In the Ukrainian school we visited on our second day in Pyrvamisk, I’m pretty sure I hit rock star status. When we first arrived at the school we were given the run down on our presentation … focus on cultures, people, what you did … keep the Jesus side of things out of it.
You see this month we have gone to different schools to do presentations on our trip around the world. In some schools we can talk a little about the Christian nature of our trip, in others we can be pretty direct, and then in others, we avoid that aspect completely. Let me clarify for a moment, everything about this trip is rooted in Jesus, but to honor the relationships our contacts have with the school system, we share in the way we are asked.
Back to our day at the school. We had two presentations that day. Our first group was younger and they had many questions for us, so Peggy ran out of time when it came to talking about China. We’ve divided the previous 8 countries between 7 of us so we all have a country (or two) we are responsible for sharing about. I share about Rwanda and Malaysia. Sometimes I think that if I never have to hear/share in this presentation again it will be too soon. Though I think I will enjoy sharing more when I’m back home and there is no restriction on content, and when I don’t have to use simple translate-able language.
Anyways, after our first presentation, we had a second identical presentation to an older group, though they didn’t have nearly as many questions. This presentation was a bit more chaotic though, during our presentation some of the kids from the first presentation were back and wanting our autographs and e-mail addresses. So after I finished presenting I went and did the whole “Oh yeah, I’m famous, let me sign your book with a smile on my face” routine. Well after getting through this presentation we had some extra time so we went outside to take pictures, which also means getting mobbed by students and teachers alike who have all managed to bring their camera on this monumental occasion. So as we stood outside we got bombarded with individual shots, group shots, more autographs … and my favorite … the younger class came out to join us too and they decided they also wanted us to draw them a picture in their autographed book … so yeah, I’m pretty famous in Ukraine.
(look at those autographs)
(Leah and I … it’s all about perspective … haha!)
(group shot with a few of the students)
