If I could tell you the name of the town that I’m in, I would…sadly I can’t pronounce it, let alone type it. My team is currently in southern Ukraine camping in a beautiful valley and helping out around the camp as needed. (We’re somewhere outside of Bahchesiry) I’m still trying to figure out the gender roles here, but the main surprise that I’ve had so far is that as a woman I’m not allowed to do manual labor. The guys have been outside working most of each day moving things, building things, and ya know being men. The women on the other hand have been much less active. We help in the kitchen a lot and have been able to help clean up around the campsite before the kids arrived, but manual labor is apparently not in our role here. We’ve tried a few different times to help the guys out and have come to realize that no, in fact we’re really not allowed. It’s a new concept for me though because if I can help with something I want to be able to. I know that God is using this to stretch my heart in new ways, but sheesh, I didn’t realize that He was going to start challenging like this so early on!
Team Cheetahs is still doing great! We laugh…a lot. Ok, or maybe I just laugh at everything =) either way, we’re having fun in the midst of the men doing lots of work! I love that God has brought together many different personalities and molded them in such a way that we can openly communicate and challenge one another. I’m sure we will have trying times ahead, but I have complete faith in this team that God has blessed me with.
I did realize that I forgot to mention in my last blog that Keri was not able to come with us. Her knee was not fully healed and she was still on crutches so she will be leaving on the World Race in September. We miss her, but we know that this is God’s plan and that He has something amazing in store for her and her new team.
Each day holds new experiences and I can’t wait to see what all we will be able to do here!
To everyone that has partnered with me on this financially and in prayer, THANK YOU! To those of you that donated with a week or so of me leaving, I really do appreciate it and I’m so sorry that I never got letters out to you before I leave. It means so much to me that you all are willing to partner with me on this journey!!
