Tuesday

     After yesterday's language lesson, I needed to start my homework. So today I dove into the vocabulary by making flashcards. It's helping. Rote memorization isn't easy for me but it is going OK so far.
     The group I met with Friday night is part of a group on the main social network here ВКонтакт. Today they had a special but small event to help show the American around part of Kiev while also practicing their English. It was a lot of fun. I met them at the entrance to the University Metro station. Our group grew as we walked; mainly from people who couldn't be there at the scheduled meeting time. The plan was to walk and talk during the time I had available.
     We started at St. Volodomyr's Cathedral on Taras Shevchenko Blvd. It's an amazing structure. I wish I had more time to walk around inside and stare at the paintings while listening to their choir. I was raised Presbyterian but I can see and hear the beauty in a Russian Orthodox church. Frescoes decorate nearly every available square inch of wall and ceiling space. Pictures of saints, Disciples and Jesus are literally everywhere. Sconces for candles, shrines, donation boxes, and vendor stalls lined the walls. It's hard to describe. I'd have taken pictures but it feels wrong to do so in a place like that. And they probably would have charged me for it.

     After that we walked by Taras Shevchenko University. One of the guides, Dasha in the purple jacket, studied sociology there. Across the street is a beautiful park for people to enjoy.By the time we were done there, I was running short on time. I needed to get to the church office to be there for the meeting. We started walking towards our last point of interest but never found it. We'll have to save it for next time.
     Every outing or meeting like this is a great opportunity. I get to learn more about the culture and the people I'm here to serve. But also, the people get to practice a life-skill with huge potential. Everyone today I talked to had a good grasp of basic English. They weren't exactly fluent but they knew a lot and could clearly express ideas, questions, and opinions. Obviously it's easier talking with them when they can speak well. But even people who know English need to practice it to keep their vocabulary strong.
     Riding the metro (subway) is getting a lot easier for me. I'm starting to learn what stops have what name and where they go to. At least on the red line. The blue and green lines are still a mystery to me. I'll have to go exploring on those another day. The upside is that I can switch lines without paying for another fare. It's one low cost for riding from one station to any other.
     I finally made it to the office about 15 minutes after 7PM. But like almost everything Ukrainian, the meeting was late in starting. I guess it's a cultural thing with not being on time. I lucked out in this case.
     Every time I hear the questions the elder candidates are asking, I'm amazed at their maturity and seriousness for the job they are working towards. The questions are thoughtful and earnest. Each of them is wrestling greatly with the gravity of their calling. And it's a good thing too.
     Today Jerry talked about trust and service. He emphasized that the elders need to be worthy of the trust of the people they are serving. People should want to follow their leadership because they see in them honesty, openness, and truth. It's not "do as I say, not as I do." Jerry said it should be "do as I do because I follow Christ."
     He also emphasized that they should serve by coming along side people who are having trouble. They shouldn't lord their power over others because they are an elder. They need to show love and care. People are more likely to follow a person they respect or someone they know cares.
     Every moment in these meetings, I see more and more the responsibility these young men are taking on. It's a testament to the strength and maturity they have been given.