The World Race is not for the faint of
heart. I heard this going in, and now I am beginning to discover what
that means. At this point, I have been traveling for nearly two days
straight �” flying into JFK airport in New York on Tuesday, staying
the night in a hotel then returning the next morning to JFK to fly to
Paris, France, and then on to Kiev, Ukraine. Our squad initially met
together at JFK around noon on Wednesday, spent most the day hanging
out in the airport together, then were divided among three
approximately six-hour flights to Paris, the first departing at
4:40pm and the last at 7pm. We had about a three-hour layover in
Paris, and then we all flew together to Kiev, a three-hour flight.
During both the flights, I was seated on an aisle seat, so sleeping
was difficult. Once in Kiev, teams began splitting up �” a few
stayed in Kiev, while three others (mine included) boarded a bus for
an hour-long bus ride to the main train station in the city. Kiev is
seven hours ahead of Eastern Time, so we lost some time in flight. By
the time we arrived at the train station, it was about 7pm local
time. We broke for dinner then waited another hour or two before
splitting up yet again, as my team and I got on an overnight train
for a 9-hour ride to Loutz, Ukraine, where we will be working with a
YWAM plant for the duration of our time in Ukraine. We all have
become increasingly exhausted throughout this travel ordeal. By the
time I boarded the train, I felt like I had had about all I could
take. Not understanding the authorities in charge of directing us on
the train nor the fellow occupants of my room was my final straw. I
broke down crying, yet at this point is where I began to truly see
God provide (not that He hadn’t been already). One guy standing near
the doorway to my room stepped in to translate between myself and the
ladies in the room (to whom I believe he was related) so that we
could get everything arranged in the room. Another guy standing there
is in his last week of 27 months in the Ukraine with the Peace Corps.
We found out that his name is Adam, and he gave some encouraging
words of advice for us for our time in Ukraine and the coming months
as well, as well as helping us some once we got off the train.
Furthermore, my team leader (Sydney Sample, God bless her) came by
and asked if I wanted to come to her room and hang out and talk. She
and one of my other teammates were sharing a room a few cars down
from me, so I got to go on an adventure moving between train cars.
They were sharing a room with a couple who were very friendly, and
the girl spoke decent English. Their names were Alex and Alida (I
think that was her name; it was quite an usual name.) We had some
good laughs and discussion, and they were even kind enough to share
with us some extra Ukrainian food they had. Once I got back to my
room a little later, I began thinking that it was rather interesting
that the names of the three most influential people for us,
especially me, for the evening began with an “A.� I asked God if
there was any significance to this, and the idea that Christ is
called the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, came to mind. I
believe God is telling me that He is with me here in the beginning,
and He will be with me all the way to the end. Beyond that, we were
told at training camp that thankfulness can change an atmosphere.
When I felt at my weakest, I began to count the blessings of the
journey �” no one has gotten hurt, everyone has made it safely to
where we were supposed to go, nothing has been stolen, weather has
been decent…I could keep going, but it truly was amazing how just
counting these little blessings helped so much. And as I was counting
blessings, the carbonated water I had put in my Nalgene began to
build up pressure. Before I knew it, I had a fountain of carbonated
water spewing from my Nalgene. I just began laughing, because it
reminded me of the spewing drinks typically associated with
celebrating special occasions. I decided that this occasion was
welcome to Ukraine!
And my God shall supply all your
need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. �”
Philippians 4:19
