More Pictures from Last Week

Abbie and the Boys

July 30

Hi Friends and Family,

Long time no blog! We haven't been able to spend the time we would like to blog lately and will be out most of next week in Bila Tserkva without a computer connection so we thought we had better at least check in.

It is Sunday night in Kyiv and we just returned from a day in Bila Tserkva (BT), traveling on what we affectionately called the "Maniac's Marshootka." A marshootka is the Ukrainian name for the van's that take people back and forth from Kyiv to other cities. It costs $2 per person each way, Abbie doesn't count. They are crowded, but you do get a seat. We sat in the back today and BOY was it a ride! The driver was in some kind of a hurry tonight, taxi drivers in New York would have a hard time keeping up with him! Abbie gleefuly yelled "wheeeee!" much of the time as each bump (and there are many) was taken at full speed ahead. And lets just say that the car pool lane is any spot on the road that happens to be open, regardless of side or lines. I thought we may get an inside look at a Ukrainian hospital today, but we made it back to Kyiv without any scrapes (just a neck ache which we promptly treated with Ibuprofen!). The ride usually takes about 1 1/2 hours, but I think we made it home in just over an hour today. We were so happy when we got on the van because the vent on top was open and there was a delightful breeze. However, in Ukraine there is this belief that germs are caught when in any type of draft, especially those coming from open windows. So, our source of air conditioning was shut for most of the ride. We learned later that the woman who shut it was worried that Abbie might get sick!

So, we are happy to be back in the apartment. We will go back tomorrow for the week. We'll be staying at Betty and Joe Cannon's place while they are in Belgium for a week . They are a lovely couple from Memphis who live in BT a large part of the year. They are both in their 70's but you only know it because they tell you! We have enjoyed hearing about their adventures on the mission field and have learned a lot from their experiences here in Ukraine. Abigail is thrilled that we get to house sit, as they have a kitten who she enjoys tormenting. Poor thing! It will be an educational week, I have a feeling Abbie is going to experience her first cat scratch. This town does not have any hot water this summer, so we are bracing ourselves for some quick and refreshing showers. Please pray that the fish in the tank here in Kyiv that we are taking care of do not die while we are gone. The owners know that we are going and have asked us to double up on the food today and tommorow, but we came home tonight and the tank light is out. I hope that doesn't cause a huge problem....

Wednesday and Thursday we helped in the Ukranian Education Center (UEC). What a wonderful place! Scott and I took turns helping move books and we both found ourselves wanting to sit down and read many of them! They have a library full of materials helpful for young professionals, students, learners! It was wonderful to see so many people coming to access the resources there. They also offer English classes and resources as an outreach. The center is equiped with a kitchen and several rooms for classes or study groups. Chris Lovingood helped get the center off the ground about five years ago and he and his wife Lena have devoted themselves full time to this wonderful ministry. We are staying in their apartment (they are staying at the UEC!). We have really enjoyed getting to know them and the staff at the UEC.

On Friday we had dinner with Grady and Lena Bryan and their three boys. Abbie was in heaven! The boys are 6 and 5- thats right, folks! Twin 6 yr. old boys and a 5 yr. old boy. I used to think Abbie had a lot of energy. Grady teaches at the International Christian University here in Kyiv. He and Scott were friends when Scott lived here in the 90's. It was great to hear from Grady and Lena about ministry in Kyiv and what is working and what hasn't worked in the past. Their boys were about as adorable as you can imagine with their Ukrainian accents and perfect English. By the end of the evening Abbie had "adopted" a plastic alligator as her "baby"- complete with time outs and hugs and kisses. Grady had constructed a jungle gym in the boy's room which we think is brilliant. We lost track of time and left their house after 10 pm...no wonder the kids were climbing the walls!

Saturday we had Zoya over to eat dinner with us. Zoya is an active member in the church here in Kyiv that meets in Livoberezhna. We had a great time talking to her and getting her perspective on church from a Ukrainian point of view. It was very insightful. Zoya is a young and successful lawyer so she is able to articulate very well. I attempted to make chocolate chip cookies and it worked out okay. The ovens here don't have temperature gauges. You have to cook by smell! Fortunately, the fresh fruit here is excellent, and we had a great dessert of fresh fruit and vanilla ice cream.

So now we are back to Sunday. We went to BT today for church and had lunch with the Let's Start Talking team, the Cannons, the Phelps (Peace Corps) and Nita. Nita is the woman who started "God's Hidden Treasures", a ministry to the handicapped. We had a VERY interesting talk with her (Abbie was asleep in the stroller!) and learned so much about where God has led the work. She even has a Medical Mobile Unit that goes out! I was floored by that. She also helped start a Stroke Rehab program and a Diabetes Education Program, things that are way ahead of the medical care here. For some reason, the medical system here has not evolved as quickly as the other parts of the society has. She has also "rescued" some of the orphans out of the mental health institutions and given them jobs and a life. Her home base is Thousand Oaks, so we are hoping to connect with her some more once we get back to California.

Well, I think that should hold you over for a few days. We are grateful for your prayers and excited about how God seems to be filling our schedule. We know that we could not be here without that. Much love and we look forward to checking in again!

The Broadways