Chernovtsy

Home Sweet Chernovtsy

It has been a little over a week since I have returned to Chernovtsy. I have begun to settle into my new surroundings. While here, I am living in an apartment that also serves as the office, storage, and distribution center for Aquila Foundation. No worries, I am not living here alone. I have traded my mouse in Vapnyarka for a kitten, named Zoosie. We are learning to live with each other. My neighbors are elderly women who think it is there job to make sure I am doing what I am supposed to. When I took my trash out the other day, one was sitting outside her door. She stopped me to look in my bag. Shuffling through kitty litter and moldy bread she soon discovered I had nothing to offer and gave me directions to the dumpster. Only in Ukraine could I have experienced the Trash Police.

I have discovered another interesting cultural difference. In the United States we use North, South, East, and West to give directions. Because most people drive themselves it is important that they be somewhat directionally aware of where they are going. For example, I know that if from my house I go South on I-71 I will soon arrive in Cincinnati but if I go North I will end up at the outlet malls in Jefferson. If I don’t know which way I am going I could end up in the wrong place. North, South, East, and West are not used as often here in the Ukraine. This is partly due to the fact that the majority of people use public transportation. They do not care which direction they go as long as they get to their destination. They do have a way of identifying where they are that we do not use in the United States. Instead of North, South, East, or West they use Lenin. There is a statue or bust of Lenin in every city, town, or village square. From Lenin you can find your way anyway in the community.

It is still uncertain as to how long I will be serving here in Chernovtsy. God has blessed me with work organizing and developing ministries for the local community. Thus far much of my time has been spent working with the flood relief efforts. Please pray that God will guide my steps as I continue to serve in Ukraine. Pray for the Aquila Foundation as they serve their community. I will also be traveling to Romania for the last weekend of August in order to fulfill the Ukrainian Visa requirement of leaving the country every 90 day. Please pray that God will be with me as I travel and for the ministry of the church in Romania. I hope to have news and updated photos of the flood relief efforts posted soon. Thank you for your continuous prayers, support, and encouragement.

God Bless, Tiffany