Without the pitiful, plaid uniform, of course.
If I think back to the days I was in school, I was never a big fan of any of it {except for times when we were able to do "free reading"–where you could CHOOSE what book you read and what topic it was}…and recess!!
Who doesn't love recess?
Well, now, I'm on the flip-side of things, and am headed back into schools for ministry here in the beautiful, lush, and green Ukrainian countryside, where I am no longer a student, but instead…a TEACHER!
That's right: this month, my team and I are teaching English and talking about Jesus' great Love to children in Kolomyia, Ukraine. It's located about 7 hours outside of the nation's capitol, near the Polish/Romanian border, and it's the most pictureque, nostalgic European town you could invision–with hopelessly impossible, pothole-filled-roads and dogs and goats and roosters everywhere, with cute, old people riding bikes through all of the rain! {as well as the most amazing, fresh-baked bread…can we talk about that? Carbohydrates, here I come.}
All in all, teaching has still proven to be more of a learning experience than I first thought. We had to start out by guaging where all of the student's English levels are, break down all language and cultural barriers, and figure out ways to teach that are interesting, entertaining, and efficient for the hour of time we're allotted with each class. TOUGH STUFF! {but I love it, and wouldn't have it any other way}.
It's amazing how music, rhymes, and pictures are mostly universal, and how a good game of "Cherades" can help any questionable situation.
I'll be sharing photos from inside the classroom soon, but for now, here are few photos from life in Ukraine so far!
A sweet Ukrainian woman we met on the street. She wanted us to take her back to America with us, which is totally possible, because she is SO petite.
"The Red Dragon", our car for the month that 4 of us squeeze into, while the rest of us take turns riding the bus into town to teach. Tolic, the man driving, is our ministry host and a pastor here in the area. His church family and real family have already accepted us into their hearts and homes. Wonderful people!
Some of that AMAZING bread I was telling you about.
Simon, our mischievous house-cat. He likes to steal your food.
A sweet baby from within our church family.
It's my goal to get a photo with a baby in every country! Just love 'em.
Time to unpack my back-pack and get back to lesson-planning and logistics work!
Know that I'm thinking of you and praying for God's goodness to enrich each of your lives, whether I know you or not.
And you should all visit Ukraine one day if you haven't.
I AM SERIOUS!
p.s.-spoiler alert: I'm once again on a new team, for no other reason except that God changes things and raises up new leaders. I'm so excited to get to know these women and their hearts even better. World, meet Team Break Forth!
From left to right: Stacy, Kelly, Lynnsey, Me, Casey, Alys, & Jen.
{photo taken in Bucharest, at our 4 month Debrief}
