Adventures

Last night the kids decided they wanted to go ice skating, so we put the little ones to bed early and headed out to the mall. We arrived at the skating arena at 7:30 and were told we had to wait 30 minutes. Of course. The skating times in the evening are 6:30-7:30 and 8:00-9:00. Our bus stops picking people up at 8:30... We talked it over and decided to go ahead and skate as long as we wanted and take another bus home halfway, then walk. 

Me and Bethay

Blake, Dima and Seth

Hannah and Jordan

The skating was a lot of fun-- I only fell once! I have to admit though that I didn't stray too far from the wall, but I was doing pretty good after a half an hour. 

The real adventure didn't begin until we were waiting at the bus stop. We saw our regular bus come and go but knew the driver wouldn't let us on that late. Being Americans (and mostly teenagers) we generally stand out and are pretty loud. A man standing nearby noticed us right away and starting talking to us. He thought we were lost tourists and wanted to help. Using Russian, sign language and the three words of English he knew, he asked us where we were staying. We tried to tell him that we live here and knew where we were going. After more waiting for the bus, he insisted several times on getting us a taxi. Some of the kids were not comfortable with this idea and didn't think their father would approve, so we told him 'no, thank you'.

By this time two buses had already gone by. Bus #3 came and the man got on to talk to the driver, telling him we were tourists and needed to get where we were staying. After several minutes of persuasion the driver let us on. Hannah and I stood (yep, you can stand on the bus) up front with the man who told me to watch the road so I could tell the driver where to stop. We made it safely to our destination and left with much thanks to the driver and the man who helped us, our persistent guardian angel.





 

Back in Ukraine

Wow. Praise God! I have been back in Ukraine since Thursday and I don't think my flights could have been any more perfect. I know a lot of people were praying... God knows I freak out easily, so I am very thankful there were no problems.

I think I am starting to adjust to living with a big family. I was a little concerned before I left about what it was going to be like, but it's been great. The kids are so much fun to be around! My favorite time of the day is after lunch. That is when it gets really crazy. Kids running every direction, objects flying (including a large exercise ball) and loud music! I think it will be hard for me to feel like a grown up now...not that I ever have. Ha! ;)


Tomorrow I will go into school and start work in the library. I ordered A LOT of new books so it will take some time to get them ready. Ready or not, school starts the 20th! 

Thank you so much for your prayers! Please continue to pray as teachers and students prepare for school.


With love, 
Sarah

June/July Update

“If there were any more tears shed we may all float away” 

This quote perfectly describes my last two weeks in Ukraine as we as a community said goodbye to several families and individuals leaving Kiev. Some have been here for 20 years, others only two, but they have been like our family and we will miss them greatly.

As I was searching for the source for the above quote, the verse from Revelation came up that says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain…” I cannot wait for that day!

HUGE Praise!! I have a place to live for next year! I will be living with the Malones, a family of nine kids. Yep, nine. The oldest, Blake, just graduated high school and is currently in Ukraine; the second oldest, Hannah, will be a junior at KCA. Next are Bethany, Seth, then their fifth child, Eli, who was born with Down Syndrome. Over the last several years they adopted four more children with special needs (Micah, Eliana, Matthew, Ethan) from Ukraine. I will be extra eyes and hands in the house and will also be helping Hannah get to and from school. I met with the whole family before I left and I am excited to be a part of their lives!

I will be returning to Kiev on August 8 for my sixth and last year. Please keep me in your prayers as I transition to a new location and a bigger family. :)

Thank you!

In Christ,

Sarah

P.S. Every year we have a special chapel for the seniors and this year I was asked to make the slideshow. Here is the link: Senior Chapel.