Lou and Sue arrived Friday night. Their flight was delayed in Chicago 2 hours due to high winds and tornado warnings, however they were able to make all their connections and arrive in Kiev on time.

Here is a short recap of Friday. Keith worked at Igor’s house most of the day. I worked at the Church preparing food for the evening “couples” meeting. It was really cool to see 15 couples come to hear a speaker from Irpen Seminary talk about families. We served the food and Keith and two of the men cleaned up all the dishes. I went with Igor and Nadia to the airport to pick up the Setters. Just another Ukraine adventure… we had to first drop off Ala, Igor’s wife and another Igor and his wife in Brovary. After leaving them, Igor tried to go a “shortcut” and we ended up on a dead end in the forest! We backed out, made several stops asking people along the way for directions and at last found the highway to the airport. Once there, we parked in what we didn’t know was a “no parking” zone and went inside to greet Lou and Sue. When we returned to the car, the police were waiting for Igor and he got what Nadia called a “verbal ticket.” Once on the highway we were all talking and laughing and all of a sudden I said, “Hey, we are slowing down, is something wrong?” Igor started laughing as the car coasted to a stop. We were out of gas. Thankfully, we could see a gas station up ahead. So Lou, Sue, Igor and I pushed the car along the shoulder to the gas station and we were once again on our way.

On Saturday, Lou and Keith went to Omelyonova for a Medical Clinic. Dr. Maxim and two other Doctors were there and they saw many people. Lou and Keith gave out the glasses that we brought. They had to leave at 3:30 and the clinic went well into the night. At 4:00 everyone went to the MegaMarket with the youth for a bowling party. There were 15 people total and everyone had a great time. We then had pizza and ice cream and had a good time talking with all the kids. We went home on the bus. It is good to see many young men coming and joining this Youth Group.

On Sunday we celebrated the Harvest Celebration in Kalinovka. The Church was full and the service lasted from 10:00 until 12:15. We lost count of how many musical numbers… the choir, duets, children’s choir, a trio from Brovary and many congregational songs. Valodia (Meela’s), Igor and a visiting Pastor from another region brought short messages. Following the service  most everyone went downstairs to a “feast” prepared by the ladies from the Church. It was wonderful.

We then left at 2:00 and went to Brovary to Nadia’s sister’s wedding reception. On Saturday I had spent the entire day making the bouquets, bouts, corsages and table centerpieces as our gift to them. Once again there was a “feast” and a lot of music and skits. It was fun to be a part.

We then went to Igor and Ala’s house to have some “one on one” time with them. We never seem to get this as we are always with a “group” of other people from the Church. It was a time that we could encourage them and pray for them. They shared their testimony with us and it is amazing to hear how God called them to this ministry. They are doing a wonderful job here.

Coming back to Kalinovka, we found that we had missed the Youth Club. However, we had shared an idea with Vitaly in the afternoon concerning guitars for the youth. At the pizza party we found that several of the kids expressed the desire to learn to play guitar. We told Vitaly how the Church in Valle Hermoso, Mexico, has guitar classes for the youth as a way to bring them into the church. He told us that he shared the idea with the kids at the club and there was interest. They have scheduled the first time for this Tuesday night. Guitars cost only $60.00 here, so we will help purchase some for them.

So… now it is Monday. Keith is working at Igor’s house… he MUST finish the wallpaper in one more room before we leave tomorrow.  Lou, Sue and I are going with Anatoly and Nina to visit a memorial they want us to see. It is where all the educated people were killed and put in a mass grave. They have uncovered the grave and identified people. So a memorial of crosses has been made in the forest. Tonight they will have a “farewell” party for us and we leave for Berlin tomorrow.

It has been a great trip and we thank God for the privilege of serving him here with these wonderful people.

Thank you for your prayers and support,
Darla