True Religion.

 

My time in Ukraine was the perfect blend.  Our first week we stayed with Vicki and Richard Nelson. They are an awesome couple who moved to Ukraine  three years ago instead of retiring.  Richard is a dentist and works with a small team of people doing dental outreach to villages and orphanages.  Vicki is the queen of crafts.  One afternoon we were able to tag along and see the Nelson’s in action.  It was a great day of songs, games, crafts, check-ups and teddy bears.  Teddy Bears? Vicki requested bears from the James Fund charity to hand out to each child after they finish their check ups or dental work.  The bears are a such a comfort and treasure for the children, not to mention adorable.  The Nelson’s are also helping to start Smile House.  Smile House will provide a place where people can come and receive dental care and other services.

                                                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This last month taught me that God knows what i need even when I don’t know.  I was in desperate need of rest. Most of our time with the Nelson’s was spent relaxing.  We spent the entire first day jumping up and down because everything in there house made us excited. Real beds, a nice shower, movies, games, peace and quiet, internet, great food and wonderful fellowship. We also got a in some sight seeing in Kyiv and some retail therapy.   Two of my favorite sites were St. Andrew’s and the Lavrapsa(really the Lavara, but I could not remember so I renamed it.) I am not one for lots of detail so hear goes. St. Andrew’s is a church constructed on the site where Andrew claimed the city for Christ. The Lavrapsa is the largest monestary

complex. At one time it might have been the oldest but most of it was blown up and rebuilt in 1998!  If you want to see creepy dead monks in caves, this is the place.

 

 

             

 

Our second week of ministry brought back the good o’le days of summer camp.  We left the comfort of home and our Ukrainian mom and dad.  Andrew and Jenny Kelly have been working with orphanages and transitions homes for many  years.  Currently, they are building a camp. Pinebranch is in the process of finishing construction on a meeting hall/ kitchen/ dorm, and several smaller cabins.  We jumped right in and with in matter of days had mastered flooring, meter and circular saws, building bunk beds, spackling, sanding, varnishing and my favorite Wigofolding( the wind barrier you put up before you install siding.)  The days were long but we had a blast. Andrew taught us so much and we worked along side some wonderful Ukranian men. They were always looking out for us and and calling us strong anytime we lifted any object over 10 pounds.  Our favorite job was playing with Abbie, an 8 month old genius baby.  We all fell in love with her and fought for her attention constantly.  We also added an honorary member to are team.  Jared came to work with the Kelly’s for three months.  He had just arrived a week before us and he was such a great help to us. All in all we had a great time at camp.   I will not soon forget all the laughs and memories of this last month.