Well a lot has happened since I last updated this blog. Wow its been around two months or so. I've been spending the last few months in Ukraine and Moldova. I managed to impale myself on a fence, terrify about thirty children, teach several english classes, swim in the dead sea with jellyfish, and play the keyboard in a church with smoke and lazers. Its been quite the adventure.
The kids camp in Ukraine was pretty awesome. My team had to dress up as J.I. Joe's and try to catch the pirate kids. We may have been a little over zelous at times. However, the kids had a great time and the church was really happy to have us there. The adult english class was also really fun. We sang songs, told Bible stories, and had projects for the classes.
Moldova has been similar. We've taught a lot of english classes and had really good one on one conversations with people. Everyone is incredibly welcoming. I think i've been to five different people's homes and made tons of friends. There is a strong desire to learn english here that I didn't expect. Both Ukraine and Moldova have people everywhere who want to practice their english. I haven't ever really run into that in America. I don't see many people teaching spanish classes or practicing french in public places.
Spiritually, I've really begun to appreciate the unique character traits thqat each person brings to this race. Its easy for me to slip into the idea that I need to be like someone else instead of adapting and learning from other peoples skills and life experiences. There are always places I can improve, but that doesn't mean that I need to be similar to someone else. Those sorts of things are always encouraging.
This race has been awesome. Meeting people from all over the world and hearing their wisdom and life experiences has already made this trip completely worth it. I'm eating everyones leftovers and walking around cities that many people don't even know exsist. God's blessings are great. And there are gummy bears everywhere.
