Monthly Archives: April 2016

On nice mornings I’ve gone out for  a walk and at 6 am the streets sweeps are out in force. 

  
and folks are lined up to go somewhere… 

 

I’m just passing the half-way mark on the Ukraine leg of the trip. Having completed 3 of my 4 days of teaching, it looks like I’ll make it.
I’d forgotten about the energy you expend teaching 4 periods in a row. Then there’s the desk work: writing quizzes and grading them (I can’t seem to find the Scantron machine).

The students are awesome, there are 30-something of them packed into a decent sized classroom. Being translated adds a complete additional layer of attention needed to presentation.

Having a different translator each day has made me appreciate more than ever when you have a translator that you know is “with you.”

Jet-lag has been tougher than usual and the lack of sleep has added to my fatigue. But, thanks be to God, I’ve made it through and got a full night’s sleep last night. Man, it was great to wake up fully rested!

On this warm spring Sunday the nearby playgrounds are full of the sounds of children playing. I’m in a residential neighborhood of (what we affectionately call) ‘commie condos.’ I’m staying in a room that is provided by Trinity Church and is actually in the building. The room includes everything I need: a bed (good and firm), my own bath, a place to stow my gear, and a desk for work. The desk faces the window. I have a room with a view.

 

 
I’m in Vinnytsia, Ukraine for a week teaching a course in a ministry school on leadership and disciple-making. The school is part of a local network of churches who are seeking to provide training for leaders and leaders to be. I’m told that tomorrow I’ll have a class of up to 40 whose ages will be from 22-50.

Our lessons (this part of the world doesn’t call them classes) will run straight through from 9-1. This will be the first time in 6 1/2 years that I’ve done this much teaching. 

Trust me they’ll get plenty of breaks.

Perhaps a classroom pic tomorrow.

BTW: My updated trip-prayer list is HERE, click, read, and pray!

  

I’ve just read a thoughtful post on Cuba that well describes the situation there. Definitely worth your time. Rob Hoskins writes HERE