Lugansk, Ukraine
For the month of May, we worked with a missionary family originally from Texas, but have been living in Lugansk, Ukraine for the past handful of years. Since moving to Ukraine, Bruce has started free eye glass clinics that are set up in churches in Lugansk and surrounding areas.
Unfortunately this is not a blog about how I became Dr. Catherine Rosselli, making the blind see, one clinic at a time. Or is it? Well, don't call me doctor because I didn't exam one eyeball the entire month. My main role at the clinics was to tell people about Jesus, not an easy role seeing how I don't speak a lick of Russian.
One of my favorite things about the race is art of trying to communicate with hand motions and props in order to hopefully somehow get across what you're trying to say. The best part in the conversation is when someone thinks Russian becomes easier to understand if it's spoken louder and slower, then repeated at least three times.
Our contact Bruce so kindly took on the role of translator. People heard about Jesus as they waited for their eye appointment. My favorite parts of the clinics were when the patients wanted us to sing worship songs (I learned to love my window-breaking voice) and when they wanted to know about what God has done in my life. I love telling people why I love them, why they're worth coming to meet, and that God has not forgotten them.
Ukraine is a heavy country; it hits you hard upon your arrival. The people there, especially the Christians, have suffered a lot of oppression over the recent years. Despite the oppression, the Ukrainian followers of Christ are some of the most joyful people I have encountered, always ready to sing spontaneous praises and invite you in for a cup of tea.
