Play by Play: Ukraine Arrival! - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

Arrival into Ukraine was marvelous. We had a 16 hour bus ride (no a/c or windows 😉 from Chisinau, Moldova to Kiev, Ukraine. After our 7 hour layover in Kiev, we had another 17 hour train ride to Luganst-Oblast, Ukraine. We had a sleeper car on the train, so there were four little beds that pulled down off the walls to make a cramped but cozy evening by railway. Since the four of us girls had our own little car, it was definitely my preferred form of travel over night! The boys shared a car with some big men who were eating crawfish and drinking beer… I’ll leave their experience at that. 😉 We were warmly welcomed by Bruce MacDonald and his friend Spartok as we departed the train, and they loaded up our things into the MacDonald van and we took off for their house that would soon be home for the month.

The girls rode in Spartok’s wagon- it had air conditioning! I know… fit for queens, right? It was glorious. By month 11, world racers highly recognize the glory and splendor of the a/c. Spartok was exactly what I imagined the men to look like here: blonde, blue eyed, short yet big burly man with a thick Russian accent. He knew a little English, and did his best to communicate his excitement to have us here in his home country. We told him we enjoyed his traditional Russian music that was playing, which was just the encouragement he needed to share his favorite “Russian manly man song!” Yes, my first joyous memory of landing in Ukraine was Spartok singing his Russian manly man song, with all the gusto and bravado the man could muster. Spartok asked if we had eaten breakfast… and finding out we had not, he pulled over at the next gas station and bought us all ice cream for breakfast! These little memories are some of the best from the world race. I love my life!

Where we’re living in Lutugino, the suburb of Luganst, we’re just 20km from the Russian border. Most of the people here speak Russian, although there is still the native Ukrainian language here as well. It’s been really cool to travel all around the world and let the things I learned from history books come to life. The realities of what happened during the reign of the Soviet Union are all around us.

Bruce and Pia MacDonald, parents of 12 children, are such a blessing to work with during our last month of ministry! They are originally from the United States; Bruce retired from the military and God eventually called them to minister in Ukraine about five years ago. Bruce had gone to linguist school in the military, and had learned Russian as part of his training! Little did he know God was going to call him to live in a country that spoke Russian! I love how the Lord prepares us and has our lives so purposefully planned out. God has definitely equipped him and his family for such a time as this!

Their youngest five children (ages 3 to 15) still live at home: Mercy, Toby, Carrie Anne, Michael, and Timothy. Each one has already captured our hearts in different ways! It’s been so cool to just join in with the family for the month! Bruce is now Papa Bruce, and we’re just part of the family. They’ve spoiled us with some great American Style food, not to mention the simple joys of a nice home to live in… running water, toilets, showers… hot water… Bliss.

Bruce’s passion to see the gospel presented in this area is so admirable. All the things he does in these villages he sees simply as tools; and is willing to use whatever tools will work best to reach this area for the Lord. We’ve got to visit and do some small things at the local church camp, as well as visit the local children’s hospital that Bruce and some previous teams help do renovation projects on. Our main ministry this month involves softball camps and eye glass clinics in the nearby villages. More blogs to come with some of those stories!
(above: Toby workin' on his swing!)

Here's some more pictures from normal life in Ukraine!

Allison with one of her little new friends at the Christian Kids Camp!