I arrived in Kiev, by train, early on January fifth. It was difficult to leave the children in Vapnyarka, knowing it would be some time before I would see them again and realizing that my time in Ukraine is dwindling quickly. I stayed one day and a night in Kiev. My day was filled with meetings to plan the events that I would take part in during the rest of the week. On the evening of the fifth, I was also blessed by a surprise birthday party thrown by two of the missionary families who live in Kiev. Unfortunately I did not have my camera at the time, so I do not have any pictures but I do have some wonderful sweets, an interesting banya kit, and a “Happy Birthday” poster created by a true artist.
On the morning of January 6th, my actual birthday, I embarked on a journey with a team of five Ukrainians and Bob Skinner, the Field Strategy Coordinator for the CIS. After driving over six hours we reached our destination, Burezshnavolya. Burezshnavolya, home to between four and five hundred people, is located fifteen minutes south of the Belarusian border. It is a place where horse and buggy still outnumber automobiles and where indoor plumbing is not common. The people live and work in close community- borrowing, trading, and taking care of one another. As you can imagine, the January weather was cold and snowy. Although I hold a great dislike for these chilly conditions there is some benefit- It keeps the smell of the outhouse to a minimum. The home I stayed in was warm. Fire wood was put in a small door in a brick wall. The fire heated the brick and in turn heated the rooms of the house. My favorite place to sit and read in the evening was on a stool with my back against the warm brick. Our host Luba used a huge brick oven to cook our food. This roaring oven also helped keep the house warm.
So why travel for hours to this remote place in early January? For those of you who do not know, Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, not December 25th. I went as part of a team to work with the children and youth of the community and the church. During the three day period from the sixth to the eighth we held three sessions for the kids and youth which included a craft, games, English lessons, and a Bible lesson. In addition we took part in a Christmas service for the whole church by serving sandwiches, tea, and fruit and performing a skit of the Christmas story in which I made my Russian speaking acting debut (It wasn’t pretty).
On the evening of the seventh, Christmas, the team and I joined some of the local youth to go caroling. It is a Ukrainian tradition for children to travel from house to house and sing. In return the persons in the homes they are visiting give them candy or money. While the young girls we were with collected money and candy, we distributed calendars on behalf of the local church. As we walked through the town in traditional Ukrainian dress, the moon shone brightly above. As it hit the snow it created a magical glittering effect. I did not even mind the crisp cold air around me as we trudged down the snow covered roads and cut through fields blanketed in white. From house to house we went, no knocking, we just walked in the door and said, “Merry Christmas!”
My time in the village was short but it is an event that shall stay within my heart for the rest of my life. I will always remember the kindness of the people as they lived together; helping meet each other’s needs. It was a quiet, peaceful community, untouched by the rest of the world. Rooted deep in tradition, the people of Brezhshnavolya preserve a way of life that though simple to the rest of the world, is rich in that which matters most- family, community, and love.
On the evening of the eighth Bob and I left for Selishi, for a meeting with all the Nazarene ministries involved with child development, which includes the two House of James and the children’s home in Vapnyarka. It was a long day and a quick trip. We left in the evening for Kiev, where I was to spend the next week as a substitute teacher in the American Christian School.
I spent a week as a substitute in a third grade class. It was fun to teach again, in an English speaking environment. In many ways it was like a vacation. On Monday I came into a class of eight students. While helping one student with a worksheet, I noticed something in her hair that I hadn’t seen in some time… LICE! By the time Friday came the third grade was down to four students. Half the class was home treating lice. Unfortunately, I also contracted lice during the course of the week.
With the discovery of lice in my hair, also came a change in plans. Instead of traveling on to Chernovtsy, I would remain in Kiev an extra week at least, while I was being treated, so that I would have help picking through my hair. I am very thankful to Katie and Dana who have let me live with them during this time. Every night they take the time to search through my hair. Fortunately I have been able to continue working on my computer between loads of laundry and vacuuming the apartment, both essential to ridding the apartment and myself of lice. Oddly enough, the only time I have ever had lice before, was on my first trip to Ukraine.
Lice while it may be a nuisance, is not the end of the world. Every day I’m learning new lessons. I understand Paul better when he talks about being content in every situation. I am finding that God often has another plan, and that we must be flexible.
Please pray with me that the lice in the school and on my head would be gone. Pray for me as I begin to say goodbye to the people here. Pray for me to be motivated to work and that God’s hand would be on all that is going on here. I thank you for your love, prayers, and support over the past ten months. It has been comforting to know that in good times and in bad, I am not alone. God Bless, Tiffany
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Holidays
Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday, Happy New Year, and Again Merry Christmas! That is a lot of holiday cheer to squeeze in two weeks; from the Western Christmas on December 25th to the Eastern Orthodox Christmas of January 7th.
As I have said before, there were not many Christmas decorations up during the month of December. In fact, they begin decorating for New Years around the time of our Christmas. Lights and trees, similar to ours but nowhere as big or as glamorous- but I’ll take what I can get. For Christmas on the 25th, I traveled to Kiev for a more American Christmas. Christmas Eve, I ate dinner at the Wright’s home, which you may remember from my arrival- I stayed with them my first two weeks in Ukraine. Cliff, Hieke, and their son Jonathon welcomed me and two girls from the American International School in Kiev in to their home for a lovely evening. After a delicious meal beside and sparkling conversation we watched an old movie to finish off the evening.
On Christmas Day, I did my best to stay inside- cozy and warm, listening to Christmas music and staring at the Christmas tree, till my family got online. Christmas over web cam- not exactly the same thing.
My time in Kiev was short, hence the “Happy Birthday”. Victoria’s Birthday was on the 28th, which means I was on a train on the night of the 26th to arrive in Odessa on the morning of the 27th. The traffic in Kiev on the 26th was worse than mall traffic on Christmas Eve. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get to the station when traffic is moving. It took a half an hour to get half way there. Even though, Cliff and I left an hour before my train was to leave, there was a chance we wouldn’t make it. We had a choice to make- continue to inch through traffic, or take the subway. Cliff, parked on the side walk (this is normal in UA), we grabbed my bags and pushed through the crowds of people instead of bumpers. It may be crowded on the subway, but it is always going. We made it with five minutes to spare. As I settled into my compartment, Cliff went back out to battle his way back home.
HAPPY SWEET 16
December 28th marks a very special day- Victoria Skala’s Birthday. For those of you who are clueless as to who this is, she is my American-Ukrainian friend whose mother founded World Light Foundation and the children’s home I am volunteering in. We celebrated this even in Odessa, where her mother is living and where she just planted a new church.
On the evening of the 27th we attended a Special Christmas Church Service. As part of the service, Birthday’s of the week were celebrated. Vica and another woman went up front, where they were read birthday blessings and given gifts. I was called up front to pray a special blessing over her, which was translated by her mother. Other events of the evening included, gift giving, lots of picture taking, communion, prayer, and the singing of songs.
I was able to help with the picture taking by taking a group picture of the entire congregation. There was a small obstacle to overcome before the picture could be taken- The Christmas Tree! It was bumped and came crashing down. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of it on the ground- it was a priceless Christmas moment, and I was trying not to laugh in all the confusion and surprise it brought. It did not help the matter, that Andrei and Sasha (whom you may remember from my previous trip to Odessa) were laughing at me laughing, and making faces. The tree was set back upright, only to fall again in the other direction, just missing the group of people. Once again the tree stood, and everyone else was in place for a picture perfect moment. (A side not about the tree: carefully observing it, one would notice a unique ornament, which Vica and I found rather entertaining; a plastic fork that had been glitterized. Apparently, a fork is an important holiday symbol.)
During the service, I also heard a familiar Christmas tune: Jingle Bells. While I don’t know what they sand for the verses, the chorus went something like this- “Ding, Ding, Dong! Ding, Ding, Dong!”
It was a lovely evening of celebration and fellowship. One of the last songs, sang was about family, in which the entire church formed a circle and held hands. “You are my brother”, “You are my sister” were a few of the phrases. Family, that is what church truly is.
Over the course of the two days I was in Odessa we ate three cakes, all of which were labeled chocolate, but none of which were.
On the evening of the 28th was Victoria’s Birthday dinner. Joined by her friends and family we celebrated by eating a lovely meal, which included American Stuffing (from a box, of course). Oddly enough, the Ukrainians were hesitant to taste this dish. Before the evening was through, everyone at the table stood and made a toast to the Birthday girl.
Birthdays are a joyous celebration of life. It is a time when we can reflect back on our past, remembering the good times and the bad but knowing God was there through them all. It is a time to look toward the future with hopes and dreams about what is to come.
Both Sides of the Track
When I bought my ticket from Kiev to Odessa, the train was full with the exception of three beds, all in SV- the first class section. Unlike Coupe, where I usually travel, there are two beds instead of four. The beds are already made up for you and you do not have to remake them in the morning. When I got on the train at 6:00pm there were two of us in my compartment. He got off at about 10:00pm which meant, I had the room to myself the rest of the journey. It was a nice quiet ride.
In contrast, my journey from Odessa to Vapnyarka was in Plas-Cart. This was a first for me and hopefully a last.
I left Odessa for Vapnyarka on the evening of the 28th along with Luba, the director of the children’s center, her granddaughter Yulia, whose family I lived with for a short time early in my journey, and Vassai, one of the eldest boys in the children’s center. Vassia was in another train wagon. I was left with Luba and Yulia, not really sure what to do nor very comfortable in my surroundings.
Plas-Cart has no doors inside the wagon, no separate rooms. It is divided into sections of six beds, three sets of bunk beds. An aisle way runs the length of the wagon, connecting all the compartments. Four beds are on one side of the aisle, each set of bunks is on an inside wall with the wall to the outside at the head of the bed. The aisle is at the foot of the bed. There is a small table between the two bunks. It is very much like a coupe compartment, only there is not door and instead of a wall an aisle. The two other beds are set between the opposite outside wall and the aisle.
When I walked in the door the smell almost knocked me off my feet. It was a toxic aroma of body odor, onion, and alcohol. I was silent, as I walked down the aisle to my place, so as not to be recognized as a foreigner. I sat down at my designated place, a seat by a window. A table sat between me and another seat. The aisle that stretched the length of the wagon was to my left and on the other side four beds, three of which were occupied. With a jolt the train started to move. Sitting in my seat, I wasn’t sure what was going on. Many people had unrolled the mattresses available and made themselves comfortable. Would there be sheets? I didn’t know.
The man across the aisle was looking at me with distaste as if he knew something was different about me- he knew I was uncomfortable. I examined the table next to me, figuring it somehow turned into a bed, but how exactly I didn’t know. And then thankfully, the conductor came to collect tickets and pass out sheets to those who chose to buy them. It disgusted me to think that sheets could be optional. This thought was magnified every time I heard someone at the other end of the train cough.
After getting her granddaughter into bed she helped me fold the table down and make my bed. With my purse pressed against me inside of my coat, my laptop under my pillow and my book bag under my bed I laid down on the sheet covering my mattress, shoes still on, while Luba covered me with another. She then placed a wool blanket over the sheet to keep me warm. I lay right under the window. As the train moved along the tracks it rocked back and forth. Normally this rocks me to sleep, but I am usually rocking back and forth from my toes to my head. Because my bed ran vertically along the wagon wall I rocked from left to right. I feared rolling right out onto the floor during one of the big turns as the train jostled back and forth.
My scarf was wrapped around my head and my winter hat on. It was COLD! I do not believe the heat was on and people were continuously coming through the wagon, letting the cold night air in, every time they opened the door. I could not sleep. I watched the men across from me eat food that I have never seen and would never care to see again while they poured each other shots of vodka. The lady in the next section over was snoring loudly. I was praying that the six hour journey would pass quickly. Finally at 4:30am I arrived to a snowy winter wonderland in Vapnyarka, more thankful than ever to get off the train.
Bringing in the New Year!
In the United States we celebrate New Years by getting together with family and friends. Festivities usually begin in the evening of the 31st. People often like to eat dinner together. Many play games. Some dress up and go to extravagant parties. Any time between six and eight o’clock in the evening parties begin. As it gets close to midnight in the Eastern Time zone millions of television set are turned on to watch a crystal ball drop in Times Square. Shortly after midnight, people make their way home and most people are pouring themselves into bed between one and two AM.
In Ukraine, midnight is not that big a deal- January 1st is the big deal. Parties begin about 11:30, or at least that is when people arrive. At midnight the party starts. The party begins on January 1st instead of ends. Starting at midnight, there is eating, games, and dancing.
I was able to take part in the Ukrainian customs and festivities with the lovely children in Vapnyarka. I arrived in the late afternoon. As I carried my bags of packages down the snowy street I saw the most beautiful sight. In front of me, the sun was setting, giving the world a pink and orange glow, above me a dark night sky, black and clear except for the moon and one star shining brightly beside it. Although you could see the outline of the whole moon, only a small crescent shown toward the setting sun. It was peaceful and serene.
As I said before the party doesn’t start till late, so the kids and I stayed busy playing English Alphabet BINGO and UNO. On the television was New Years
programming, similar to ours with concerts and holiday wishes. At 11:00, several of the girls put on their best dresses. They did their hair and their make-up. The boys, stayed in their sweats. Around 11:30 there was a bang on the door. It was a special guest- Dit Morose (Grandpa Rosy Cheeks/ Santa Clause). He came with a bag full of toys and gifts for the kids. After reciting some scripture or singing a song, the kids were rewarded by being able to reach into the bag and pull out a prize. Then with Dit Morose there, we all got on our knees and bowed our heads. A few of the children prayed, thanking God for their blessings of this past year and praying for the new. When we opened our eyes again, it was just after midnight.
Time to start the party.
First things first at any party- FOOD! After removing his beard and costume Dit Morsose became a sister from church. She joined us for a feast of chicken, salads, cheese, bread, and calbosa. Joy, fellowship, and laughter, it was a beautiful beginning of a new year.
Dancing followed. The kids danced around the room and goofed off to music in the light of the Christmas tree. Many of the boys decided to watch from the couch.
One of my favorite parts of the morning was the gift giving that happened next. When my mother was here in October she brought with her small toys and pajamas for each of the kids that were donated by friends and supporters in the states. Their faces were glowed as they opened their packages. They were special gifts given in love and prayer. What touched me even more was the response of some of the young boys. While the other kids tried on their pajamas or played with their toys. Four boys were in their bedroom consulting. When they came out, they brought me some of their own stuffed animals from their beds. To many, this may not seem like much, it means the world to me- for it is a great gift, when one gives the only thing they have to give. I held back tears as I hugged them.
1:30 GAMES!
2:00AM Time to eat again!
2:30AM Sparklers- in the house (Because it is obviously too cold outside). Fireworks- Outside.
The kids passed out through the night- one by one. Finally at a little after 4:00AM Luba declared the party over, and we all went to bed. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What’s Next?
Christmas! According to the Eastern Orthodox calendar Christmas is January 7th. I shall be traveling on my birthday, the 6th to North Western Ukraine where I will be teaching English at a children’s retreat. It should be an interesting time of exploring the Ukrainian Christmas Customs. Please pray for the retreat. I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all. God Bless, Tiffany
As I have said before, there were not many Christmas decorations up during the month of December. In fact, they begin decorating for New Years around the time of our Christmas. Lights and trees, similar to ours but nowhere as big or as glamorous- but I’ll take what I can get. For Christmas on the 25th, I traveled to Kiev for a more American Christmas. Christmas Eve, I ate dinner at the Wright’s home, which you may remember from my arrival- I stayed with them my first two weeks in Ukraine. Cliff, Hieke, and their son Jonathon welcomed me and two girls from the American International School in Kiev in to their home for a lovely evening. After a delicious meal beside and sparkling conversation we watched an old movie to finish off the evening.
On Christmas Day, I did my best to stay inside- cozy and warm, listening to Christmas music and staring at the Christmas tree, till my family got online. Christmas over web cam- not exactly the same thing.
My time in Kiev was short, hence the “Happy Birthday”. Victoria’s Birthday was on the 28th, which means I was on a train on the night of the 26th to arrive in Odessa on the morning of the 27th. The traffic in Kiev on the 26th was worse than mall traffic on Christmas Eve. It usually takes about 15 minutes to get to the station when traffic is moving. It took a half an hour to get half way there. Even though, Cliff and I left an hour before my train was to leave, there was a chance we wouldn’t make it. We had a choice to make- continue to inch through traffic, or take the subway. Cliff, parked on the side walk (this is normal in UA), we grabbed my bags and pushed through the crowds of people instead of bumpers. It may be crowded on the subway, but it is always going. We made it with five minutes to spare. As I settled into my compartment, Cliff went back out to battle his way back home.
HAPPY SWEET 16
December 28th marks a very special day- Victoria Skala’s Birthday. For those of you who are clueless as to who this is, she is my American-Ukrainian friend whose mother founded World Light Foundation and the children’s home I am volunteering in. We celebrated this even in Odessa, where her mother is living and where she just planted a new church.
On the evening of the 27th we attended a Special Christmas Church Service. As part of the service, Birthday’s of the week were celebrated. Vica and another woman went up front, where they were read birthday blessings and given gifts. I was called up front to pray a special blessing over her, which was translated by her mother. Other events of the evening included, gift giving, lots of picture taking, communion, prayer, and the singing of songs.
I was able to help with the picture taking by taking a group picture of the entire congregation. There was a small obstacle to overcome before the picture could be taken- The Christmas Tree! It was bumped and came crashing down. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of it on the ground- it was a priceless Christmas moment, and I was trying not to laugh in all the confusion and surprise it brought. It did not help the matter, that Andrei and Sasha (whom you may remember from my previous trip to Odessa) were laughing at me laughing, and making faces. The tree was set back upright, only to fall again in the other direction, just missing the group of people. Once again the tree stood, and everyone else was in place for a picture perfect moment. (A side not about the tree: carefully observing it, one would notice a unique ornament, which Vica and I found rather entertaining; a plastic fork that had been glitterized. Apparently, a fork is an important holiday symbol.)
During the service, I also heard a familiar Christmas tune: Jingle Bells. While I don’t know what they sand for the verses, the chorus went something like this- “Ding, Ding, Dong! Ding, Ding, Dong!”
It was a lovely evening of celebration and fellowship. One of the last songs, sang was about family, in which the entire church formed a circle and held hands. “You are my brother”, “You are my sister” were a few of the phrases. Family, that is what church truly is.
Over the course of the two days I was in Odessa we ate three cakes, all of which were labeled chocolate, but none of which were.
On the evening of the 28th was Victoria’s Birthday dinner. Joined by her friends and family we celebrated by eating a lovely meal, which included American Stuffing (from a box, of course). Oddly enough, the Ukrainians were hesitant to taste this dish. Before the evening was through, everyone at the table stood and made a toast to the Birthday girl.
Birthdays are a joyous celebration of life. It is a time when we can reflect back on our past, remembering the good times and the bad but knowing God was there through them all. It is a time to look toward the future with hopes and dreams about what is to come.
Both Sides of the Track
When I bought my ticket from Kiev to Odessa, the train was full with the exception of three beds, all in SV- the first class section. Unlike Coupe, where I usually travel, there are two beds instead of four. The beds are already made up for you and you do not have to remake them in the morning. When I got on the train at 6:00pm there were two of us in my compartment. He got off at about 10:00pm which meant, I had the room to myself the rest of the journey. It was a nice quiet ride.
In contrast, my journey from Odessa to Vapnyarka was in Plas-Cart. This was a first for me and hopefully a last.
I left Odessa for Vapnyarka on the evening of the 28th along with Luba, the director of the children’s center, her granddaughter Yulia, whose family I lived with for a short time early in my journey, and Vassai, one of the eldest boys in the children’s center. Vassia was in another train wagon. I was left with Luba and Yulia, not really sure what to do nor very comfortable in my surroundings.
Plas-Cart has no doors inside the wagon, no separate rooms. It is divided into sections of six beds, three sets of bunk beds. An aisle way runs the length of the wagon, connecting all the compartments. Four beds are on one side of the aisle, each set of bunks is on an inside wall with the wall to the outside at the head of the bed. The aisle is at the foot of the bed. There is a small table between the two bunks. It is very much like a coupe compartment, only there is not door and instead of a wall an aisle. The two other beds are set between the opposite outside wall and the aisle.
When I walked in the door the smell almost knocked me off my feet. It was a toxic aroma of body odor, onion, and alcohol. I was silent, as I walked down the aisle to my place, so as not to be recognized as a foreigner. I sat down at my designated place, a seat by a window. A table sat between me and another seat. The aisle that stretched the length of the wagon was to my left and on the other side four beds, three of which were occupied. With a jolt the train started to move. Sitting in my seat, I wasn’t sure what was going on. Many people had unrolled the mattresses available and made themselves comfortable. Would there be sheets? I didn’t know.
The man across the aisle was looking at me with distaste as if he knew something was different about me- he knew I was uncomfortable. I examined the table next to me, figuring it somehow turned into a bed, but how exactly I didn’t know. And then thankfully, the conductor came to collect tickets and pass out sheets to those who chose to buy them. It disgusted me to think that sheets could be optional. This thought was magnified every time I heard someone at the other end of the train cough.
After getting her granddaughter into bed she helped me fold the table down and make my bed. With my purse pressed against me inside of my coat, my laptop under my pillow and my book bag under my bed I laid down on the sheet covering my mattress, shoes still on, while Luba covered me with another. She then placed a wool blanket over the sheet to keep me warm. I lay right under the window. As the train moved along the tracks it rocked back and forth. Normally this rocks me to sleep, but I am usually rocking back and forth from my toes to my head. Because my bed ran vertically along the wagon wall I rocked from left to right. I feared rolling right out onto the floor during one of the big turns as the train jostled back and forth.
My scarf was wrapped around my head and my winter hat on. It was COLD! I do not believe the heat was on and people were continuously coming through the wagon, letting the cold night air in, every time they opened the door. I could not sleep. I watched the men across from me eat food that I have never seen and would never care to see again while they poured each other shots of vodka. The lady in the next section over was snoring loudly. I was praying that the six hour journey would pass quickly. Finally at 4:30am I arrived to a snowy winter wonderland in Vapnyarka, more thankful than ever to get off the train.
Bringing in the New Year!
In the United States we celebrate New Years by getting together with family and friends. Festivities usually begin in the evening of the 31st. People often like to eat dinner together. Many play games. Some dress up and go to extravagant parties. Any time between six and eight o’clock in the evening parties begin. As it gets close to midnight in the Eastern Time zone millions of television set are turned on to watch a crystal ball drop in Times Square. Shortly after midnight, people make their way home and most people are pouring themselves into bed between one and two AM.
In Ukraine, midnight is not that big a deal- January 1st is the big deal. Parties begin about 11:30, or at least that is when people arrive. At midnight the party starts. The party begins on January 1st instead of ends. Starting at midnight, there is eating, games, and dancing.
I was able to take part in the Ukrainian customs and festivities with the lovely children in Vapnyarka. I arrived in the late afternoon. As I carried my bags of packages down the snowy street I saw the most beautiful sight. In front of me, the sun was setting, giving the world a pink and orange glow, above me a dark night sky, black and clear except for the moon and one star shining brightly beside it. Although you could see the outline of the whole moon, only a small crescent shown toward the setting sun. It was peaceful and serene.
As I said before the party doesn’t start till late, so the kids and I stayed busy playing English Alphabet BINGO and UNO. On the television was New Years
programming, similar to ours with concerts and holiday wishes. At 11:00, several of the girls put on their best dresses. They did their hair and their make-up. The boys, stayed in their sweats. Around 11:30 there was a bang on the door. It was a special guest- Dit Morose (Grandpa Rosy Cheeks/ Santa Clause). He came with a bag full of toys and gifts for the kids. After reciting some scripture or singing a song, the kids were rewarded by being able to reach into the bag and pull out a prize. Then with Dit Morose there, we all got on our knees and bowed our heads. A few of the children prayed, thanking God for their blessings of this past year and praying for the new. When we opened our eyes again, it was just after midnight.
Time to start the party.
First things first at any party- FOOD! After removing his beard and costume Dit Morsose became a sister from church. She joined us for a feast of chicken, salads, cheese, bread, and calbosa. Joy, fellowship, and laughter, it was a beautiful beginning of a new year.
Dancing followed. The kids danced around the room and goofed off to music in the light of the Christmas tree. Many of the boys decided to watch from the couch.
One of my favorite parts of the morning was the gift giving that happened next. When my mother was here in October she brought with her small toys and pajamas for each of the kids that were donated by friends and supporters in the states. Their faces were glowed as they opened their packages. They were special gifts given in love and prayer. What touched me even more was the response of some of the young boys. While the other kids tried on their pajamas or played with their toys. Four boys were in their bedroom consulting. When they came out, they brought me some of their own stuffed animals from their beds. To many, this may not seem like much, it means the world to me- for it is a great gift, when one gives the only thing they have to give. I held back tears as I hugged them.
1:30 GAMES!
2:00AM Time to eat again!
2:30AM Sparklers- in the house (Because it is obviously too cold outside). Fireworks- Outside.
The kids passed out through the night- one by one. Finally at a little after 4:00AM Luba declared the party over, and we all went to bed. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
What’s Next?
Christmas! According to the Eastern Orthodox calendar Christmas is January 7th. I shall be traveling on my birthday, the 6th to North Western Ukraine where I will be teaching English at a children’s retreat. It should be an interesting time of exploring the Ukrainian Christmas Customs. Please pray for the retreat. I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all. God Bless, Tiffany
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