Adjusting

April 26, 2008
Adjustment: The past couple of weeks have been difficult ones, as I adjust to living in Vapnyarka. It has been exhausting and trying at times. I had a lot of fear and anxiety. This week in the midst of all my worries God has calmed my Spirit. It is as though something inside of me has found peace and rest. He has made me flexible when I have been stretched the most. Yesterday was one of those times. The people I am living with are remodeling their home. During the first week of May I knew I would be moving out for a couple of days while they replaced the window in my room. Thursday, I was told they would be doing it next week and that I would pack up my things on Monday when I returned from Kiev. This was fine. I can deal with change as long as I know in advance and am able to prepare myself. Friday morning the lady I was staying with put my clothes in the wash and showed me wear to hang them to dry. This was a fun experience for me, which I was going to take a picture of but then decided that there are just some things that should not be posted on the internet, my laundry – clean or dirty is one of them. As my clothes were hanging to dry the lady I am living with came in to tell me (In Russian and a lot of Hand Motions with Sound Effects) that I needed to pack up all my stuff to take to the children’s center. When I finally figured out she meant today, not Monday I took a deep breath and began packing. This would not have been so difficult except that many of my clothes were wet, including my towel. I desperately needed a shower, also but she had the hot water turned off. Usually I would be very overwhelmed in this situation but God helped me through it. I washed my hair with cold water in the sink. I allowed my clothes to dry as best they could while I packed other things and then when they still were not dry enough to pack up I did what any American would do, I used my hair dryer. I went to the children’s center later than normal which means I missed lunch but I had a wonderful time with the kids. I was still a little nervous when none o my bags had arrived by 8:00pm, especially my bags I would take on the train but I just made a quick phone call and a plan was made. I made my train on time, my things are stored safely and when I return I am not homeless. I will be living at the children’s center, which makes me a little nervous but I am also excited about it.
SPRING! The Easter season; It all gives way to life. There are new beginnings everywhere. Things are beautiful and fresh. I am reminded of the beauty of God everywhere I look. It is refreshing to the soul to breathe in the warm air. It is amazing to me how much weather effects people, especially children. Thursday and Friday were spectacular days for the children. Many of them are preparing for Easter, making decorations, picking out their clothes, and even going to church to practice singing for Sunday.
Thursday the kids were able to pick some new clothes out of a box from America. The girls were giggling as they held things up for each other to try. The way a girls face lights up when she is able to pick something new to wear, something that belongs to her, is a universal condition. The boys were happy too, not so much because of the clothes but because the warm weather meant they could play outside. What were they playing? Why Football of course. As I watched the children running to and fro, enjoying life, laughing, smiling and just experiencing the pure joy of life, I found myself glowing. I wondered if this is what God feels like when he sees his children enjoying the life he had given them.
I boarded a train last night at 12:30am in Vapnyarka and arrived in Kiev at 6:45am. Needless to say I did not get a lot of sleep last night. The train is a fun experience but the constant sounds of the rails, frequent stops and its tendency to speed up and slow down without notice makes falling into a restful sleep difficult.
Honk, honk! Vroom, vroom! I can hear the humming of construction in the distance, the screeching of breaks from the trolley on the corner and the hustle and bustle of people on the street outside my window. I am once again in Kiev. I will be here for the weekend to fellowship with other missionaries from all over Ukraine and other parts of the world and to celebrate the Easter holiday.