Hello! Today is a super mega cool blog post because it features my whole team!! We decided that we would each write a prompt, choose them at random, and then pass around our computers so each person could write about that prompt. It was so much fun, and I’m super excited for you to hear about Ukraine from all of our perspectives. It’s been an amazing month! Enjoy!
Prompt: People in Ukraine
Colby: I think one of the most interesting people I have met so far was one of the students at the university. His name was Borice (not sure how you spell that). He had a very cynical perception of the world and was overwhelmed by a sense of disgust for his own country. All he would talk about was, “I can’t wait to leave Ukraine.” Not exactly a patriot. He is an atheist, and was very skeptical of the church. He says the Orthodox church works like a business, taking advantage of the people. Our conversation was short, but Cam and I were able to emphasize relationship vs religion and speak life into his hardened heart. It was one of those conversations where I walked away feeling like I had a real encounter with someone. No fakery. He said what he meant. Thankful for meaningful interactions with people!
Cam: Hello everyone! Lemme tell you about the people here in Ukraine. Quietly confident. That’s only one way I would describe them. There are definitely more, but who has that much time? BUT not all of them are this way. Well to say the least, many aren’t like this. I have had the opportunity to meet individuals that are sweet, kind and loving. Also can we talk about all the hugs I have received here? A TON! Like at least 100. At least. Living here in Ukraine has been great and the people make it all the more better and easier to survive. I will for sure miss a lot of them and their commitment to our English class, church and coming over to hang out with my team. If any of you are reading this, we love you all. Thank you for being kind souls and we will miss you all dearly.
Your Friend,
Camryn Mckinnon
Jenna Rose: These people crack me up. Because most of the adults don’t speak English, they take no shame in acting or using extremely random English to describe their point. For example, the dad at our house calls Alec a pig in every situation because that’s one of the only words he knows. And I swear, I laugh harder and harder each time he says it! And with the teenagers, they aren’t very expressive, but when I act out an English word I’m trying to teach them, they lose it and making a fool out of myself instantaneously becomes worth it. Some say that the Ukrainian people don’t smile often or aren’t very friendly, but honestly, that hasn’t been my experience. They’re usually so very kind and willing to help the stupid and ignorant Americans when they can. They’ve all taught me beautiful lessons of hospitality, service, and selflessness. One of the reasons I wanted to go on this trip is to witness the image of God in people from other regions, and the Lord has demonstrated and revealed himself through so many people here. It has been a privilege to walk with these people through their daily lives and meet so many amazing faces.
Jacob: The people of Ukraine are fun, loving, thoughtful people and are quite the characters. The ones I know love the Lord and are hard working people.
Alec: As Jenna would say, “ohhhhhhhhhhh”! I absolutely love the people here in Ukraine so much so that I have considered coming back in the future on a longer individual mission trip. They have been everything I have wanted in a country. They are fun, loving and have a wild side. I especially love the family. The relationship I have built with this entire family is unfathomable considering that we don’t speak the same language. So much so that once I leave (which will come with many tears no doubt), I am going to still pursue relationships with them. However, the relationship with the family isn’t the only one I have made. Everywhere I go, I make new relationships. Today, I had someone I met on the bus that spoke very little English friend me on Instagram. He said he searched through all of his friend’s Insta until he recognized me in a photo. I don’t know if it was my profile post or one I was tagged in because, like I said, he spoke very little English. But just being able to pour out love on someone for 5 minutes and have that cause them to search through Jnstagram for you just says so much to me. I only hope I can make so many connections in the future.
Hey! It’s Emma again! My experience in Ukraine has been so sweet. Everyone I have met have been so lovely, warm, and inviting. Specifically, my host family. The family we live with consists of Sergei and Vita (the parents) and their two daughters and two sons. This family is astounding. Sergei makes us all laugh until we cry and opens his home to us to make us feel comfortable, even though he only knows a few words of English. Vita is a super mom. She makes us all of our meals, makes sure we put on our coats with our hoods up before we go outside, leads us to the sink to wash our hands before we eat, and gives the best hugs at just the right moments. She understands what it means to love deeply. Sergei and Vita’s relationship is also so much fun to watch! Their kids are a joy. We’ve spent many an afternoon singing, dancing, playing, laughing, and teaching English/Ukrainian. It always brightens my day when we come home from teaching lessons to see their bright eyes and wide smiles. I’m going to be so sad when I leave them. We were the only team who got to stay with a host family, and I’m so incredibly grateful for it, because I have made some of the sweetest relationships. I love my new family in Ukraine. 🙂
Thank you so much for reading!! My team had a blast writing these! Now here’s the fun part….we did this on everyone’s blog! So if you want to read more about all of our experiences in Ukraine, check out the links below!! Have fun!!!
-Emm
PERSON WHO IMPACTED YOU THE MOST – colbyfield.theworldrace.org
FUNNIEST STORY – jennarosewhite.theworldrace.org
THE COLD – camrynmckinnon.theworldrace.org
MOMENTS OF REST – jacobpourroy.theworldrace.org
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL – alecdubree.theworldrace.org
