Austrian Air

I really have to give credit where credit is due. Austrian Air was fabulous this year. They went out of their way to give me the best service possible, and I do appreciate it. They were above the call of duty to get me home as comfortably as possible. It is never fun to have an injury or condition that immobilizes you. When that happens in a foreign country is even trickier. I'm not sure what happened to my knee yet, doc visit today, but I do know what excruciating pain is. It put me on a cane in a country that loves stairs! Can you say going from the hare to the tortoise? The prospect of making my way thru four different airports in three countries, dragging luggage, wearing a heavy backpack, walking with a limp and a cane...I can just say I was dreading it. Oksana, one of my friends and sisters in Ukraine made a few calls for me and I got the hook-up for getting thru the maze. I initially asked just for transport service in D.C. so that I would not miss my connecting flight to Texas. I hadn't really considered the 40 stairs up and the 20 stairs down and the ride on an overcrowded tram transport to the plane that I would have to manuever at DNK airport in Ukraine. Though it was a little disconcerting to depend on the staff to make sure I made my flight, it was actually a God send. They had a wheelchair for me at the airport and I had the least amount of trouble I have ever had getting thru security. The scary part was being wheeled out of the line of sight and left to wait. I kept hearing boarding warnings about my flight. Finally a gate person looked up and assured me that they hadn't forgotten me. I was transported by chair thru the "back" way strait out onto the tarmack and allowed to get on the plane first. Someone carried my backpack and luggage up for me and helped me get seated. The same routine at VIE airport in Vienna. They had a special bus they took me to the terminal in. Also an escort thru Passport Control, all the way thru the maze and wheeled to my hotel across the street. I was assured of an escort in the morning. The next morning, promptly at 7:30 my escort arrived and took me back across the street to the airport. I got thru Passport Control, and security like a breeze. (don't get too excited...still had the security pat down) I was escorted to my gate and assured they would be back to get me on the plane. I even got to sit in the "Business Class" area because of the chair. (that sounds more special than it is, I just didn't have to go thru the cattle call of Economy Class to get my papers checked, no special seats, just a different area) Just as promised, my escort came back and got thru the long wait and on to the plane ahead of the crowd. The plane wasn't crowded so I ended up having a seat between me and the other guy in my row. Niiiiicccccceeee! Of course the fantasy of great service ended at Dulles in D.C. What can I say...welcome home! Thank you Austrian Air...you were the bom...wait...you were the best!

Ritooolia!!

There are no words to completely describe my sweet sister and friend, Rita. She is a sister in the faith, a sister of the heart, and a pit bull in lipstick. Her whole focus while I am here is to see that I am taken care of. She arranges my transportation, meals, meetings, classes, visits, rest, water...I believe that she would go to the bathroom for me so I wouldn't have to use Ukrainian toilets if she possibly could. She is relentless about finding good bathrooms for me. And she reminds me consistantly "if you need the toilet, this is a good one" or "this is not such a good toilet, maybe you can wait". If you have ever been where the facilities are not what you are used to this is truly a blessing! When I first arrive she sets up a schedule of how the days will go. She makes a calendar and starts to set up appointments, class times, visits, etc. I give her a list of who I want to go and see and she does her best to make it happen. This year I was terribly disappointed that especially two woman would not be available. Nadeshzda and Galena are both home bound. Nadeshzda from old age and immobility, and Galena with a broken hip. Their families did not think they were up to a visit. The problem is the tradition here is to entertain guests. So even if you do not want or expect to be entertained, they feel an obligation to do it. I had to respect the desires of their caretakers and had to miss the opportunity to visit with them each. I will probably not get another opportunity to see them this side of heaven, but I sent my love and greetings to them thru their families. Rita is responsible for getting me where I am going. She has to arrange transportation if we cannot use public means, and she has to arrange times to see the people I need/want to see. Sometimes it is difficult to get everything to line up just right. It reminds me of Ginger Rogers. She did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels. Rita has to come from across town (10 to 30 minutes depending on availability and traffic) and be at my flat, or wherever, to meet me and then start her day. She used to come to my flat regardless, but because I can manuever some of the taxi vans she can now just meet me at the church building or Daffy or other places. I have become quite familiar with route number 53, it gets me to most places I want to go. During the time I am here, she comes early in the morning and goes home late at night. When my day ends, she still has a 30 minute travel to get home. (depending on how late, the vans don't run as often) After I go home she has to reintroduce herself to her husband and family since she has not seen them for more than a few minutes a day for the entire time. She is with me sometimes 12 or 13 hours per day. Dedication is not something she has a problem with. Rita takes better care of me than I take care of myself. She was extraordinarily careful after I had the issue with my knee. She was so fearful of me hurting myself, that she was willing to forgo a trip on the Steppe during our outing at Askanyanova. She wanted to go out and see the animals, too. But she was willing to sit at the zoo so I could rest my knee. It was a good thing that I hit "override" on that issue...the bumpy wagon was worth every ache I had afterwards. She finally agreed that it was a better time than sitting at the zoo. My knee was okay, I am afraid that my behind did not fair so well. If I could just shift the "padding" in my belly to my bottom the problem would have been resolved! Rita has a heart as big as Texas. She has such compassion for the homeless dogs and cats of Ukraine. She takes her own money and provides sterilization for as many as she can. She also volunteers at the shelter for them. It is a long car ride out there, the facility is primitive at best, and the work is boring and hard. At the shelter, the dogs are cared for by homeless peolple who in turn get a place to live. It seems to work well for both parties. With Rita, you laugh, you cry, you discuss, you are treated like a queen, you are treated like an unruly child...you are loved...completely and fully! She gives you the care you would receive from our Saviour...loving and compassionate and selfless. She is a wonderful interpreter, manager, and most of all...friend. Rita, I love you. Till next year! P.S. Give Andrew lots of attention and my greetings!

Sweet Baby Jane

How do you explain Jane? When you are supposed to check off the box that describes you when filling out paperwork, there isn't a box that she could check. There isn't a one-size-fits-all catagory for her. She is fiercly loyal, she loves with intensity, and she has a high octane energy that is hard to keep up with at 60+. She let me invade her home and monopolize much of her time for a month without any expectation of financial gain. Many people, for a price, will do what she did. Not many will do it for free. Her generosity allows me to spend the majority of the funds I have on the tasks I came to do. Woman's and children's ministries. (Because I have funds for my room and board Jane does get some compensation, but it is not what I would have to pay other parties.) I have told her over and over, "It shouldn't cost YOU money for me to come here and stay with you." Just this morning, I was sleeping on the couch as Jane got ready for work. She has to creep around very quietly so that she doesn't "bother" me. She is in the middle of getting ready for work...think of your routine...think of it being completely disrupted...every morning...for a month! That is just one of the reasons I love her so much. Let me tell you about the joys of being in Jane's life. She loves old cartoons in the morning. Why start your day with the unpleasant news channels or the endless "Rich and Famous" type of shows...drivel. It enrages her to think of elderly people eating out of garbage cans here while so many sit enthralled by how many houses, cars, jewels, etc. the "rich and famous" people have. I love her heart. The old cartoons have morals to their stories and songs that she still sings along to. I love her heart...did I say how much I love her heart? Every evening she asks me what I want for breakfast in the morning. My standard answer is "oatmeal" (porridge)...to which she answers "I think that you would like something different? More interesting maybe?". Of course my answer is that I love oatmeal but whatever she wants to prepare is fine with me. (At this point I must add, she does NOT want me to do it myself, she considers it HER job...period.) I tell you that I have had some interesting things for breakfast...salmon, chicken with porridge, gizzards (yummy), curds, cottage cheese...and of course oatmeal (with cinnamon and fruit). She is delightful and still does not understand that I really do like oatmeal for breakfast...every morning...it's okay! It is very interesting to go with Jane to the grocery store. Jane dances in the grocery store aisles when a good song comes on the muzak system. I love it. She sings to it when she knows the words. I love it! I know that I am not the only one that does that! You must know that Jane's kitchen is HER kitchen. I was making Mexican Food for the English Club one Friday night. I got instructions on just how to do it. I looked at her, "how many times have you made Mexican Food?"..."never" she replied..."I just know how things are prepared correctly". I just looked at her..."Okay, okay you must know how yourself...". Jane, I got this one...really...I've done it before... We have long conversations about the church, life, movies, books...what ever comes to mind. Politics is one subject she is passionate about. We have some minor disagreements about "the good life", whether it was better long ago or today. It is definately a topic we do not discuss with Rita...too many passionate disagreements to waste time on politics when there is so much more to talk about! "Jane-isms": - fooh (a sound she makes when she is disgusted or irritated with something) - "It seems to me..." - "Take it easy..." (said any time she thinks I am in a hurry or irritated with something) - "That's living..." (said when describing Ukrainian life when something doesn't work properly here ie. elevators, trams, etc.) - "It's okay..." (said whenever we don't really agree about a subject) - "Jeckie, don't go barefooted" (said when I take off my socks and don't put on house slippers) - "I am cold and I think you are cold as well...I will put on the blanket..." (said when trying to convince me to put the heavy, itchy, WOOL blanket on to cover me at night) - "the men of re-'nay-is-sants" (better known as the movie "Renaissance Man" Before she left this morning...we didn't talk much...just watched each other. Finally, when she HAD to leave, she came over to me to say good bye. "Now Jeckie, I am leaving for school. I am looking for you next year...God Bless you...safe travels...I want you to come again...(she now sees me tearing up)...Don't cry Jeckie...(of course I WON'T cry)... As she slips on her shoes at the door and grabs her coat as well, she is trying to make light of the fact that she has to go to work and I have to leave for Texas. "I am going where my students are SO glad to see me and to hear the English language...to my great job...to my wonderful students...don't touch anything (said in a very strong Russian teacher voice, meaning my bed linens or the breakfast dishes) I will take care about it later...don't be afraid to be here, Rita will come soon...I love you!" She is out the door and on her way...leaving me sitting on the couch...not wiping away tears I have not cried. I cannot express the deep love and friendship I feel for her. She is a joy to be around. I constantly laugh and share "Grandma" stories, look with confusion when I don't understand a word, and stand open mouthed at some of the "old wives tales" she so strongly believes. Jane, my sister, my friend...I will miss your cartoons and the singing in the morning...till next summer, God willing. I love you.

A Babushka's Hands

I saw her on the taxi van. She got on with a man, probably her son. She was so tiny, she looked like a little bird with a brightly colored headscarf. A typical Ukrainian nose, reminded me of the "bad guy" on Despicable Me who adopted the three girls. Her face was lined with age, weather and a hard life. What I noticed right away were her hands. They almost looked cartoonish, as if she had Minnie Mouse gloves attached to her slender wrists. She could not have been more than 4'11", but her hands were very large. I thought of how hard they must have worked her entire life. I thought of the things those hands have endured. The cruel weather and circumstances in Ukraine for a lady of her age. I thought of the Revolution that she lived thru, not having read about it in a book. I thought of how weathered they looked, and wondered if she had many children that she cooked and cleaned and did laundry for. I wondered if they would return the favor in her old age! I thought of how blessed I am to live in a country with so many things to ease our troubles in life. I hope that the man with her was someone who would make sure that those hands that have been through so much would be able to have some relief from hardships. I thought of my own grandmothers hands...and I had a deeper appreciation for her work hardened hands as well. Thank you Grandma Martin for loving me and teaching me about life!

Weird Knee Thing...

I recently had a major blow out with my knee...I have no idea of how/what/why...just a weird freaky knee thing that took me by surprise...knocked me down and then kicked me while I was on the ground crying. It is not nice to kick someone when they are down...but it did. I was walking home from a visit with a dear brother. As I turned the corner to get to my flat I had the thought "Wow, my knee hurts". By the time I got another 20 feet I was saying "I hope I make it home and don't fall on the ground right here". I can't remember having pain in my knee like this ever before. I don't mean my knee's have never hurt, I was a high school athlete who didn't take care of her knees like she should have, so I expect pain as I grow older. It just surprised me by the intensity and the speed at which it hit me. I put in a call to people in the medical field for information on how I should proceed. (Finally all that FB time has paid off)And got an immediate response to my questions. Thank you RN's who were so compassionate and prompt with your educated opinions. (I know...they do not have MD behind their names, and they did not give me "medical advice"...just their opinions from years of experience in the medical field, which I completely trust.) Long story short... I didn't go anywhere on Sunday...didn't even get out of my p.j.'s. Took what medications I had with me, and borrowed a cane so I could at least go to the bathroom with out assistance. Now...as of today...my knee is still acting up...still painful and stiff, but I can at least move around without croaking! I am asking a friend here with airline connections to help me get a seat change and airport assistance in D.C. to lessen the possibility that I will miss my connection home because of mobility issues. We will see how much customer service someone gets who only flys one time per year on a missionary rate! So...if any of you see pictures of me with a cane, I'm not sporting a new look, I actually am using it for what it is intended! BUT...keep praying...and don't worry...I am fine! I will be home next week. I love you all and really appreciate the love and support you give me. Till Tuesday!

A Beautiful day in the Neighborhood

What a beautiful day in the neighborhood. It started off with Jane going to work and me having to find my way to the church by myself. It's getting to be a good habit to be in...I like this getting there by myself. No hassles, no problems...just a little drink of water from God that is going to refresh the flowers for us.I will buy an umbrella maybe...it may not rain again! Had just a little wait at the building before Lena arrived with the key. Aloysia was there with his daughter, Rosa. Marina arrived about five minutes later and soaking wet. It appears that the rain on her journey was much stronger than the little bit I got on mine. The day started off rather slow. Just Rosa and her father were there at 10:00. Our next "kid" was quite a different story. An adult man walked in off the street and began to ask questions. Something that I almost always welcome. Today...not so much. It didn't take long to realize that he was inebriated. He had seen the advertising on the window about a children's class and wanted to talk to us about that. He started off with Marina, an interpreter, and myself. He stated that "faith was very serious, and should not be played with games". I asked Marina what he was saying and she said most of the sentences don't match, and don't make any sense. I let him talk for awhile. It became crystal clear that he meant to disrupt our class so that "no games" could be played. I then broke in and spoke my mind...I know what you are all thinking...NOT Jackie...speaking her mind???? I said to him that children and adults learn in different ways. I told him faith was a very important thing to me, and I did take it seriously. I also told him my class was going to start and that he needed to come back and have his discussion with the preacher. There would be an appropriate time and place for his questions, and they would gladly all be answered, but that at the moment we were starting our children's class. "Baca"...good bye. And then I pointed to the door. Aloysia walked him out. They spoke a little bit before he finally left. By this time two more little girls were there. Sophia and her sister Mila, members children, had come for class. It was upsetting to Rosa to hear the man speaking loudly and gruffly. I have all the utmost sympathy for his position, but when you are disturbing my children...you better back off. I am grateful for my training at school on how to deal with unruly parents in the class room. He bowed his chest and stepped into me with a loud voice. I stepped in his direction and very calmly and politely invited him to leave. He immediately backed down, and just "wanted to talk". Umhhhh...let me think....NO. This is my classroom and you are here to disturb it not contribute...umhhh...NO! We started class and had a good lesson on the life of Joseph. The girls were making the many colored coat of Joseph when a young boy, Misha, arrived with his mother. We only had 30 minutes left in class, so I had the girls do a review with him. Then questions, with prizes, and a snack, and we called it a day. Class and snack were over about 12:30. I assumed that Misha was someone that the church knew or had invited personally. I was wrong. Misha saw someone he knew with a children's Bible and he wanted one. They told him where to get it and showed him the invitation. They showed up and were very happy to be there. He was a good student. We gave him his own Bible, and invited him for tomorrow. Thank you EEM for sending the Bible's. We have passed out so many of them, and we still have more to give away. It thrills me to see their faces when they get the children's version with beautiful color pictures. Or the older people to get the large print and be able to read it themselves! What joy that brings...agian...thank you EEM and all those who support you!

VBS Ukrainian style...

You never know what you will get here. We invited so many children from the area of all ages. So, I wasn't really sure who all would come...little ones...teens...one...fifty? Just whatever God sends my way. We started off with Rosa, 6 years old, one of the members kids. She is an angel, so sweet and such a helper at passing out invitations to the classes. There were not very many kids in the yard behind the building, sometimes several, sometimes none. This morning...zero. So none of them came. We were there about 15 minutes when Daniel showed up. He is 11 and speaks a little English, very well I might add. He was delightful to work with. A shy smile behind big blue eyes. Such a sweet boy. This morning started off with me not having an interpreter to go with me to the church building. That was okay. I know to look for van 53. Jane actually got me started. She said she would tell the driver about my stop...one problem...we have to change vans about half way thru the route. So I had to practice my stops name. Na vah-coo-chew-link. Over and over and over. I didn't want to mess it up and him not stop. As it happened, I thought I got blessed because some people were getting on right near there. Then he started to drive off. I quickly threw my "Russian" at him and he pulled over and let me off. Now...I'm not sure if he understood my Russian, or the fact that I was standing at the door looking like I might leap out on my own if he didn't stop, got him to pull over and let me out. Really...it didn't matter to me...he let me off at the correct stop! We started our lesson and began teaching about Noah at a little after 10 a.m.. After we looked at the lesson a little bit, we decided to walk off the length of the ark. We went outside and started at the shops up the street from the building. I think the kids were really surprised at how big that boat was! Afterwards we cut out the ark that Fairy Cooper put together in my packet. The kids eyes got real big looking at all the colors and the animals. They really enjoyed it. In fact, all of the adult helpers wanted to do one themselves. I really wished more kids could have come today, I think they would have loved the things we got to do. After all the games, projects, and memory verse, Rita bought us some ice cream and we had our snack. A fun time had by all. Tomorrow, some more of the kids who regularly come should be back from the national holiday weekend. After a lunch at City Center, we went to a sports place and bought the Far Off orphanage some shoes and swim suits. They will probably keep the suits till next season, but maybe the last group of boys going to the sea will get to wear them. I hope so. We took a taxi home with all of our bags, and I was able to rest a little while on the couch watching "Ever After", starring Drew Barrymoore. Of course, I'm glad you asked, it was in Russian. The good thing was the English was just dubbed over so you could still hear it most of the time. Love that movie! Now I am at Constantine's Kot Cafe using his wifi. I even offered to buy a lemonade...he just waved his hand at me like "really?". I do appreciate the feel of this place. Much like a very comfy couch to sit on and put your feet up. It feels like home here. I am thankful to God that he is such a nice guy. Tomorrow I should have wifi in my flat! I don't want to get my hopes up too much, but it would be very nice! I will still come and drink lemonade at the Kot Cafe...just not use their wifi. till then...