Today marks the last day of our time here at DCU - a day full of more goodbyes and friends left behind... From here, we move onward to Kiev (via overnight train), where we will spend the night at a hotel before continuing our voyage home. (or in my case, this day marks the half-way point- in which I will join my older sister for another month- before returning home) We will have one full day in Kiev that we will use touring and souvenir shopping before a VERY early flight Monday morning.
From there, I will meet my sister at the airport and accompany her to the Century, from which my new adventure will begin. I probably won't have internet access again until I get there, so I will say goodbye for now and catch up with you when internet decides to catch up with ME.
Until then, my friends!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Growing Closer
As this last module is drawing to a close, I'm starting to realize we will have to say goodbye for good soon, not only to mission's teams that come and go, but to our hosts, our students, and Ukraine itself. Some of my students have already asked me if I will be coming back next year, and my heart is torn. The love I've acquired for this country and it's people is astounding. I really want to come back, and pray I will be able to. The missionaries here have already expressed their desire for our return, even suggesting an extended stay next year.
I couldn't ask for a better team. Five of us girls rooming together without any quarrels. Joshua (or Papa Yosh - as we like to call him) the voice of reason who can settle our girl-craziness down. Or take it to the next level, depending... I've grown closer to this team in the last month than I ever thought I could, my team members now close friends - not to mention the best roommates I've ever had! Opening up and sharing exactly where each of us is. Seeing how different and amazing each of our stories is - whether from broken families, feelings of doubt, health issues, fear for the future, or just trying to find ourselves or clarity, - we all have our issues, and we are seeing firsthand how God can use EVERYONE, and how He can bring us all together for a common purpose.
I couldn't ask for a better team. Five of us girls rooming together without any quarrels. Joshua (or Papa Yosh - as we like to call him) the voice of reason who can settle our girl-craziness down. Or take it to the next level, depending... I've grown closer to this team in the last month than I ever thought I could, my team members now close friends - not to mention the best roommates I've ever had! Opening up and sharing exactly where each of us is. Seeing how different and amazing each of our stories is - whether from broken families, feelings of doubt, health issues, fear for the future, or just trying to find ourselves or clarity, - we all have our issues, and we are seeing firsthand how God can use EVERYONE, and how He can bring us all together for a common purpose.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Farewells and Fresh Starts
It's strange, being the only consistent short-term mission's team here. Yes, that sounded confusing - let me try to clarify. Already we have seen many teams come and go, and here we are still. The Minnesota team has come and gone, as well as the first Alabama team just this morning. Independent helpers such as Brian and RoseMary have headed back home, and the memory of them here with us seems long ago. I'm starting to feel like WE are the long-term missionaries, as everyone else seems to be coming and going to assist US. On the one hand, it's nice to get to interact with all these people from different places; and I've enjoyed working with every single one of them. Yet this also means we have to say goodbye, and often, then meeting and training up a new team in their place. We have to form the relationships anew.
As for this new module, I was pleasantly surprised to see many students returning from last module. Two boys in particular, Artiom and Andrew, who were friends of Barbie and Amy last module, have stared spending more time with our team as of late. Andrew has only been studying English for a year or so, and kind of reminds me of my Russian friend Vitaly. Artiom on the other hand, decided to learn English when he heard the Beatles - I thought you'd appreciate that, Dad. They accompanied us to the botanical gardens on Saturday (which was more like a previous botanical garden now, retaken by nature, yet still beautiful) they then took us to a good souvenir shop, something of which we hadn’t found yet, and the buffet style part of Liverpool to eat.
I always tend to lag behind everyone when we go out touring, partly because my legs are short and I can't walk as fast, and partly because my shins start hurting if I try to go as fast as them. Andrew noticed this, and would often stop and come back to me, saying that I shouldn't be always in back, and would walk with me for a while, with Artiom helping to translate his conversation. I didn't have much of an appetite at Liverpool this time, and just ate a little, but drank a LOT of water. He must have noticed this as well...
After that, we went and saw a movie at the theatre, all in Ukrainian - not Russian, which was actually quite fun. The girls went back out for a while, and the boys and I headed home, (my shins were hurting at this point). On the way back, Artiom and Andrew ran off to find something to drink, leaving Josh and I had to wait for them. When they got back, Andrew had this half-grin on his face, and pulled out a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. I couldn't help but smile - he had bought me flowers since I wasn't feeling well. The trolley ride back was especially memorable, as a man wearing a sailor hat had an accordion with him got on and started playing for everyone the entire way back.
As for this new module, I was pleasantly surprised to see many students returning from last module. Two boys in particular, Artiom and Andrew, who were friends of Barbie and Amy last module, have stared spending more time with our team as of late. Andrew has only been studying English for a year or so, and kind of reminds me of my Russian friend Vitaly. Artiom on the other hand, decided to learn English when he heard the Beatles - I thought you'd appreciate that, Dad. They accompanied us to the botanical gardens on Saturday (which was more like a previous botanical garden now, retaken by nature, yet still beautiful) they then took us to a good souvenir shop, something of which we hadn’t found yet, and the buffet style part of Liverpool to eat.
I always tend to lag behind everyone when we go out touring, partly because my legs are short and I can't walk as fast, and partly because my shins start hurting if I try to go as fast as them. Andrew noticed this, and would often stop and come back to me, saying that I shouldn't be always in back, and would walk with me for a while, with Artiom helping to translate his conversation. I didn't have much of an appetite at Liverpool this time, and just ate a little, but drank a LOT of water. He must have noticed this as well...
After that, we went and saw a movie at the theatre, all in Ukrainian - not Russian, which was actually quite fun. The girls went back out for a while, and the boys and I headed home, (my shins were hurting at this point). On the way back, Artiom and Andrew ran off to find something to drink, leaving Josh and I had to wait for them. When they got back, Andrew had this half-grin on his face, and pulled out a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. I couldn't help but smile - he had bought me flowers since I wasn't feeling well. The trolley ride back was especially memorable, as a man wearing a sailor hat had an accordion with him got on and started playing for everyone the entire way back.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Memerable Weekend
This weekend was another busy weekend in which Lawrence (Colleen’s husband) took us on another tour of downtown Donetsk, including both the Russian and Greek Orthodox churches, a rather impressive Soviet Union memorial, the future Olympic stadium that’s under construction, beautiful parks, an open market (where I lost me watch – go figure), and one of the two only replica’s of the Zarrs cannon…
When we visited the Orthodox Church, we happened to go on a religious holiday, and a service was underway. The church itself was packed, and from the moment we walked in, it inspired a deep feeling of awe and reverence. The smell of incense, the choir singing from the rafters and the sound reverberating in the domed top and wafting back down into the crowd, the chanting of the priest, and the candles softly illuminating the intricately painted walls and gold-plated icons and saints delicately placed along the walls. Even though I had no idea what was being said, the environment itself brought community to all present, and you could feel the presence of God there. We went back again on Sunday, although I couldn’t take pictures because the service was underway… that, and I felt like I would be violating some unstated law by taking pictures in a time and place like that. I did, however, get some pictures of the Greek Orthodox Church that is still being constructed.
Sunday was very memorable, and for more than one reason. First thing in the morning, Rachel tapped me on the shoulder and quietly let me know it was almost 7am – I groaned and rolled back towards the wall. 5 minutes later, when I decided that yes, I should get up, I rolled around, and there, right in front of my eyes, on the floor below my bed lay a series of small pieces of paper all lined up, spelling out very clearly
H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y C-H-E-L-S-E-A-!
I couldn’t help smiling.
I decided to dress up for the day, and, after getting up and eating a breakfast of cereal and yogurt, we left on our voyage back to the Orthodox Church. Unfortunately, some of the girls were feeling sick from the food we had eaten the other day, and stayed back at the school. Afterwards, Josh showed up in Lennon Square with Hannah (Amy was still sick), and we all headed down to Liverpool for lunch. Just for clarification – there is a small part of town with a hotel, and a few restaurants, a food mart, and a bar that are all dedicated to the Beatles. We were under the impression that the restaurant we were going to was buffet style, but I think we went to the wrong entrance, ending up instead in a high-class fancy restaurant. 0.o We walked down a lighted stairway with a railing entwined with musical instruments into a dimly lit hallway with booths on each side – each in their own little cylinder room cut out of the wall. It was like looking into a porthole into the booths – each decorated with murals depicting a different Beatles’ album. There were also other tables in smaller rooms with cloth-draped walls and Internet access. I don’t know if I can really get the feeling of the place down without showing you, but unfortunately, the lighting was not very camera friendly… Needless to say – it was REALLY nice. I ordered a salmon/asparagus ‘pie’ with spinach sauce that was absolutely AMAZING, with a dessert of cheesecake. Everything was gourmet and served beautifully, and all I can say is WOW. I’ve never been somewhere that nice, and probably never will again. It is definitely a memory I will cherish.
The whole day was very relaxing, if tiring as well. It took a lot of walking and trolley busses to get there, but it was the first time in two weeks that we’ve had time planned to just unwind and have fun. When we got back, and I arrived on the second floor where my room is, there stood my team, who had rushed ahead of me, and produced a lovely bouquet out of no-where, which was the perfect end to a perfect day. I still can’t figure out when or how they got it.
When we visited the Orthodox Church, we happened to go on a religious holiday, and a service was underway. The church itself was packed, and from the moment we walked in, it inspired a deep feeling of awe and reverence. The smell of incense, the choir singing from the rafters and the sound reverberating in the domed top and wafting back down into the crowd, the chanting of the priest, and the candles softly illuminating the intricately painted walls and gold-plated icons and saints delicately placed along the walls. Even though I had no idea what was being said, the environment itself brought community to all present, and you could feel the presence of God there. We went back again on Sunday, although I couldn’t take pictures because the service was underway… that, and I felt like I would be violating some unstated law by taking pictures in a time and place like that. I did, however, get some pictures of the Greek Orthodox Church that is still being constructed.
Sunday was very memorable, and for more than one reason. First thing in the morning, Rachel tapped me on the shoulder and quietly let me know it was almost 7am – I groaned and rolled back towards the wall. 5 minutes later, when I decided that yes, I should get up, I rolled around, and there, right in front of my eyes, on the floor below my bed lay a series of small pieces of paper all lined up, spelling out very clearly
H-A-P-P-Y B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y C-H-E-L-S-E-A-!
I couldn’t help smiling.
I decided to dress up for the day, and, after getting up and eating a breakfast of cereal and yogurt, we left on our voyage back to the Orthodox Church. Unfortunately, some of the girls were feeling sick from the food we had eaten the other day, and stayed back at the school. Afterwards, Josh showed up in Lennon Square with Hannah (Amy was still sick), and we all headed down to Liverpool for lunch. Just for clarification – there is a small part of town with a hotel, and a few restaurants, a food mart, and a bar that are all dedicated to the Beatles. We were under the impression that the restaurant we were going to was buffet style, but I think we went to the wrong entrance, ending up instead in a high-class fancy restaurant. 0.o We walked down a lighted stairway with a railing entwined with musical instruments into a dimly lit hallway with booths on each side – each in their own little cylinder room cut out of the wall. It was like looking into a porthole into the booths – each decorated with murals depicting a different Beatles’ album. There were also other tables in smaller rooms with cloth-draped walls and Internet access. I don’t know if I can really get the feeling of the place down without showing you, but unfortunately, the lighting was not very camera friendly… Needless to say – it was REALLY nice. I ordered a salmon/asparagus ‘pie’ with spinach sauce that was absolutely AMAZING, with a dessert of cheesecake. Everything was gourmet and served beautifully, and all I can say is WOW. I’ve never been somewhere that nice, and probably never will again. It is definitely a memory I will cherish.
The whole day was very relaxing, if tiring as well. It took a lot of walking and trolley busses to get there, but it was the first time in two weeks that we’ve had time planned to just unwind and have fun. When we got back, and I arrived on the second floor where my room is, there stood my team, who had rushed ahead of me, and produced a lovely bouquet out of no-where, which was the perfect end to a perfect day. I still can’t figure out when or how they got it.
Monday, July 14, 2008
It's Over - :(
Written July 11th
The first Module has come to a close, and I continue to be amazed at the generosity of the people here. On the last day of classes, during break, each of our students had brought something to share with us. Some chocolate-flavored sunflower seeds, a Ukrainian style cake, some rose-flavored Turkish delight, various candies and chocolate bars, as well as a more interesting Ukrainian version of marshmallows – (we had a campfire one night with smores, so they wanted us to try their flavored marshmallows here) After that, we played apples to apples and had a more fun, laid-back, relaxing time before the graduation ceremony where we gave them their English learning certificates. We then had a combined talent show of both our students, or staff, and a Russian/Ukrainian choir who was having a workshop at DCU for the last 5 days. It was amazing, especially when the choir sang for us as well. I’ll be sad to see those individuals go, and realize now how unfinished everything feels.
The first Module has come to a close, and I continue to be amazed at the generosity of the people here. On the last day of classes, during break, each of our students had brought something to share with us. Some chocolate-flavored sunflower seeds, a Ukrainian style cake, some rose-flavored Turkish delight, various candies and chocolate bars, as well as a more interesting Ukrainian version of marshmallows – (we had a campfire one night with smores, so they wanted us to try their flavored marshmallows here) After that, we played apples to apples and had a more fun, laid-back, relaxing time before the graduation ceremony where we gave them their English learning certificates. We then had a combined talent show of both our students, or staff, and a Russian/Ukrainian choir who was having a workshop at DCU for the last 5 days. It was amazing, especially when the choir sang for us as well. I’ll be sad to see those individuals go, and realize now how unfinished everything feels.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
End of First Module
Written July 10th:
Now that the first module is coming to a close, I can't help but think it was over too quickly. It's hard, trying to do so much in so little time. Even though I didn't have the chance to share my faith this module, everyone is aware that we are Christians, and my example will have to be enough for now.
It's strange... I came into this mission's trip thinking that I would do so much for God, but in reality, I can do nothing. I wanted to use this time he's given me to give back all he's given me, but instead, he is only blessing me more. I am God's intrument, no more, no less, and he is the one who is working through me, even if I can't see it right now. We are planting the seeds that will someday come to fruitation, and I pray that someday I will be able to see it fully.
Now that the first module is coming to a close, I can't help but think it was over too quickly. It's hard, trying to do so much in so little time. Even though I didn't have the chance to share my faith this module, everyone is aware that we are Christians, and my example will have to be enough for now.
It's strange... I came into this mission's trip thinking that I would do so much for God, but in reality, I can do nothing. I wanted to use this time he's given me to give back all he's given me, but instead, he is only blessing me more. I am God's intrument, no more, no less, and he is the one who is working through me, even if I can't see it right now. We are planting the seeds that will someday come to fruitation, and I pray that someday I will be able to see it fully.
2nd week
I found a new Friend here, a little kitten that I sneak salami and cheese from breakfast in the mornings. (don't worry mom, she belongs to a lady here and doesn't have rabies or fleas :P) She's a feisty little thing and is very playful. The other day she found refuge beneath me as I was sitting on the curb hugging my legs (the boys had been chasing her around)
Classes are going well, but we're having to take more time off as assistants and more time planning for the afternoons. Soon, the Minnesota team will be gone and we'll be on our own for planning. My relationships with students are going well, but it's more with the older students I work with than my peers. The other day, as I was standing by Sarah talking, one of my students came up and put her arm around me, gave me a squeeze, and said "You're so cute! I like you!"
We had a day where we had students take us around Downtown Donetsk - "Show us your City" we called it. They became our tour guides, and had to tell us all about their city in English only. I really enjoyed it - much more than the Saturday trip to the Island the Cossacks had their headquarters (when Ukraine was fighting for independence) THAT day started at 6:00am and ended at 9:00pm, including a 4 hour bus ride each way. It was fun too, and I enjoyed it, although we were so exhausted by the end that we all just wanted to curl up and sleep for three days straight. We didn't, of course, but decided to skip breakfast and sleep in the next day.
I have pictures from both event's, but you'll have to bear with me as I slowly proceed to upload them. In the meantime, I have some pictures of or 3 day traveling trip getting here, some of the campus we're staying at, and also some of our first trip to downtown into Donetsk. Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41821&l=07266&id=658227216
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42579&l=383db&id=658227216
Classes are going well, but we're having to take more time off as assistants and more time planning for the afternoons. Soon, the Minnesota team will be gone and we'll be on our own for planning. My relationships with students are going well, but it's more with the older students I work with than my peers. The other day, as I was standing by Sarah talking, one of my students came up and put her arm around me, gave me a squeeze, and said "You're so cute! I like you!"
We had a day where we had students take us around Downtown Donetsk - "Show us your City" we called it. They became our tour guides, and had to tell us all about their city in English only. I really enjoyed it - much more than the Saturday trip to the Island the Cossacks had their headquarters (when Ukraine was fighting for independence) THAT day started at 6:00am and ended at 9:00pm, including a 4 hour bus ride each way. It was fun too, and I enjoyed it, although we were so exhausted by the end that we all just wanted to curl up and sleep for three days straight. We didn't, of course, but decided to skip breakfast and sleep in the next day.
I have pictures from both event's, but you'll have to bear with me as I slowly proceed to upload them. In the meantime, I have some pictures of or 3 day traveling trip getting here, some of the campus we're staying at, and also some of our first trip to downtown into Donetsk. Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41821&l=07266&id=658227216
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=42579&l=383db&id=658227216
Sunday, July 6, 2008
First Week Finished!
The first week of teaching is over and our team finally has a day of rest. It seems that whenever we aren't teaching, we are either eating, sleeping, or going downtown into Donetsk, and this constant routine is becoming quite taxing. The hardest part about all of this, for me and the other members of my team, is trying to find quality time with God amoungst the chaos. Of course, we can see God working in every part of our days here, but not having the time to read my bible is really frustrating. My reading is rushed, and I'm not getting anything out of it.
Despite this, however, God has shown me what I needed to know in other ways... Namely, the letters that I recieved the other day from some of my prayer partners. They encluded words of encouragement and the bible verses I needed to hear that day. I will hold to them as I continue serving next week.
Our ministry here is teaching, but we can't teach the gospel in our classes; we have to wait until they ask us. Although we are teaching in a Christian University, the summer intensive English courses are more generic. Most of the student's aren't Christians, and we don't want to be preaching in their faces. Some of my team members have already had the opprotunity to share their faith with students, but I haven't had that opening yet, and am, as of yet, still forming relationships...
Despite this, however, God has shown me what I needed to know in other ways... Namely, the letters that I recieved the other day from some of my prayer partners. They encluded words of encouragement and the bible verses I needed to hear that day. I will hold to them as I continue serving next week.
Our ministry here is teaching, but we can't teach the gospel in our classes; we have to wait until they ask us. Although we are teaching in a Christian University, the summer intensive English courses are more generic. Most of the student's aren't Christians, and we don't want to be preaching in their faces. Some of my team members have already had the opprotunity to share their faith with students, but I haven't had that opening yet, and am, as of yet, still forming relationships...
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Classes...
The third day of classes, and already I feel like I've been doing this for weeks. It's hard to believe that it was just two short days ago when I was sitting in the classroom, nervously waiting for our students arrive. The first day, I didn't feel very useful, at least, not at the beginning of the day. ... I was assisting Alexandra and Joshua (my team leaders), but Alexandra was so on top of things that there really wasn't much for me to do. I did get to help with a few things though, and I do think I did a good job despite my fears. It's kind of nice having more than one person in the classroom; that way we have two different perspectives and can come up with different ways to explain the more difficult concepts.
Since that was orientation day, there weren't as many activities in the afternoon, and the day was therefore shorter. At one point, when I was helping with crafts, I noticed this one man fiddling with his and asked if he needed help. He replied that he wanted to learn English, so I ended up just sitting there and talking to him until the end of the 'craft' session. We had a very good discussion, and it's amazing how well we can comunicate with so few words. I'm learning more Russin, and he's learning more English, and it's been really neat to watch - although I must admit, they are learning much quicker than I!
The morning class that I help teach is composed of adults (mostly in their late 20's,/early 30's) in the Upper English intensive course. I got to do a lot more yesterday in the class, and already I'm becoming connected with our students. Some of the younger students have already become close friends. There is this one girl in particular, Natalya, (age 20) who is quite a chatter-box. Man, I love her. She probably has the best English of anyone in the school, but rushed through the placement test and is still in intermediate. The best way to describe her would probably be a Russian rapper/hip-hop dancer/tom-boy who talks a mile a minute. Andrey, on the other hand, is quite the charmer, and kind of reminds me of Vitaly, even though they don't look the same. Today, he brought in сало (salo), a traditional Ukranian dish that he wanted us all to try. It's probably the closest thing to sushi I will ever try... it's basically cured, salty pork (that looks & tastes raw) that you eat with brown bread and garlic. Definitly not the best of the foods I've tasted here, but it's the thought that counts...
Since that was orientation day, there weren't as many activities in the afternoon, and the day was therefore shorter. At one point, when I was helping with crafts, I noticed this one man fiddling with his and asked if he needed help. He replied that he wanted to learn English, so I ended up just sitting there and talking to him until the end of the 'craft' session. We had a very good discussion, and it's amazing how well we can comunicate with so few words. I'm learning more Russin, and he's learning more English, and it's been really neat to watch - although I must admit, they are learning much quicker than I!
The morning class that I help teach is composed of adults (mostly in their late 20's,/early 30's) in the Upper English intensive course. I got to do a lot more yesterday in the class, and already I'm becoming connected with our students. Some of the younger students have already become close friends. There is this one girl in particular, Natalya, (age 20) who is quite a chatter-box. Man, I love her. She probably has the best English of anyone in the school, but rushed through the placement test and is still in intermediate. The best way to describe her would probably be a Russian rapper/hip-hop dancer/tom-boy who talks a mile a minute. Andrey, on the other hand, is quite the charmer, and kind of reminds me of Vitaly, even though they don't look the same. Today, he brought in сало (salo), a traditional Ukranian dish that he wanted us all to try. It's probably the closest thing to sushi I will ever try... it's basically cured, salty pork (that looks & tastes raw) that you eat with brown bread and garlic. Definitly not the best of the foods I've tasted here, but it's the thought that counts...
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