So I have arrived safe and sound in the Ukraine, and I
wanted to send you an update.
Me and my team are living in a mission house in
Odessa, Ukraine, which is very close to the Black Sea. We’ve been working with
a Pastor (his name is Maxine) who’s ministry is to the Gypsy population. A
little info on Gypsies, they are descendant from India, and are an oppressed
people group. There is much racism towards Gypsies, because they are usually
known for thievery, murder, and selling drugs. Nearly all Gypsies claim a
belief in Christ, but Maxine says that real conversion for Gypsies is difficult
because their culture is so important to them it prevents them from bearing any
real fruit.
We’ve been working at a camp for the Gypsy children, kind of like a summer
camp. It has been really fun to get to know these children, as they have been
very welcoming to us outsiders, (traditionally a cultural taboo for Gypsies.)
We had a BIG party last night to celebrate the end of the
Gypsy camp, and they Ukrainians wanted to show us some Gypsy culture, so they
had us girls cover our head with scarves so that none of our hair was showing.
Then we made a special Gypsy tea, which was two tea bags, lemon, apples, and
sugar in a glass on a plate with a spoon. We were to serve the men first before
we had ours. Traditionally, the youngest Gypsy daughter in the family washes
the dishes, so poor, young, Michele had to wash the dishes by herself. (don’t
worry, we helped her.) But for ONCE it paid to be the OLDEST team member! HA!
The food we’ve been eating has been really interesting. At
the feast, they had cooked something called “Katlede” (it’s spelled
phonetically) which is some kind of cake made of fish, egg, and flour. Ew. I
hate fish. I think these people know that. Also, they have a delicacy called
“Sala�, which is un-rendered pork fat. Yes. Fat. They eat it with bread and
pickles and bread, and supposedly it is the equivalent to eating
chocolate. I doubt it though.
Next week, we’re supposed to be working at something our
contact calls “Extreme beach fishing camp” so we don’t really know
what that means. . .so please keep us in your prayers.
Miss you much!
~Kirsten
