Pryvit!
This month, my team is in an adorable little town called Zdolbunov, Ukraine. We are staying with a wonderful host family who has 4 children and a beautiful home. They don’t speak any English so we play very dramatic games of charades to communicate! The mother, Vita, cooks delicious Ukrainian meals and makes sure we are well taken care of. She has even scolded us many times for not putting on warm enough clothes. 🙂 The children are a joy to be around and love having us as their playmates. I’ve been so thankful for their welcoming hearts and hospitality. They serve us incredibly well.
In the mornings, my team goes to a public school to help the teachers teach English. The children’s ages range from 5-17, and when we arrive, usually we have no idea what we will do that day. This past week, the students mainly asked us questions about ourselves and used google translate to get to know us better. We also play lots of hangman and Simon says. My favorite classes to teach have been the 8th-11th grade. I’ve discovered that teenagers are the same everywhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re from America or Ukraine, we all love food, music, to drive our cars too fast (which in Ukraine, people drive like complete maniacs!), and laughter. But more importantly, we want to be seen and known. I has been a privilege to get to know these students and simply take an interest in them. My prayer is that the Lord will break down any barriers that stand between them and the gospel and use my team as a vessel for His will to be done in their hearts.
In the afternoons, we walk a very, very, very long way to teach more English classes at a local church. The students come after school, and it is just for some extra practice. I’m teaching the advanced group which has been fun but also challenging. I’ve realized that although I speak English, I have to dig deep to remember all my prepositions and helping verbs! The class consists of mainly 13 year old girls who simply like to laugh and give hugs. To share the gospel, my team and I have to get creative. Sometimes, it looks like using the phrase “Jesus loves you” during hangman or using a Bible verse to teach subjects and verbs. I’ll be honest though, it’s hard for me to be around the same girls everyday, yet never be able to have a meaningful conversation because of the language barrier. However, the Lord is teaching me that He is faithful. Even when my faith is weak and I feel discouraged, He is working through things I can’t and may never see.
My team has also have been able to spend time with the teens in the youth group at the church we are attending. There are only 9 of them, but they are so kind and love to spend time with us. They even give us rides home from English lessons at night when it’s too cold to walk home!
My time is Ukraine has been filled with such amazement and contentment. On my walks to the school, the streets are brimming with yellow trees, wild flowers, and beautiful gardens. It is simply breathtaking. And after a long day of lessons, tea and coffee is always provided by the family we are staying with or precious ladies from the church. The Lord is taking Himself out of my box that I stuff Him in and taking me to great depths. And everyday, I am surrounded by 5 of some of the greatest humans I’ve ever met. I wouldn’t want to experience all this with any other people except my wonderful team. I’m constantly in awe of how giving of themselves they are and their commitment to furthering the kingdom. Plus, they literally always have me laughing! If I really stop and think about it, life is actually pretty normal. I get up, go to school, and come home, yet I still can’t help but feel a deep sense of wonder and freedom from all the Lord is walking me through here.
Ukraine has been wonderful, and I can’t wait to see what the next couple of weeks here hold! Thanks for reading, everyone!
