The latter was the one of most concern since this is a student whom is extremely aloof and very hard to have a conversation with, but I have been trying to keep up with people from my camp small group though and felt I should offer to hang out with her. I expected to be turned down so I was shocked (and a little nervous) when she accepted knowing I am not what I deem a “conversation carrier.” We met up Friday afternoon for a walk in the park, despite the intense heat, and it was a very nice time. As we parted we even discussed another meeting before I leave the country. It probably seems small to many people, but to me it once again confirmed God’s call to this place. For whatever reason this student seems relatively comfortable around me and the afternoon went so smoothly that I know God was in the midst of it all.
I also received word from one of the other girls that I was hanging out with the other week and whom was extremely concerned about an upcoming exam, her last opportunity to be accepted into a Master’s program, that her exam went well and she is again a student for another year and a half.
The past week or so has definitely been a hyper social one and I am exhausted, but it is beginning to feel like home and to feel like I have a community. The problem is much of my “community” will not be here when I return in January which makes me quite sad. However, I can certainly recognize the value in being “stuck” in Ukraine for this time.
In our household we have now also welcomed a family from Texas, Jason and Holly Bollinger and their son Jacob, who are here to adopt. They are quite amazing and it is nice to have them here with us. Please be praying as they navigate all the legal red tape. Their blog is morelovetogive.com if you are interested in hearing about their journey.
This leg of my own Ukraine journey is soon coming to an end. I have enough to get to Dublin, which is cheaper to fly out of and allows me to attend The Awakening worship conference before I head home. I am still about $400 short of my round trip ticket home and back to Ukraine in early January.
