“Hooray, Bryan finally wrote a blog!!!”
Sorry for the delay folks.
This month here in Lugansk, Ukraine has been one of constant refreshment and great experiences. So much has happened. And due to my lack of keeping my blog up to date, I fear it would take hours to compose even the gist of what the Lord is doing and how He is moving amongst my team, my new friends and family here, and myself. So I’ll give you readers a brief rundown of how these last few days have gone.
Earlier this week, my team and I split up amongst 3 different families in a town 40 minutes away from our host home. Not too far from the Russian border. These people loved on us and made sure our bellies were full in every waking moment. If you are aware of the appetite of hobbits as described in Lord of the Rings, the similarity is spot on. Our every need was taken care of without hesitation or even the slightest notion of hindrance or annoyance. Blessed is the only word that readily comes to mind.
Our days typically went like this:
8am- Wake up
8:15-9:00am – Breakfast/Coffee/Tea
9:30am- Construction at local church/ Free eye glass clinics within the church
11am- Tea and snacks
11:30am- Back to work
12:30am- Lunch
1:30pm- Maybe go back to work, or maybe not and just fellowship and play around.
2:30pm- Team Meeting
3:40pm- Leave for softball ministry
4ishpm- Arrive at softball field/soccer field.
4:30pm- Start practice and different drills.
5:34pm- A kid gets drilled in the head by a bad throw or pop-fly.
5:34pm- That kid is tough as nails, shakes it off, and keeps playing like a boss.
6:00pm- Break/Share testimonies
6:30pm- Everyone gets split up into two or three teams
6:40-8:30ish pm- Play game until it is too dark to safely play.
8:30ish to 9ishpm- Keep playing anyway.
A variety of things occurred each night after softball was over. Occasionally we’d have a movie night set up out on the field, or a chili night, or go lay out on the field and watch shooting stars and satellites dart across the sky. And then we’d always come home to more food, tea, and sweets.
Ukraine has far more character and vitality than I ever could have guessed. The people are one of a kind. The food is amazing (and a lot healthier than anything the States has to offer.) The language barrier has become more of a fun experience than an obstacle. All around me, I can’t help but see the potential for growth. This is the first country I’ve been too that has stirred me up enough to actually make me want to possibly live here one day. While that is still a far-fetched thought in the making, Ukraine has found a place in my heart. There is no doubt about that.
And to those of you who read my blogs and want to continue being apart of this journey with me, I promise to post my experiences more often, with more specifics and more detail on what the Lord is doing in my life and in of those around me.
… And if you’re wondering about my first month of the Race in Ireland…
All I can say is that I will try to tackle that bear of story as soon as I can.
I love you all!
In His Strength…
