it’s a new playing field, not so foreign like Africa or Asia. We’re in Europe now, so much more like home and what’s ordinary. But I have something new in my heart, a growing triumph through struggles I’ve come across this year. 
What will be different this time around?
We landed in Kyiv in a sea of black and braids as hundreds of Hasidic Jews arrived to the city and flooded customs as our World Race team of 50something pushed though. Things are starting to look more familiar as we depart for the city. As we drive excitement grows as I know we’ll be spending the month in a city. FINALLY! Growing up and living a city all my life, I’ve been waiting all year to have a city to live in (I’ve had my fill of the village for a while).
We were working with CCX who works with university students.
“Uh, oh. I’m going to have a month of hanging out with students and being sociable…we’ll have to see how well I’ve overcome that hurdle in my life as the month progresses”, I thought in my head.
It’s hard to get into the swing of things when you have a crippling over-thinking mental struggle. When you’re in front of a challenge, there’s this big black cloud in your face. As I look into someones eyes and try hard to listen, the narrative in my head screams, “run, get out of here, you don’t know what to say, you’re not relating”. But I dove in anyway, ready for the task before me.
There’s progress and I’m pleased. But one day changed the course of the month. We had a photo scavenger hunt and I got a lot more comfortable. “ok. I can do this thing.”
Sometimes the conversations were meaningful, sometimes they were just for fun, some made an impact that will last for years, other fainted as the night went on.
But the conversations happened.
I was in them.
I didn’t let them rule me.
A month of purely social ministry.
I conquered.
