Adventures in Ukraine

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