Saturday...

Getting to rest, although it was a jet lagged rest at best, was very nice. Saturday morning was unpacking and getting ready to see the children's teacher, Marina, and work with her some. Then Vadim, the new preacher candidate, wanted a short meeting.

We got to the building and went over some lesson plans, gave some goodies to the teachers, and went over some teaching methods and just visited about the students who were coming to the church, etc. Then, Vadim came about an hour later and we met together as well.

That was quite a meeting. We did not leave until after 8:00 p.m. (almost 9:00 in fact) and the meeting started around 2:30 or so. There was much that needed to be discussed, and it was a very difficult and emotionally draining meeting. BUT...I got thru it, thanks to much prayer, and we left on very good terms.

Afterwards, Rita, Tanya, Ira (her daughter), went to eat dinner and then visit the park. We actually stayed across the street from the park and people watched from our table. We drank tea, laughed, fellowshipped, and encouraged one another in the Lord. It turned out to be a Hookah (I hope that I spelled that right) Bar (not an alcoholic bar, but they did serve some drinks there). The restaraunt served food, sweets, tea, coffee, some alcohol, and allowed people to smoke hookah pipes. It was interesting to see how "cool" people sat around and destroyed their lungs all the while laughing, talking, and looking "very cool". I was very glad to not be one of the "cool" ones, and we actually got to sit where we were not affected by the smoke but got a great view of Chevshinko Park. It is delightful.

This weekend is a holiday weekend. Ukrainian Independence Day (from the Soviet Republics, not USSR) so a lot of people were on holiday and walking in the park and going to the Dneper river and swimming, etc. The streets, parks, and mall areas were full of people. It was a lot of fun.

Not too late...we returned home and was I ever ready for BED. I was glad for the opportunity to visit with Ira and her mother, they are delightful sisters in the Lord and are in much need of encouragement. Ira lives about 2 1/2 hours away and came in for the holiday and will be back next weekend to worship with us again.

The next day will be the Lord's day...a time for renewing old friendships and making new ones as well! Good bye for now...much love from me

Jackie
p.s. my blood sugar is a little high, but I am working on it!