Adventures in Ukraine

Today is Monday, June the 9, and I am in Vienna, Austria. Sunday was a busy day of tears and goodbyes and ’till we meet agains’. The Bible class was well attended, and the second hour, of preaching, was done by an American who is trying to rehabilitate the Christian College here. He, apparently, preached a good sermon for everyone. We were in children’s classes so did not get to hear him. After wards there were many tears and many hugs and many “give our greetings to…” on all sides.

The ladies here repeatedly said “tell you church thank you” , “tell your husband thank you”, “tell your family thank you”…

So here it is THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

You all are much loved and thanked by me and by your brothers and sisters in Ukraine. I have had a wonderful time here. I think the time was productive and well used. Of course, I always feel like I could have/ should have done more while I was here….but I do what I can! I thank God for the beautiful weather, it was so nice and not too hot or too cold. I kind of enjoyed His A/C while I was here!

Expenses were much higher than in previous years, inflation…exchange rate ratios…price increases on food, etc….but I was still able to leave some money here that will be used this winter for the orphans in the Dawn, the Baby House, and the Childrens Hospital. I had many opportunities to visit with the people in this congregation and encourage them to continue on in their battle, not with flesh and blood, but with the darkness that rules this world! I hope that the words of encouragement reached their mark and were healing. I hope that the Ladies Bible classes were helpful and strengthening in their faith. If that is true, I believe I have done what you all sent me to do. Children were loved on, ladies were fellowshipped with, brothers and sisters were encouraged, Jesus was preached!

I am in Vienna and the weather is holding out to the good. No storms cancelling flights, no heat that is unbearable! They are having soccer “things” here, so the city is full of tourists. In other words, Jackie is not leaving the Fischmein hotel to go into Vienna! I met a Presbyterian minister who was teaching at the Baptist Christian College in Zaparosia. I helped him figure out his hotel accomadations and get to his transportation site. We are staying at the same hotel We walked into town together and had a very pleasant meal at The Green Door. It was so nice to eat  with someone whose native language is English! Although he is Canadian, I could understand every word that he said!   And after a 2 1/2 hour flight sitting next to a Russian man who needs to be “Sure” (as in ‘raise your hand if you are Sure), he was a pleasant person to eat with.

Now I am getting the concert from the people upstairs. So hopefully they will quieten down soon and I will be able to sleep tonight. Tomorrow will be a long day. I arrive in Texas around 7:30 p.m. and I am really looking forward to seeing my family and the friends who come to the airport!

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

Jackie