Heyya, Folks!
Here’s a short essay that I hope you enjoy! It’s a day of life in Ukraine. God was so good through the month I stayed there and I will definitely cherish each memory from the small town of Zdolbunov. Get comfortable, grab some coffee if need be, and prepare to be submersed into a day of life on the field!
Imagine yourself in a bed. It’s a pretty nice bed, save the fact that it’s an air mattress, and from it you can see the outline of a dark room. It’s already 6:30 in the morning, but the sun won’t rise for nearly another hour and a half. You rise slowly, since air beds are noisy and your teammate is fast asleep only a few inches away. You look out the room’s only window to see two large smoke-stacks on the horizon. Endless clouds of smoke. Isn’t it mesmerizing? Out the room you go and walk down the dark hallway where you will be met by a true obstacle. A staircase steep enough to rival the path to Mordor. Careful here. One false move and you’ll wake the whole household.
Praise be to God, you made it to the bottom! Now sit down at the table. Take a moment. That journey was stressful. There’s a fresh kettle of tea waiting and the Father beckons you into morning fellowship with Him. Time passes. Slowly the house begins to stir and the sacred silence is broken. That’s okay, though, because the people waking are family. One after one, my teammates descend those deadly stairs, each person identifiable by the sound of their footsteps. Before long the family you are living with starts to stir and you are greeted by a groggy, “Dobroho Ranku,” as they wipe the sleep from their eyes. It’s a tight squeeze around the table, but it’s okay because you’re shoulder to shoulder with people you love.
Quick now! Clean your mug, lace your shows, grab an extra layer and open the front door to the crisp welcome of winter. There’s not much time! It’s only eight in the morning, but classes start in half an hour at the school where you will be teaching English. Your team walks at a brisk pace and, before you know it, you are being greeted by dozens of children saying, “Hello, how are you,” each laced in an unmistakable Ukrainian accent. Keep that wit and smile close, dear friend, because for the next four hours you will be in and out of many classrooms, each an adventure unto itself! Sometimes you’ll play games, sometimes you’ll actually teach English, sometimes you’ll play games that teach English; regardless, be prepared! The only thing you can be sure of is that there is much excitement ahead.
Well, four hours flew by and it’s now a quarter to 1:00. Rally the troops! It’s time to face that bitter cold again. Half an hour finds you back in the toasty warm home of your lovely family and hot soup is simmering on the stove. Brave those treacherous steps again, it’s time to have some fellowship as a team. O, friend enjoy the sweet fellowship with your family in this sanctuary, for that is what this house, that was once so strange, has now become. A place of peace to forge bonds of love and intimacy with your family. Cherish the memories made here. Hold them close, never wishing one second to it’s end. This time is the Father’s gift.
“Come to eat!” There’s that unmistakable accent! The aroma of soup overwhelms your senses as you and your teammates cram around the table with four giddy children, eager to fill their bellies with the afternoon brew. Quickly, though! There’s not much time to lose. Before long there will be children waiting at church for another English lesson. They are all eager to see you again and excited to learn a few more sentences of English.
You arrive a little stiff. For one it is a bit chilly, but also the six of you were all crammed into a car to reach your destination. Familiar faces greet you at the churches gate and before you know it you are knee deep into a lesson you had only moments to prepare for. But that is okay! What matters is that with each passing day you are making relationships with these kids as you laugh and play games despite the fact that you can barely understand one another. Again, my friend, praise your Father for this sweet time. You know in your heart it has surpassed any expectation you had and exceeded any prayer you might have prayed. This time is a gift.
The night winds down as you head home where dinner is waiting. As the meal concludes, friends from church stop by for fellowship and laughter. They’ll be here for awhile, so muzzle that yawn. I know you are exhausted, friend, but this time is too sweet to sacrifice for a few extra moments of sleep. Stay awake a little longer.
The day concludes as your brave those formidable stairs for the last time. You rest in the company of your family, relating individual story’s of the day. O, dear friend, can’t you feel the Father’s spirit here? This joy and peace despite tired bodies and heavy eyes is not natural. How faithful He is! Now you are free to sleep once again, my friend. Tomorrow’s story will be similar to today’s. Rest in thankfulness for what the Father has in store.
That’s one day in Ukraine, folks! What a great month it was! We left on the sixth of November and took about two days to get to Chile. Today was our first full day of ministry and I am so excited for what God has next!
Thanks for your prayers and God bless!
Through His grace,
Colby
