After a week of sickness that included missing out on a movie night and the one event I was excited about, PhotoQuest, I simply could not stand being in our one room apartment any longer. My teammate Amanda, also couped up because of a twisted ankle, and I jumped at the opportunity to get out. The others didn’t protest since it would mean much needed rest for them as well. Win, win, win situation!That was the night I met Galia, an energetic, fun, intelligent, compassionate, extreme sports kind of girl, who, unbeknownst to either of us, would become one of my favorite new friends from my year abroad.
It was also the evening I first had the opportunity to spend time with Julie, see her love and passion for the students whom she works among, and who would become another new favorite friend with her love of sunshine and her plans for an army of small people that will take over the world.
It was a pleasant evening filled with hot tea, a cozy atmosphere and an inductive study of a passage from Luke.
The inductive method gives everyone a chance to read through the passage and make observations of the details that stand out to the person individually and an opportunity to see what questions it brings up before approaching the passage as a group. This way the processors, like me, have a few quiet moments to formulate thoughts and questions. It also assures that everyone has a chance to contribute and learn to study the Bible. At the end each member takes a few moments to come up with what he/she sees as an application from the passage. Plus colored pencils are involved! In short, I am a big fan.
After tackling Luke we enjoyed some light-hearted fellowship.
During our discussions the topic of food surfaced, as it so often does. When questioned about the best place to try borscht Galia proposed that her home was the tastiest place in Kiev. Further discussions led to me and Amanda trying to find somewhere to do laundry when again Galia piped up with the answer and came to our rescue. Her proposal? Laundry at her home later in the week after having some nice home made borscht for supper.
And so my love for Ukraine began with an inductive Bible study, hot tea, and an invitation…
