back from the mountains!

so i'm back from our mid-trip adventure and about ready to have another one in the next few weeks!


tuesday night we boarded a train that took us to a village about 2 1/2 hours outside of zhytomyr. there we waited for our big train which took us all the way to another village (i don't remember any of the names of the cities we were in except l'viv. apologiez) closer to the one we were staying at. ooh this is confusing and not fun. 


it was a night train, so we got to sleep on it! fun! i climbed up on the top bunk thing and the window was open right by my face the whole night sooo aside from the snores of the train and the bursting of my eardrums as we passed other trains, it was fairly nice. i didn't sleep sooo well, but it was pretty kewl. also, i realized that snoring completely grosses me out. no offense to anyone who snores, i'll just sleep in a different room. honestly it makes me want to gag. and then punch someone because it keeps me up worse than anything else.


anyways, so we got to this town and boarded a mashutka (yeah i dunno) which is like a mini charter bus a little bigger than a 16 passenger van. we rode that for a few hours to this beautiful log cabin in the foothills of the carpathian mountains. i wish i had pictures, but i used the ole canon all week so i'll have to wait to get those developed. it was completely beautiful. and it was rainy and cold the whole time, which sounds super lame, but it was actually so refreshing. 


the three days there consisted mainly of taking naps, reading, relaxing in general and eating. it was so great. highlights: we went souvenir shopping in this little market place near a suhweet waterfall. i got several pretty neat things for people. don't be offended if i didn't get you anything. kbyeee. also - i lead the way through a mountainside hike. well, like part of the time. but still. a)i went mountain hiking. in my sporty shoes, obviously. that was the most legit outdoorsy i've ever been i think. b)i embraced the role of fearless leader for a period of time. and no, there was no trail. i was very sacagewea. 


lets see...we also got lots of ice cream all the time and were loud americans very often. but it was okay because tanya liked it i think. she's the best.


alright so then saturday morning we loaded up on another mashutka at 6 a.m. to go to l'viv. imagine 65th and allisonville headed towards binford. you know how awful that road is? like you feel like your car is going to fall apart driving over it? that was my life for 3 hours. it was the most ooc road i've ever been on. like every time i started drifting off to sleep, i got whiplash and was jolted awake. i bet it was funny to watch. chris actually fell out of his seat and onto me at one point. the good news is that we thought it would take 6 hours and it actually took 3. soo someone was wayyy off.


l'viv is sooo beautiful. it's really european (apparently) with tall buildings and cobblestone roads and balconies and all that. we walked around and saw some great churches, went to a marketplace, coffeeshops, mcdonald's, ect. 


another highlight: we got accosted on the tram. this is the picture. four americans and one ukrainian. we get on the tram with our money out, ready to pay like good citizens and tourists. in zhytomyr, the conductor person will come and take your money and give you a ticket. you just stand there and do nothing. so we assumed it was the same in l'viv. suddenly two women appear on either side of our group and start saying words to us that we obviously don't understand. i just look down or at tanya wide-eyed and oblivious, duh. she says that we are going to be fined because we didn't pay at the beginning. we had no idea that was the rule, it wasn't written anywhere and no one was there to tell us what to do. so tanya tells them that we're sorry and we'll pay our 1 gryvna (eh, spelling?). they say more things which i assume are "no no no, you're american so you'll pay us 20 each as a fine or we'll call the police." actually i don't assume, that is actually what they said. so instead of jumping off the tram at the next chance and running away, we ended up paying 100 gryvna for what should have been 4. welcome to l'viv! we hate tourists!


so that was fun.


the rest of the city was beautiful and fun and we saw some great never nudes, the grim from harry potter, and masha! she met us there. how fun!


so right before we're about to head to the train station, it is decided that chris is headed straight to the sea with haven, a part of last bell he's working with. so that was fun/stressful/exciting. also, we had a version of mexican food for tanya's birthday. it was really pretty good. 


okay so other best part of the trip: we may or may not have almost gotten deported. 


we're standing in the train station at 9:20 p.m. - our train leaves at 9:40. we're saying goodbye to chris, and figuring out where he's sleeping, ect. right as we turn to leave, two men in armed uniforms walk up to us and start saying things that we, again, don't understand. when they realize we can't understand, they just look at us and say 'passport.' 


uh oh. we don't have our passports with us. they're tucked away in a safe in zhytomyr.


so we're all like, 'heh....uh... what? we don't understand you...?"


tanya gets in feisty mode and starts talking with them, and by this time another police officer has walked up and people are looking. there is minimal translation going on, so we're all standing there dumbfounded.


all we hear is that they're going to kick us off our train that now leaves in 15 minutes and with no refund. and that we're going to get fined - later we find out for 340 gryvna. ouch.


we all get out our paper copies of our passports which is all we have and i hand it to one of the officers. he obviously isn't satisfied with that and says something about how he doesn't know what could be in our bags or if, who knows, we could be part of al-quaeda. we tell him that he can look through our bags if he wants but can he please hurry, because our train leaves in 10 minutes.


as more confusion ensues, masha hands the phone to one of the men - she called ira. duh duh duhhhhhh. it's going downnnnnnnnn. ira is THE MAN. 


she talks to one of them and like 5 minutes later he hangs up the phone and says that we can go this time, but next time you better have your passport and all your paperwork with you or you'll be in big trouble, mister. 


i'm still not quite sure what she said, but ira worked her magic. of course.


so all that to say, we need to carry our passports from now on. oopsies. 


it did make for a good story, though. and an interesting insight into the inner workings of that side of ukrainian culture/politics, ect. maybe i'll try to explore that later.


anways, i slept like a baby on the train until 3 a.m. when we had to switch trains, which is when i started feeling like i actually got hit by one. but then i took a nap in my bed at ira's and had a yummy breakfast and now i'm at the mall doing work before we leave for camp tonight! 


sheesh! it's craziness over here and i love it.


so anyways, i probably will have little to no internet until july 16, which is when the second camp ends. maybe i will in between camps, but i'm not counting on it. 


we'll keep pumping out articles, so keep a lookout for those!


sorry for the mass information overload! 


i don't really know how to end this....


talk to you in 3 weeks ish!


love you all byeeeeeeee.

just so ya know.

we're heading to the mountains today and then straight to camp after that for the next two weeks. soooo updates and embarrassing stories might begin to be few and far between.

hopefully i'll get some chances to tell fun things!

just thought i should let y'all (HAHA that was a joke) know that.

i'm disgusted at myself. that wasn't a funny joke.

kbyeee.

hiii

dear diary,

barry is currently shoving bread and cheese down his throat. nom nom nom.

also, krystallin says, "he kills my computer's soul."

also, orange fanta here is better than at home. so is coke. that's a big statement.

also, it's maksim's birthday. he didn't tell me what he got because he couldn't say the words in english, but i think he's hiding something.

svetia just burned me a celine dion cd. jealous? should be.

yesterday nothing of note happened, so it's fine.

i did get to skype daddy-o on father's day. best.daughter.ever. hah. shutka, shutka. (jokes, jokes).

it only took me 30 minutes to walk to mtu today. and i only briefly went the wrong way once! yay!

here's another picture of koko because she is so cute. and no, i'm not becoming a dog person, don't worry.

kbyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

and yes, those are sporty shoes + jeans. don't judge me.

two words.

Two words.

Pastor Peter.

Yesterday consisted of this: camp, free wifi/espresso (not free) at the mall and THE BEST DINNER PARTY I’ll ever go to in my life.

The American team and Chris, Krystallin, Barry and I all went over to Pastor Peter’s for dinner and I can say it was one of the best nights I think I’ll ever have.

It is not an exaggeration to say that there were 20 courses in this meal. The plates just kept coming, like literally there were 3 rounds of dessert. And Peter and (I don’t know how to spell his wife’s name, so I’m going to type it like I say it) Veera never sat down and ate with us, they were serving the whole time. Let me just list some of the foods that were served: salad, corn, tomatoes with cheese (I tried them), veggies, ham and cheese, more meat, potatoes, more meat, mushrooms, fruit, ice cream and cake. Just to name a few. So good.

After we had reclined to a 45 degree angle and massaged our tummy’s so as to fit in every round and finally digest the food so we can walk out of the house, Peter comes out bearing gifts. He gave each person (at least at the adult table, because yeah, that’s where I sat. Kris and Aunt Vicki, take note for holidays) three Ukrainian chocolate bars, a box of candies and a jar of homemade honey from his beehives. Unbelievable.

Then we all sat around and sang hymns, Peter joining in with his loud and confident baritone voice. I took some videos that I will most definitely post. They’re too good.

It was honestly just one of the best nights I’ve had of food, and hanging out and laughing and praising God. I’ve never seen another person get so much joy out of serving others. Never in my life. The only way we could think to justify eating all this food is that it makes Peter ridiculously happy to feed and serve us this way. The man and his wife are incredible hosts and its impossible not to enjoy yourself and to leave happy, just because he was so joyful.

It was so encouraging! His joy spread to all of us, and his servant heart is an example that I could only wish for.

Let me just be honest, he put American dinner parties to shame.

Anyways, it will long live in my heart as one of the most enjoyable times I’ve had, and hopefully one day I could have a dinner like that for other people.

So let’s all be like Pastor Peter. Bring someone joy and happiness by serving them. Do it today and tell me if it’s worth it (hint: it will be). And it will make everyone around you happy too.

Because despite the hunger, poverty, disabilities, abortion, fear, and death in this world, one thing will always be true: God is good. And we can cling to that, and praise Him every day for it.

Overall, He is good. Remember that forever.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me

Let me hide myself in Thee.

I love you all!

Lauren.

this is what happens.

we are at the mall right now. (krystallin and i)
there is free wifi here. so we have had an americano and lots of espresso.
we watched a little girl bite it hard and start to cry.

nobody plays with me on facebook because of the time difference, so i wander around facebook commenting on random things and writing on random walls. i apologize for the clogging of newsfeeds that i'm sure is happening. also, if that's creepy, it's fine. i sit here and think " oh, it's 5:30 a.m. on a saturday, surely someone is up, right?????" nope. never. also it's almost 11 at home. COME ON.

just kidding. but seriously.

we're about to go have dinner at pastor peter's. aka i will gain 10 lbs in one meal.

it shall be marvelous.

alright, kbyeeee.

i love forgetting what day it is.

Today is Friday, though. 

And today was the dedication of the new playground and yard at MTU!

It looks so beautiful even thought I don’t have anything to compare it to, like to what it used to be. Either way, everything about the little ceremony was wonderful. The kids from the classes gave a special skit – which I videotaped and will try to post because if you watch it and don’t cry then you can get outta town. It was the best thing of my life. And also they recognized the construction workers and contractors which I think is so cool because they got to see what they were a part of in putting this place together. Its seriously insane.

It was so cool to see such a mighty work come into being through God’s hand and to know without a doubt that it is going to be used to bless his children. It’s so encouraging.

And then we got to play with kids and eat and just relax for a little while. There was tons of food and I shoved my face with coke and éclairs, obviously.

The first American team got here yesterday, so everything is new and exciting and all getting ready for day camps and stuff. It’s fun!

The first day was today and it was great. I recognized some faces from when I was around Bible studies and groups and things like that. I’m really excited to get to talk to some of the ladies and here the stories they have to tell.

So today was one of those days that I could’ve just busted into tears several times. One time was watching the kids rehearse their skit. They’re a group of disabled kids that go to school at MTU and they are from ages 5-8 maybe? That’s an estimate. But just watching them melted my heart into a giant puddle on the floor.

Honestly the sweetest and happiest and most precious children you’ve ever seen, just laughing and smiling and listening to Oksana. And like I love just watching them and watching their mothers take care of them and hold them – which is something in and of itself, these little ones actually have mothers who love them. But all of a sudden my heart was gone when I saw this little boy try to walk and how much effort and help it took him to go just a couple steps. And the other kids who, due to physical disabilities just can’t even control their bodies. It’s completely heartbreaking. The skit was so precious and they got up and said their lines and at the very end, they all shouted “thank you!” in Russian (or Ukrainian, I’m not sure) and I almost lost it.

It’s just one of those things, like they didn’t do anything to deserve having a disability, they didn’t get to choose or anything. And like so much of it just doesn’t make sense to me – why would the most precious child have to live a life confined to this set of limitations, just because that’s the way it is?

And why is it not me? How is it that I was born into the situation I was and in the healthy body that I have?

And I mean, trust me, I am thankful for the insane amount of blessings the Lord has given me – my life and my body included, but it’s just honestly something I think about.

Life’s just not fair, I guess. Apparently that’s just what it boils down to.

I long for the day that these sweet souls will have a perfect body and can run and jump and play – what a glorious sight that will be! I can’t wait. There is nothing better than watching little kids run around carefree and with no inhibitions. That day will happen, even for all the kids that didn’t get to do that here and now.

I mean, picture that in your head. Can’t.wait.

Anyways, so between that and the camp meeting when Maksim went through all the disabilities we’ll be encountering at camp, I just thought a lot about that today.

But I know that God is good, and I can see it in the playground at MTU. These ladies and men have given these kids and women and mothers a place to be loved, a shelter, a place for relaxation and support – and it’s all been done through God’s hand. How beautiful!

So yeah, today was good. And of course Ira made a delicious dinner and I’m sitting here full and happy and ready for day 2 of day camps.

Also I think I’m listening to a couple fight outside, I think a girl is crying. Not okay, I’m gonna close the window – I’m creeping myself out.

Anyways, its late and I’m tired.

Thank you all for caring about what I have to say. I mean, I assume that but I hope it’s true. Because hopefully you get some sort of a glimpse into the love of Christ, because I sure am.

Love you all!

Lauren.

day trip.

Today we spent a marvelous day in the beautiful city of Kiev.

Pastor Peter drove us there and we had an interpreter, Tanya along with us. But it wasn’t Tanya B. from MTU, it was a different but equally as wonderful one.

We arrived and boarded the subway and rode into town. I had never ridden a subway, and it was interesting enough. Also it was funny watching Barry almost fall every time we started or stopped moving. Noob. Kidding, I did it too. Also, we took THE LONGEST escalator rides of our lives. Honestly. So.long. We took a video. If I get faster internet I’ll attempt to post it.

The first thing we did was the WW2 museum. There were lots of boyish tanks and stuff outside but the inside was really neat. Even though it was all in Russian/Ukrainian, it was still really interesting. The end was insane. Describing it won’t do it justice, but you walk through the whole museum in a certain order. The last room is set up as a giant banquet hall, the table legs are shell casings, the table is lined with glasses and canteens and like a hundred of the certificates that families received when their family member had died. And then the walls are lined, just absolutely covered with pictures, from one end to the other. Its really quite intense and moving. The museum was great though, and we got to go up to the base of Mother of the Motherland or something. It was pretty kewl.

Also, we played on the peace tanks. Some of us more than others.

After that we went to the monastery, which was just ridiculously beautiful. Oh, I had to stop and get a Coke and a lil baby mini pizza because I had only eaten a Cliff bar. It was obviously delicious. So we went to the monastery and saw all the beautiful architecture, ect. AND THEN we went on an adventure, Indiana Jones style. We got in line to go down to the caves, got our candles and even had to rent skirts and cover our heads (just the ladeez, we got kicked out the first time and had to get back in line). It’s a really spiritual Orthodox thing, so we had to be respectful. So we go down under in these caves with dead patriarchs that have been sitting in these glass cases for like 700 years. And people are going up to them and kissing them, and all this stuff and holding candles, it was crazzzzzy. Like you can see the dead man, obviously covered (except for their hands, which I didn’t see, but were apparently black and shriveled up – kind of like Dumbledore’s), just in these glass cases. It’s really kind of eerie. But it was neat, and an adventure so it was worth it.

We then beebopped over to St. Andrew’s street and wandered up there looking at all the souvenirs and stands and stuff. It was very enjoyable. And there were many interesting things.

Then we went to the main square of the city and played for a while. We got some ice cream, I took lots of creepy sequence shots of Barry’s face because I changed my camera to rapid fire mode, and we walked in the fountain.

Also, I made a new friend.

He took it a little farther than I intended, I didn’t really like him like that. Plus, everyone was watching and it made me feel weird. Needless to say, he wasn’t who I thought he was. But it’s fine, we ended on good terms.

I don’t know.

Kiev was just a really beautiful city. I’d love to go back. And I decided that I could live there, but Barry tried to convince me that I wouldn’t survive the winters, so maybe only seasonally. Anyways, if you ever get the chance, go. It’s gorgeous.

Well we rode back with the first team of Americans and we have a big couple of days ahead what with day camps starting and the ceremony for the playground tomorrow. So hopefully I’ll post this asap.

Things are still marvelous here, and are only bound to get better I’m convinced.

Did anyone eat a the new chick-fil-a sandwich? I NEED TO KNOW.

Alright, gotta get up early tomorrow. Love you all. For realz.

Also, Koko (I don’t know why I assumed her name was with a ‘k’ instead of a ‘c’ but I’m going with it) loves to hug me. And that is what she was doing, just in case anyone might think otherwise. Don’t. kthanks.

also, I’ll probably do another post of just rando pictures from this trip because I don’t want to give them all away on one post because that would make it stupidly long. So that’s fine, right?

Also, second articles should be out soon! Hooooray!

LOVE.

Lauren

i don't have a clever title for this one.

this is from wednesday.

Making up titles is the worst. I’m awful at it.

Let’s see. Today was pretty good. I went into MTU this morning even though I didn’t really need to, but secretly I like eating lunch there. So I did. It was borscht and some other good stuff. The ush (that’s like an abbreviation for ‘usual’ but you can’t really sound it out very well).

Then Chris, Krystallin, Barry and I met at the little French café and I had a delicious Coke-a-Cola Classic and they had gelato. I tried getting there alone (well with my map) and I would have if I would have trusted my heart, but I doubted myself and walked in a circle and had to call for directions. Woh Wohhh.

Then we came back and did some little things and then Ira and I went to her friend Svieta’s house (the one who burned me a Michael Jackson CD – she ROOLZ) and played with her cat, Bucks. He is officially tied for one of the best cats I’ve ever met. That’s huge. You’re welcome, Bucks. He’s a Persian, but he’s currently shaved so now he’s a lion. I love him.

We also listened to Celine Dion and ate dinner. I mean Svieta is the kewlest.

Then we went to Bible study and now we’re back here.

Tomorrow we’re going to Kiev so I don’t know when I’ll get to post this. Sorrrrry.

Ooooh I got a huge blister from some sandals the other day and when I got to the café today, I looked down and my sock and shoe was all BLOODY! Krystallin almost passed out but she didn’t. Anyways, I looked totally tough and kewl and then Svieta fixed me up in her nurse’s office. Plus now my Nike’s (prounounced ‘n-eye-k’s’) look super b.a. and like I’m a hardcore sporty girl. And yes, I just really like saying ‘sporty’ because it makes me sound like the opposite of that, which I suppose I am. I mean I diiiiiiid beat EVERYONE at bball the other day, sooooo…

Wellp. We’ve been here about 2 ½ weeks. Camps start soon and then the rest of the trip will flyy by and then it’ll be over. It’s crazy.

I can’t wait to feed anyone who wants it some delicious Ukrainian food. Because I’m learning how to cook. Like a real life domestic grown up girl. Woman. Yes.

So this has been on my mind and in my heart so here it is for everyone: (it’s kind of long but I have Kris’ Bible and she has all the best parts marked so I have to say it all)

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:19-25

I hope that’s as encouraging to you as it has been to me.

So do it. Spur someone on to love and good deeds. Today.

And remember that he who promised is faithful.

As Pastor Peter always says (and I love), “Alleluia, alleluia, ameen.”

Love you allll. Every single one.

Lorn.

p.s.

more kewl graffiti:

sorry it's been awhile.

Apologiez for not posting yesterday, I kind of forgot. Mah bad.

Let’s see. I haven’t done a whole lot the past few days, mostly just hanging out at MTU. It’s been nice. Monday it was pretty hot but Tuesday it was rainy and chilly – so nice.

I walked all the way from Ira’s to the mission today with a map and my sporty shoes. This is a big accomplishment for me. But like seriously, this is going in the books. I mean I went the wrong way at the beginning, but I realized it and turned around. I’m growing up!

We’ve just been finishing up our second articles and seeing if they need us at the mission, which they haven’t really. But that’s okay. Everyone is very busy with the construction and getting ready for camps, ect. But we’re there if they want us to tag along! I think tomorrow I’m gonna try to go get some pictures and chat with a lady for a story. It should be good.

I did make my little scrapbook for camp. My group leader, Natasha, wanted us to each make little albums with pictures about us. So summary of mine: 1^st page – my name is Lauren (awkward picture of me). 2^nd page – I am from America (arrows at Indiana). 3^rd page – This is my family. I have two brothers and two sisters (hey family). 4^th page – This is my kitten (kitten says ‘meow’). 5^th page – I like to write (half of the Ukrainian alphabet). 6^th page – I like to take pictures (caveman sketch of a camera, like the first film camera you ever got). 7^th page – I like to make friends (waddup stick figures). Best part – the whole thing is written in Ukrainian. Boom. I better be the best leader there.

Let’s see…what else?

We’re going to Kiev on Thursday, so that should be really fun. And then our retreat is in like a week from then I guess.

Svetia, Ira’s friend came over tonight and we hung out and looked at pictures and talked about Michael Jackson and Celine Dion. We’re like, sharing music n stuff.

Also, Barry convinced me to download Picasa, Google’s kewl photo editor thing. Apparently it’s the artsy, photographer thing to do. Hah. That was mostly a joke.

So I thought I was going to come here and lose weight. Unless I stop eating and never take any sort of transportation anywhere, including back to the United States, I don’t see how that can happen considering how full I get at every.meal. This has to change. The sporty shoes are here to stay.

I’m going to try to upload a video from the other day. For now, here are pictures of us being creepy.

(Keeping the shutter open for a long time and moving your eyes around = you look like voldemort).

Anyways, that’s currently my life. I’m about to finish my book. It’s like half good. It’s one of those where I’m not okay with a lot of it, but there are certain things I will take away and keep with me. One of them is this quote,

“I couldn’t care less about evidence and proof and assurances. I just want God. I want God inside me. I want God to play in my bloodstream the way sunlight amuses itself on water.”

I just think that’s very interesting. I like it. Eat, Pray, Love is the book, btw.

I also have to make lesson planz, because they have assigned me two Bible lessons for camp. That’s code for “awkward lauren time as she stumbles over her words for her interpreter and lets give her a Bible, too.”

Just kidding, duh. I already said I’ll be the best leader there. That is a challenge. Even if it means the kefeir drinking contest.

I should paint my toenails.

Alright, Goodnight friends. Love you all.

I need someone to eat the spicy chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A and tell me every wonderful thing about it. I started talking about a buffalo chicken sandwich today and almost started crying.

k. byeeeeeee.

Lorn.

new!

new template.
maybe it's cheesy,
but i think it's cute.

kbyee!

weekend.

We didn’t do a whole lot this weekend but it was nice.

Saturday the four of us hung out at McDonald’s (of course i got chicken nuggets and yes they were delicious) and the place where Barry is staying and watched Modern Family and 30Rock. But honestly, it was so hot that the day was slightly miserable, so we just all sat around sweating all day. Like it was 95 degrees for real, and we had no air conditioning and there was no breeze. Phew. No thanks.

Sunday we visited Tanya’s church (a Baptist one that meets in a bar, heh) and it was very nice. We went to this delicious ice cream place and then to a picnic back in the enchanted forest on the outskirts of the city. It was so nice. We just sat around and chatted and played with babies and badminton and ate. So pleasant.

Ira’s mom came over last night and she dyed her hair and they of course cooked me delicious food. I can’t wait to get these recipes and make them at home.

Lets see… I got yelled at by a money taker on the tram for not giving up my seat for a woman and her baby. Oooooopsies.

I wrote my second article and am currently accumulating the pictures to accompany it.

I don’t really have a lot to do today, so I’m just hanging out and catching up on blogging and reading and the like.

We just have random stuff getting ready for camp and the American teams this week, and on Thursday we’re taking a day trip to Kiev. So that’ll be fun.

Anyways, I’ll write another post later and maybe have more to write about.

Love you all!

Lorn.

Double Header.

That’s exactly what today was. Two orphanages in one day? Phew.

After morning devotions at MTU, we loaded up in Ura’s van and headed out to Romaniv. Having been there for the first time just a week ago, I knew what to expect which in turn allowed me to be excited and not nervous. It has been ridiculously hot the past few days but the ride out there was actually very pleasant.

When we arrived, we were greeted by seven or eight boys in little tank tops and shorts who were very excited to see us. The visit was great, everyone seemed a little more boisterous than usual and there were some new faces:

The Oksana’s did their lesson for the two classes and everyone got to play and make bracelets:

I love looking at their hand-crafted creations:

I wish you could see their reactions when they see their faces on the camera. It’s priceless. I’d take their pictures all day if it meant I could watch the smiles appear on their faces like that.

I also saw my friend from last week. He didn’t invite me to come play this time, but as I watched him from across the room, I wished I could have. He just sat there, really non-responsive and completely still and quiet.  I just wanted with all my heart to take him somewhere where he could feel safe and comfortable enough to come out of his shell and smile and play and be loved. I want to see him be happy and see him smile. I want him to feel a hug, and attention and interest.

He is the sweetest little boy and I just know he would thrive under some tender loving care. Great. Now I’m crying. It just hurt my heart so badly to see him sit there alone with no one to even learn how to try to communicate with him. I mean, the MTU people come and get him to play with them sometimes and it’s so great, but he needs so much more than that. With some care and love he could open up. I don’t even know his name but he has completely grabbed my heart.

I want a family for him. A home. Love. Care.

I know he belongs somewhere.

He deserves to belong somewhere.

They all do.

When it was time to move to the other room, with the more severely disabled kids, it was like walking into another world. The other building is just completely heart-wrenching. Walking down the hallway you see one child huddled on a bench with his hands and arms and legs wrapped in a bandage, there’s another huddled in a wheelchair right outside the door, some sitting on the floor as we pass by, one with no clothes on.

While Oksana does the lesson, I go with Barry, Oksana and Dima to the next room. We got to talk to precious Dima for a little bit about his situation. He has cerebral palsy, but is mentally healthy. Due to his physical disabilities, the orphanage caretakers assume he has a mental disability as well. Over time, the people from MTU have found out that he is mentally sharp and could learn to think better if there were just people there to talk to him. So we had a really nice chat with him, and I think everyone should be ready for a great article from Barry explaining it all. Was that a secret? I hope not. I just hope everyone reads it.

After that, we played with the kids after their lesson:

When it was time to go, we realized we hadn’t seen Ura the whole time. Turns out he just decided to help the men across the street harvest some hay. In 90 degree weather. He’s amazing.

After a delicious lunch at MTU, the four of us and Masha headed to a baby orphanage. I believe the official name is “The House of the Child.” Or something. I kind of expected the worst, and to be coming back with a child that evening. Turns out, I was wrong on both accounts.

This place was incredible. All sorts of therapy rooms, toys, high tech equipment and materials and theories. It was crazy. We thought it must have been privately owned, but it was still government run. Apparently the director, Svetlana just has an amazing heart for the place and has put her life into making it this way. It’s honestly incredible.

Needless to say, I did hold a baby. She smiled at me. It was awful. I want her. Just so precious. We played with the little ones who didn’t cry at our presence. It was great.

It was all that was in me not to run away with sweet lil baby in my arms. Or with all of them.

When we got back in the evening, there was a meeting for all the camp volunteers and I am oh so excited about it! The meeting just got me so pumped. I can’t wait!

Anyways, I’m sorry I didn’t post today, but it was pretty busy. I’ll try to do it all this weekend.

We’ve got a team day tomorrow (yes, mcdonald’s too) and two churches on Sunday because we’re visiting with Tanya and Dima. So that’ll be fun.

Also, I’m a real Ukrainian. I drank kefeir and didn’t throw up. Look it up.

Goodnight,

Lauren.

I’ve got dirty feet.

I’ve also realized that I have to write these things, and any things in different fonts, whatever fits my mood. Currently its ‘lucida console’ size 12. I like it.

Today I went with Masha, Natasha and Svetia to another village with a very complicated name that I can’t remember. I didn’t bring my camera because I was just tagging along with them.

We rode a ‘street car’ which is really just a small charter bus with curtains on the windows and lots of people. It was hot, and there was only a small breeze (the whole ‘no draft’ thing will always be beyond me). But it was pleasant. I like, maybe even love, just taking drives so I enjoyed it.

Basically the whole day was me watching the Crisis Pregnancy ministry of MTU in action. The two women travelled to the village simply to encourage the volunteers of a similar ministry in that town. The women needed advice and ideas and so they gave it to them. I also sat in while Svetia gave a lesson on abstinence and sex things to a group of women.

And then we ate at a homeless shelter and then the women all talked again.

Most of the day consisted of me listening to Masha translate, which is kind of tiring, but it was also interesting. I think that is why I am so exhausted right now, from having to constantly try to pay attention to the translation and all that. Its kind of hard.

Anyways, it was really neat to see these older women coming to help the younger ones. All the people involved in this ministry are crazy passionate about it and its so encouraging to me. Watching people act on things that they truly, deeply believe in is so inspiring. It was just a lovely picture of the Body of Christ working together for one cause. I love love love seeing it played out in real life.

I honestly can barely keep my eyes open. It’s only 9:30. Today was rough, I woke up tired and never got over it, even with coffee. Its really strange.

Tomorrow we are going to Romaniv again and then we are going to a baby orphanage. I am going to lose.it. BABIES EVERYWHERE.

I am pushing through the second half of my book, Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert only for the fact that I know I’m going to read The Fellowship of the Ring afterwards. Yup. It’s over.

I’m also really proud of myself for not having run to my secret stash of cheezits, flavor blasted goldfish, and peanut butter for comfort food solace. I mean, that’s kind of impressive, right?

Anyways, tomorrow I’ll have more stories and pictures.

I am trying to figure out how to upload a video on here, because thanks to Kris, I have been attempting to video tape some things too. But they’re not that good yet.

I am really excited about camp. Masha’s told me all the fun things to do, like going to pick berry’s during free time and I can’t wait to do that.

Alright, I don’t really have anything else to say. Sorry this was kind of boring and lame, but I keep spacing out mid-sentence.

Goodnight!

Lorn