By The Way, I'm In Ukraine

I haven’t given an update in a while, and I apologize for that.  After being tired of waiting to hear back from schools of never getting a full-time job, I finally decided to make a move.  After getting in touch with mutual friends who were missionaries in Ukraine, I decided to finally make a decision and go. 

While here, I have been able to help teach English, work with local youth outreach type ministry, learn a lot from the missionary couple here, befriend many amazing people here, immerse myself in their culture/ways here, and so much more!

I simply haven’t felt led to share anything for some time via my website.  Questioning myself “What do I have to share?”.  Can you relate?

Ukraine's Excommunicated President Yanukovich's house outside Kiev

Life has been good here, and great hosts have certainly blessed me.  The fighting we’ve heard/read about that is going on in Ukraine is specifically bottled in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions/cities where the heaviest of the pro-Russian rebels are located.

Life lessons being learned of how to take things as they come.  Having the definite goal in mind, but slowly moving forward.  Despite setbacks.  Despite people who are difficult to work with.  Having a peace about everything is a very important place to be at.  To be in a community of others who understand and want to move forward with you. 

A glimpse of the remaining protestors still living in the central square of Kiev.

Having Peace.  This is biggest thing I have gotten from my time here so far.  To have the analytical and planning mind to shut-up and chill is so crucial for anyone.  For my Spirit to have a peace with where I’m at.  It’s a very tough lesson to learn.  Once you get to this "point", it's still an ongoing battle.  You don’t learn it from reading a book or a class.  You learn it through the nitty gritty and all the not-so-fun stuff of Life.  In the end, it is beautiful.

At a view point on an island overlooking the local dam in central Ukraine.