Ramblin' Man

L-R: Austin, Brian, Joan, Rich, Guilio, Kristen, Bryson, Jesse.

      Yes folks, it's that time of year again. The time that I and my friends travel to the land of borsch and bobushkas for a frenetic week of English-teaching, friendship-making, culture-sharing camp in Ukraine! And yes I'll be a bit rambly (talking) while I ramble on (fly).

     We've got a good team this year. Nine people total are flying across the pond for the English camp. One more than the last, actually. And all but one have been there before. Rich and Joan are the well-experienced leaders. Austin and Bryson are veterans of X-way Sandcastles last year. Jesse and Phil traveled to Ukraine for their first time in 2016. Kristen actually lived there with her husband for several years doing a similar ministry to what I was involved in. Of course, yours truly, your humble narrator, has been there many times. And the newbie of our group is Guilio.

Having a last meal and game before leaving home soil.

     The team gathered together (mostly) for the first time on Thursday the 19th to drive up to JFK International Airport. All but one of us are actually flying out together. Phil will meet us in Kiev on Saturday.
     We made it through check-in without any problems. But it seems like the TSA is intent on making air travel as unpleasant as possible. They changed the rules about the inspection procedures since I last took to the air. I had to take my snacks out of my bag and put my shoes on the belt by themselves instead of in a bin. They can't make this easy can they?
     The plane didn't actually leave until about 1:30AM Eastern. That put us in about an hour later that we planned. Fortunately it's all been working out alright. Our ride was right on time with a traditional Ukrainian greeting (salt and bread) and a familiar looking van and driver. For the past 5 years, it seems like we've been getting the same driver and van every time the Ukrainian team comes to pick us up. I may be mistaken but they look very familiar.

First supper with some of the Ukrainian staff.

     After a quick check-in and drop-off of our baggage, we set off for dinner. The team had made reservations at a Georgian restaurant in the Sviatoshin district, not far from the church office. If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend the chicken kebabs. That along with a cream soda made for a filling and great meal.
     I'm finally back in my room (shared with Austin) now to finish this up and get some much-needed sleep. But first a few things about camp.
     We have a couple of goals for this camp. Along with the English lessons, we want to use this as a time to build relationships with the students. The Ukrainian staff will use these relationships as a stepping stone to presenting the Gospel. Seeing us and the Ukrainian staff as normal people goes a long way towards dispelling myths about the Protestant church in Ukraine. We also want to be open to share the Gospel whenever we have the chance. Students will be asking us all sorts of questions of us including why we are there. Questions like that are a perfect segue into important spiritual discussions.
     As we go into the final weekend before camp, would you keep a couple of things in prayer? We'll all need endurance as the week progresses. Also, we all need to be ready, willing, and open to talking with the students whenever the opportunity arises. It'll be a hectic week. But taking even a few moments to talk could have eternal ramifications. Lastly, please pray for the students who will be attending the camp. For their openness and interest in what Zhenya will have to say during the "Way Home" lectures.
     Ok, time for me to sign off and get some rest. Tomorrow is a sightseeing day and we'll be putting on many miles (or kilometers) before the day is done.