her, but she is like a mother hen and doesn’t want me to do anything by myself…God bless her! We went to the Baby House this morning. Because we no longer have access to the preacher’s vehicle, we use public transportation. (Try setting a schedule by Ukrainian Public Transportation) This included a 20 – 25 minute wait on the street for #135. (an of the vehicles marked 135 will do, van, bus, etc.) Of course it being in the morning the buses were pretty full but we managed to get a seat. The ride took about 45 – 50 minutes, then there is a 15 minute walk to the Baby House. It is sort of in the country…maybe more like on the edge of town. We were in time to take a walk with The Fish Group, which is the group that we have supported for several years. There is a little deaf girl, Lena, that is cute as a button. Very bright, you can see in her eyes how intelligent and curious she is. There is also Joanna, they pronounce it “John-a”, she has some deformity in her feet so does not walk well. She has the brightest smile and will talk your ear off. She also says “sama” (pronounced ‘sah-mah’), in other words “by myself”. So anything there is to do, she wants to do “sama”! She is an attention grabber…if you don’t give her the attention that she thinks she needs…she will “grab” some from you. She is just a doll. My heart is very sad for her, she is at the age, 4 years, where they move to the next house. Unfortunately, that is not a good place to be here. She will be in a handicapped house where she is not very likely to get any attention, much less, “good” attention. My hope and consolation is that she is a “grabber” and perhaps she will grab the heart and attention of a good care provider and still manage to survive!

After we took a walk and then fed the children, it was time to go on. I must say, they have a system here that is very fast…feed ‘em and move ‘em on! I feed one child, while the rest of the group of 12 was feed by 3 teachers! They can shovel that food in fast! Then it was potty time…and nap time. So we left. Getting home was more exciting The transportation was full and we had to stand on the ride back. Imagine a wild ride at Six Flags with only one bar, over your head, to hold on to. You are standing in the van and can not see out of the windows so there is no way to know when a turn or stop is coming. All 12 seats were filled and there were 4 in the aisle. The driver is weaving to avoid pot holes, other vehicles, and traffic jams. Any one used to a JOY bus will know what it is like to get “bus legs” going. All the while being crammed up against who ever is sitting in the seat next to where you are standing. About 40 minutes into the ride I finally got a seat. We got off at Daffi and went to McD’s to eat.

After lunch…if you call McD’s real food…we were on our way to the Dawn. The ride to the Dawn was the second verse of our morning ride. The bus was packed and more people kept hopping on. It was a game of keep on pushing until we all fit! Then to my surprise, one of the boys on the bus, 12 years old, said he had my picture at his house. He was in a class I had 2 years ago in the public school. He still remembered me and the class! Rita thought that was so funny that on a random bus, in a city of 2 million people, I would find someone that knew me. (Rick would disagree, he thinks that happens a lot!)

We finally got to our destination, I did get a seat after about 20 minutes, it took about 40 minutes total time. We arrived at the Dawn and went to the market with the girls to buy swim suits for their camp. The girls were thrilled to be shopping. They all looked and tried on and looked and tried on and looked until all but one found a suit. She will keep looking and we will get it Friday when we come to get the other 10 girls their suits. It took extra long because I had to change money again, but we got a 4.71 ration instead of 4.5, and there was a line with the clerk who worked like Mrs. Whiggens on the Carol Burnet show with Tim Conway! After the suits we fulfilled the tradition by buying ice cream for the girls. They talked and decided to get the least expensive ice cream until I asked them which one they wanted. Then it was like a kid in a candy store…so many choices…so little time! To see their faces when they got to pick out the kind that they really liked instead of the kind that was the cheapest. (I did appreciate them being so thoughtful of the money…but…sometimes you get Blue Bell and sometimes you get WalMart brand! It was a Blue Bell day!)

We were also able to purchase 27 shirts for the Baby House while in the market. All in all it was a good shopping day. After leaving the market the girls did a model of their new suits. They were thrilled with the new items and very thankful to you all for your donations.

Tomorrow I will go to Tamara’s hospital #5 on the Left Bank. We will visit with the orphans, and do a small class for the older children outside. I am hoping that it will be good weather. Afterwards we will do another visit with one of the member families. Natasha and her twin girls. I am looking forward to seeing her. She is such a sweet mother and friend. Her girls are a year old and I know that I won’t recognize them at all.

I am blogging at Rita’s so I must get off the computer for now. I love you all. Maybe I will be able to skype tomorrow…it is another day!

peace and love in Him,
Jackie

This morning was a cool and cloudy morning. I started out with Psalms, Proverbs and Free Indeed and the Firemen. When Rita came by my flat she left a bag to put my laundry in, she has a washing machine so she washes the big stuff for me. That is such a blessing not tohave to wash everything in the bathtub.

Yesterday we went to see Larissa and Dema. We had a wonderful visit and talked a lot about how they came to know the Lord as a family. (She was walking by a school several years ago and heard English being spoken…the rest is history. She brought her daughter, Masha, back to experience hearing English spoken and I met her. I was invited to stay at their place the next year. A year later Larissa was baptized, a year after that Dema was baptized. They are close brothers and sisters to me.) Larissa made some homemade muffins that were delicious and we drank some compote (which is boiled fruit that is made into a juice) I think that compote is very good, depending on which fruit they put in it, sometimes it is better than others. Dema took us home in his car. I call it the “green bug” because it is very little and it is bright green. He has reconstructed it from a two door to four door car himself. He is very creative and clever with a welder! I was tired and got into bed soon after coming home. I have my lap top so I watched a movie while I was in bed “A River Runs Through It”…was okay…but a little on the slow side!

Back to today….we stopped by Tonya’s, the former church cleaning lady, house but she was not home. She doesn’t hear very well so she doesn’t always answer the phone. When she was not answering her door, we went over to Rita’s mom’s house. Zoya is quite a character. By the way, so far the squirrel has NOT died. Of course she has it on her balcony in a box with a soft bed and food brought to it a couple of times a day!! She said that she really wants it to live, so she keeps feeding it and babying it! Go figure!

Well, Zoya provided lunch for us. We had boiled potatoes with dill, fried zuchinni with mayonaise, hand made pizza and cucumbers. Sharon, I have to tell you, and you KNOW how I feel about Mayonaise…I ate mayo on zuchinni and on pizza! I have never before eaten pizza with chicken, peppers, catsup and mayonaise! Perhaps I will never have to again! I just thought you would get a kick out of me eating ANYTHING with mayo on it!

After lunch, we walked to the orphanage and got to see the girls. They have remodeled their living space. Now instead of one large room with all of the girls in it, they have a smaller living area with three rooms for the girls to live in. They are no more than four girls to a room. They seem to like the privacy much better, and I know that it is more like a real home than the dorm room before.

They had a ball trying to make friendship bracelets, I am terrible at it, and they got a lot of laughs at my expense! Then they tried to make the plastic thread keychain type strings and they were much more successful. (can you tell I can’t remember what they are called??) (The teachers have them at school aroung their necks with keys and I.D. on them!)
I just remembered…lanyards…I am not sure how to spell that word…but any way they loved making them!

We then called Natasha, the former interpreter who has twin girls (1 yr olds) to see if we could come by and visit her. Today was not a good day so we set an appointment to see her later this week. We also set an appointment to see the Dawn girls tomorrow and buy them swim suits for their summer in the forest. They will have flip flops and swimsuits for “camp”.  They are very excited about it all.

After all of that, we went to Rita’s place to eat dinner. She doesn’t really know how to use a crock pot, but she had cooked chicken in it (it was very good) and so we had some of that with cheese, bread, cucumbers, and lettuce. Tea and cookies were for dessert. A very nice end to the day. Then her son Artiom let me use his computer so that I could blog from here and not have to go to Daffi later! Thank you Tom!

Now it is time to catch a van home. Tomorrow will be a busy day. We are going to the Baby House in the morning and to the market with the Dawn girls in the afternoon. Afterwards we will have time for a class and some games with them!

So for now, I send my love and greetings to you all.

peace and love in Him,

Jackie

It is almost 5 p.m. in Ukraine and it is almost 9:00 a.m. in Texas. Our worship service is over and our lunch is long on the road to being digested. Yet my heart is thinking of my brothers and sisters in Christ just about to begin their time of worship and praise with each other. To think all over the world people are either starting, finishing, or waiting to begin a time with God and each other in fellowship. It makes me glad!

This morning I was listening to Free Indeed on my IPod (thank you Rick and my boys for such a thoughtful and useful gift!) and dancing with joy in the small kitchen in my flat. Just waking up and singing made my heart full. Jayne and I walked to the van stop and waited on transportation, we chatted and laughed together. When we reached the church building there were already a few members there. What joy to smile and hug each other and be glad that we were there together on the Lord’s day.

We started with Bible class for the adults, the children would come during the worship service, and would later enter into worship. We sang some songs that I am familiar with, my English easily mixing with the Russian words. Some songs I know but we sing differently (not everyone everywhere sings Casa/Meadow View versions of songs!) and it didn’t really seem to matter at all. The voices all seemed to blend together in sweet harmony. I did wish for Sharon, Ben, Steve, Ken, Cliff, Tracy, and Cathy to sing with me, but we did all right in spite of it all!!

The children came at 11 a.m. and we studied Joseph. Fairy, your “coat of many colors” craft was a hit. Also, Debbie, the “hidden picture” book was a definite “WOW” for them. The class was too short, but lots of fun. I look forward to doing it again and again until I go home.

I got to hear my sweet husbands voice this morning due to Skype and technology! It took two tries for me to talk to my Mom. There is a few second delay and so it is difficult to get it straight when you don’t realize there IS someone on the line, just be patient and they will hear you! I also got to talk to Karen Withrow and tried to reach Sharon Andersen but her phone would not accept “unknown” callers. So get the number from Karen and you can try it any time…I just might be on and be able to talk to you!

I am going to visit Dema and Larissa this afternoon after 6 p.m. here. He is my brother and I love him as if he were my biological brother. He is experiencing some growing pains in the Lord and some difficulties and I would appreciate you all praying for him and for Larissa. They are special!

Bob, Sue, Trey and new sweet wife Holly…I am SO sorry to have missed your wedding…I was with you in spirit!

Graduates! I am SO sorry to have missed your reception…congratulations…and go forth with the Word!

I must go for now…know that I love you and I appreciate your covering of prayers on my behalf on a daily basis.

much love and peace in Him,
Jackie

What a great tea time we had! Nineteen ladies (and one baby boy) came to the Ladies Fantastic Tea. We had a great time of fellowship together. We feasted together on crackers, cheese, bread, cookies, and a tea mixture made by Rita. It was a combination of Cherry juice, black tea, pomegranate syrup (should have been vanilla Rita says) with slices of oranges and lemons in the glass. It was very delicious and enjoyed by all.

Then we feasted in songs of praise with all of the sweet voices raised together in Russian and English mixing together. Afterwards we feasted on the Word! What a great day!

There were several ladies who have not been in attendance for months, it was good to see them. Raisa brought flowers from her garden…I think they were Peonies…they were beautiful. Irina, the preachers wife, brought Daisy’s for the table as well. God was well represented by His creation in flowers and ladies!

Afterwards we went to Friday’s to use the WIFI and Skype. And of course it was not that easy! Does Jackie have the microphone for the computer??? NOOOOOOOOO….she does NOT! So, still, I cannot call my husband on Skype! Maybe before I go home I will get my ENTIRE act together and be able to call and tell him, and who ever else I can get ahold of that I love them.

I have greetings from the congregation that meets on Kirov Avenue. (they do not like to be called Kirov church of Christ because he was a communist and they don’t want that connotation to be with them!) Nadezhda, the oldest member in the congregation, send her greetings and thanks for your help in sending me to them. She wants to let you know how much they appreciate all of your help and contributions. I continually tell them what a great body of believers I fellowship with. They just wanted you to know they send their greetings and love to you all.

I also wanted to tell you of Rita’s mom. She is an animal lover extraordinaire (sp.)…so much so that she was bitten by a squirrel that she had been feeding from her balcony. If it dies within 5 days she must undergo a series of 60 shots for rabies…if it lives she will just have the bite treated. Zoya is such a sweet lady, please pray that the squirrel lives! And of course that Zoya’s hand will be okay! I wish you could all meet her and get that special hug that she gives!

I send my greetings and my love. I must sign off for now!

peace and love of Christ,
Jackie

Today was another busy day at school. We got there at 10 a.m. and started our first class shortly after. I had three classes again today, all elementary grades. They were very charming and a lot of fun to work with.

Merilee — the teacher who had the very poor classroom has completely changed! The classroom is full of light and has toys and puppets and lots of bright colors, etc. (I pray that in part it is the last class we did for her that helped her make up her mind to change!) Her children were delightful to work with, and they were very eager to learn. All of the classes loved my bright bird, he was “The Word Bird” and they all had to teach him something in English. It was a lot of fun.

I had one class with three unruly children and no interpreter (I’ll explain in a minute). They were going to misbehave and be loud, etc. Well I whipped out my stickers and promptly put some in front of the children who were sitting still. Voila’, it was amazing, they could all be quiet even without benefit of an interpreter. I eventually was able to incorporate all three of them into a “helper” role with something else!

Now…as to why I didn’t have an interpreter with me…we started to take pictures and realized that the camera wasn’t with us. It had been left behind! My fault completely! I was a little heart sick at the thought of losing my camera, but more so at losing all the pictures on the card! The Lord is faithful, even when I am careless, and it was found in the teachers room amongst the backpacks of the teens hanging out there! Thank you, Lord, You know I needed/wanted that camera and you took care of me even when I didn’t know I needed it!

We got some rain today so it has cooled off some. I was able to get to Daffi and WIFI and get some food supplies. The food when you eat out is very expensive, I think moreso than the places that I eat at home. And having to feed my interpreter as well, I cook at my flat as much as possible. The transportation has gone from 1 grevna per person to two grevna per person on the vans and buses. The taxi’s have gone from 5 – 6 grevna for short trips to 15 – 30 grevna. One dollar is not exchanging for 4.50 grevna. It was changing on Monday at 4.65 per dollar. So as we speak I am getting less for my money!

That makes me even more aware of how blessed I am to have all the support of Meadow View! Again,,,Thank you!!

We are going to have a “Fantastic Tea” for the Ladies Class on Saturday. We will have a study then fellowship with a Tea. Rita is making a concoction from Friday’s that includes tea, juices, syrups, and fruit slices…we shall see! I’m sure it will be delicious!

I have to go before my battery dies…I will charge it up at my flat later!

Know that I love you all and appreciate your covering in prayer!

Peace and the love of Christ,
Jackie

I am just a little frustrated at this point! I just spent 20 minutes writing my blog…was kicked out of the system…and have to start all over! AGHHHH! Oh well…

Staci K — They let the people plug into the outlets now! It is very interesting! I am here at Daffi trying to WIFI and having only a little trouble!

The Tuesday was busy. We spent time getting together the schedule at my flat. Then we went to TGIFridays where Rita works now. We took pictures and the menu I brought from the States. They loved it and wanted lots of information about home. Then we took pictures, etc. to take back home. One of the top managers comped our meal at IL Patio Italian Restaurante. It was quite good.

After that we went on our first visit with one of the members. We stayed till after 7 p.m. with her. Visiting, encouraging and reading the Word with her. She is a very sweet sister who loves to learn about the Word. She was very interesting and it was an enjoyable stay.

On the way home my foot was caught in the door of the bus when it swung open. (there is a little wheel well where my foot was NOT supposed to be! Finally the door closed and I was able to get my foot out. I really thought it was going to break it! WOW that hurt. Only a little sore today, thank you God!

Today we went to Tanya’s school and had four 45 minute classes. It was very nice. The children were very attentive and active. The teachers came into the room with us and observed all that was going on and everyone had a lot of fun. We played games…. Debbie…I found out how to use those Kooky Critters…they were a big hit! The children gave me a Ukrainian cutting board with folk painting  on it. It is beautiful.

We are on our way to do some shopping for diapers and things for the Hospital and possible the Baby House. Lots to do and not much time.

I love you all and send my greetings,

Jackie

Rick….I did not get the Skype information you thought I should have…sorry! Can you keep looking for me? LOVE you more than you know!

I made it just fine all the way to Dnepropetrovsk…didn’t lose any baggage…didn’t get bumped off of a plane…didn’t have to listen to screaming babies for eight hours…what more could I ask? The plane ride was very bumpy due to terrible weather and the fact that I was sitting one row from the bulk head…every single motion of the plane I felt and can almost still feel! On top of that, the Lord had plans for me to sleep and not to watch the boob tube. My individual little screen (and the 7 others close to it) did not work. So it seems I was meant to sleep at least for a little while. Got into Dnep and was met by the same Customs guy as I’ve had beforfe. He took one look at me and said “You!” and shook his head. Then he looked a little at my stuff and waved his hand and dismissed me. So Customs was very smooth! I am at the Daffi where they have WIFI and I am actually at the Gamers Internet Cafe…I know that LeRoy is jealous!…but it is a little smokey for my taste, but I will be finished very soon so it shouldn’t matter! Maybe later I will be able to get WIFI from the area downstairs…Any way…I am fixing to crash, so I will sign off for now and save blogging for another day! Keep posting!

Jackie