The Longest Time

     Has it really been a week since I posted something here? Not quite the longest time yet but I've definitely been remiss. Anyways, here I am to correct that.
     Last week wasn't very eventful. However, some of the highlights were dinner with the Eides on Wednesday, language lessons that went mostly well, and a whole bunch of snow.
     Thursday was the day that the Orthodox church (and countries from an Orthodox tradition) celebrate Christmas. In Ukraine, it's celebrated much the way Christmas in America is celebrated. Church services, caroling, meals, and gifts. I didn't have a celebration but I did go out to a Christmas program. It was put on by a church on the left bank. It was about a thirty minute ride all the way over there after lunch. I met two people from Big City and we walked together the rest of the way.
     I have to say about the program, there is nothing that takes me out of the Christmas spirit more than a angel "singing" a rap song. I didn't know, going into the program, that it was presented by a charismatic church. They were very liberal (perhaps creative is a better word) with their presentation. It was a very artistic retelling of the birth of Christ from the Gospels. It was well-choreographed and performed. I just wasn't a fan of the style. Growing up in a very conservative church, I rarely saw anything like it. It felt other-worldly.
     After the program, the three of us went to get some lunch (or a late-dinner). We had a very good thin-crust pizza with chicken, mozzarella and tomatoes.
     Friday wasn't a big day. I had a language lesson in the morning. I haven't written about it lately because there isn't much to say about it. I'm still taking lessons twice a week. But Friday I finally realized how far along I've actually come. Part of the lesson was translating English conversation (as written in the textbook) into Russian. But it wasn't written. I had to read the English phrases and speak the translation. Sometimes I get lucky with a word or two but when I actually remember what I need to say and say it correctly, it feels like a huge victory. Obviously there is so much more that I need to learn though. It takes decades to perfect it. I also see where I need to practice and what I need to keep studying. Just the variants of to go (by foot) and to go (by transport) are a huge amount of information to cram into an already packed brain.
     Saturday I got to go sledding for the first time in a few years. I got an invite from the McLanes in the morning to go with them to the northern side of Kiev. There is a spot right on the bank of the Dnipr where a lot of people go. There aren't many options in the city but this was a good small hill. Someone had laid down an icy patch that provided a lot of fun. I could slide down it without a sled. I got wet and cold and then hot. It was a great day. Afterwards I got to spend the evening with the McLane kids, playing games and watching a movie. Go here and here for videos.

The view from the top of the hill.

Out on the ice of the Dnipr.

The Big City Christmas meal.

     That brings me up to today. Sunday was a normal morning at church. Max didn't preach though, it was another member of the church. Its nice to have a change like that sometimes. I'm sure my translator appreciated it. The fill-in didn't speak nearly as fast as Max normally does.
     After church we had a big lunch at the office. It's a tradition to have a big meal right after the Orthodox Christmas. This one was very good. I didn't have time to prepare anything this time so I just bought some drinks and snacks at the grocery store (not the new one) and brought those.
     That's about all the update I actually have for what I've been doing. Tomorrow things finally get back to normal. I came back from the party around 3PM to rest and relax before tomorrow. Monday brings the first of the English club meetings for this year. Next Sunday we'll get back to hosting the Liberty English club.

Missions in Ukraine:
     I asked a member of the Big City missions team about the vision for missions from their church. They said their main goal is sending short-term teams to other churches to help them with their projects. That means events like Vacation Bible Schools, outreach and ministry. So far, they have sent teams to Virginia and Texas.
     Their second main goal is sending out long-term missionaries. Big City already has a long-term missions project in supporting one of the workers aboard the Logos Hope. They are also in the process of raising money and planning for sending someone to Bosnia and Herzegovina (it's one country as I learned today).
     In general, their priority destinations are the USA and Europe. Big City is part of the Radstock organization. They help to connect churches for the purpose of partnership and missions. Radstock is a global organization but, for now, focuses on the northern hemisphere. Big City were part of a roundtable discussion last fall (around the same time I went to Poland) and will be at another in March in Washington DC.
     The Big City team is also interested in bringing in more short and long-term missionaries to Kiev. In a way, I'm part of the fruit of that vision. As I've found, there's only so much of me to go around. That's why they also want to bring in more helpers from around Europe as well. Since they are so close, it's much easier (and cheaper) for someone from the UK or mainland Europe to come here for a few weekends every year. They will get to help with activities like teaching in the English club or participating in retreats for the church and the English club.

Neighborhood Update:
     The building that has been under construction since I got here is finally open to the public. I don't think it's done yet but it's close. The lower floor is complete and that was the important part. Because, now I don't have to walk so far when I need to get groceries. Novus is a chain of grocery stores here. There is actually a full-sized one about three blocks from here. However this is an express version. It's small, clean, well-lit, and, best of all, not crowded. I went in there last night and it's like stepping into any small grocery store in the US. The "8-23" is their hours of operation and the white letters translate to "express."

However, on the day they opened, I had to put up with loud music all day. Since I can literally look down on the building from my balcony, the sound didn't have far to travel or much chance to abate.
     As a closing note, if you're a regular reader in a country other than the US or Ukraine, please sound off in the comments. I'd like to hear from you about how you found the blog and what keeps you coming back to read it. Thanks.
     And don't forget to keep checking the photos page. Just click on the link on the right and it'll take you to the gallery of pictures and videos I've taken in the five months I've been here.