Ukraine!
This last month was incredible. The people of Ukraine are the most hospitable and loving people ever. Who knew?! I encountered love in crazy ways and would love to go back to Ukraine some day for the people alone. It was Q, Pris, and I’s first month alone as being squad leaders. We stayed together and traveled together all month so our bond is tighter than ever. I am so thankful for those two women. The three of us are so different in every way almost, but our spirits are intertwined now. I can’t imagine leading with anyone else.
This last month…
We participated in leading our first debrief: humility, challenges, and growth happened very abruptly
I rode more trains than I ever have and probably more than I ever will again: A few were overnight trains, some were for four hours or less, some had comfy velvety seats, and others had picnic benches. Each train was different but my favorite was the Russian one from Bucharest, Romania to Kiev, Ukraine, it was 27 hours of just napping, eating, and goofing around- my kind of day definitely
I read and finished Spiritual Slavery to Spiritual Sonship by Jack Frost: wrecked me, changed my life, and now I want everyone to FEEL my Father’s love deep in their heart the way I do now
I helped organize a library of apologetics
I participated in teaching English to kids from the village in Rivne: this was done in tents resembling a combination of the ones in the military (think M.A.S.H) and carnival ones.
Had traditional meals in a Ukrainian home in the village: one of my favorite parts of this month
Got rejected when I went in for a hug: three times in a row in the same day, by the same old man, I was determined and eventually just laid my head on his shoulder- awkward? Possibly, but that’s me!
Went rollerblading on an outside rink: so fun! Then later on I watched drunk people skate around and fall, apparently it’s the thing to do on late nights in Rivne
I mailed my tent home!: I’m a little nervous but took a leap of faith and I am trusting that I can either shack up with someone or have a bed: squad leaders don’t stay anywhere more than a week usually so the loss of four pounds in my pack has been glorious on travel days- SO WORTH IT
I stayed up until 4 am three nights in a row just chatting about life and sharing my story: welcome to life on the race!
Watched a “football” game in an Irish pub
Had coffee with some hs girls in Kolomiya: they stole my heart
Ate the most AMAZING food that I have had on the race in this country
Played volleyball against hs boys and girls: I spiked the ball and did a victory dance, everyone was shocked, I sometimes forget I am in public
I was forced to TRULY rely on God and TRUST in His plan: a guy on our squad, Ryan Miller, went home and a lot of team changes occurred. Lots of fasting and just listening
I fell in love with Tolac, a dad who was hosting one of our teams in Kolomiya: spending 5 days with him was by far my favorite part of this month
Watched our drunk train attendant fall over and hit the table in front of us: without putting his hands out or anything to stop himself…
I can confidently say that I can navigate through any train, metro, or bus station in Ukraine, or Europe even!
I had my first experience of having diarrhea in a squatty potty: yikes, I will never forget that place
Moved wood back and forth: then had to move it somewhere else after all that, ay yi yi
Dug a trench/ditch thing to connect a cabin to electricity and LOVED it
We started a game in Honduras called "What Would You Use?": it has to do with going to the bathroom, what would you use if you didn't have toilet paper…well, I had to actually play that game. I used an eye mask that the lovely Turkish Airlines handed out to us, it worked rather well and I received a new one recently so all is well 🙂
Had another experience of speaking truth: realized that I am a fierce and fiery woman of God, a she-hulk if you will (thanks Kevin, it all makes sense now, hopefully I can tell you about your prophecy and how it confirmed and comforted me). When the spirit wants to speak through me, it can be soft, tender, and peaceful, or it can be stirred by a righteous indignation and accompanied with pounding my fists. Who am I now?!
Got my haircut and nails painted (with glitter): I am not a glitter girl, but I chose to add glitter in honor of my newness haha
FOUND OUT I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNTIE!!!!!
Went to a WWII museum in Kiev and went to the ballet: the museum was beautiful and moving, and the ballet was so good I struggled to sit quietly in my seat. It was “Radio and Juliet” the story of Romeo and Juliet set to Radiohead’s music. It was creepy and twisted and weird, right up my alley, and it reminded me of Sonia’s choreography from So You Think You Can Dance
This month was amazing, but the thing that really changed my life this month was the journey of God walking with me and convincing me that I am His. I have always said that I "knew" I was a child of God, but I didn’t "know" it in my heart. So this month was the process of it slowly trickling down from my head to my heart. Last night, on the plane to Africa, it finally landed. As crazy as it sounds, God met me on the plane while everyone was asleep and spoke intimate words to me through an album by Laura Hackett. I was weeping and laughing and just in awe of how loved I felt. I have crossed over and into an even deeper level of intimacy with Him. I am His daughter and we walk closely together. (More on that in another blog to come!)
Now, we are in AFRICA!!! I have dreamed of this day forever, that’s a lie, I have only recently wanted to go since last year. But, Africa is where I felt called to when God started speaking to me about doing missions. So, here I am. I am expecting BIG crazy things to go down and for things to SHAKE. I feel home here already, and it’s not just because I love black people ;). We are in Tanzania and for the first two weeks I will be in Eden Sumbawam!!! No idea where that is or anything but I am stoked.
Love you all SO much.
Shout out to my sissy and bro j: can’t wait for my beautiful mixed caramel nephew, niece, or twins to enter into this world!!!
ps: sorry for no pictures, the internet isn't uploading, so words is all you get, use your imagination 😉
