Well, we're finally here and hooked up to the internet in our apartment. We got in last night and had internet access here, but had the wrong converter for my computer plug. I've been anxious to get online and let everyone know that their prayers are coming to fruition! We had our SDA appt. this afternoon and were shown Lena's profile to which we agreed. It was very quick, easy and relaxed. We pick up the referral tomorrow and head out to Donetsk where Lena is at via the overnight train. Major praise!
We had a fine trip on the way over with an overnight stop in London which was actually a "layover" since it was exactly 24hours. The flight from Chicago to London was nice but not great for sleeping. They fed us dinner at almost 11p.m. and then were bringing breakfast at 3:30a.m. (Chicago time still). Brianne was able to sleep for about 3 1/2 hours in between meals. Trent and I didn't fare as well. I don't think I slept at all (I am quite the insomniac anyway w/out being on an airplane), Trent seemed to be sleeping some, but wasn't snoring so probably not much.
Despite the lack of sleep we hit the streets of London w/in an hour of arriving at the hotel. Not much time to see the sites, so we had to make the most of it. Although a nap would have been nice, we managed incredibly well w/out it and walked for 4 - 5 hours seeing the tourist hotspots. I was still going and ready to head over to the London Eye when Trent and Brianne outvoted me and opted for the hotel. We saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (both gorgeous), Buckingham Palace and the River Thames, London Eye, and more. It was definitely worth the stop but again my 2 cohorts weren't that impressed and had seen enough (too crowded for them).
The next morning we headed out to Kiev. Another nice flight and our first taste of Ukrainian food (fish/rice/cabbage salad w/out dressing with a chocolate that was amazing). It was better than expected and the rice was nice and buttery. When we arrived in Kiev there was a slight sense of panic as we did not see our facilitator. We were hit on by about 20 men offering a taxi, but none were pushy and one actually let us use his phone to call our facilitator. Her husband was actually there, but had not seen us come through. We learned quickly that Ukrainians walk very fast as none of us could keep up w/him as he lead us toward his car. He brought us to the apartment that our facilitator, Natalia, had set up and we waited in the car for her for about 20 min. When the landlord arrived he walked us through how to work everything, showing us over and over. Then N. showed up and was very prepared. She had a cell phone w/her # programmed in and a card for our computer so we can hopefully get internet access even when we leave Kiev.
Trent asked if the area was safe to walk in to which they replied yes and told us that the "whitehouse" and Ukrainian president only lived about a street over. It did not help that when we walked into our apartment the landlord showed how to lock the solid steel vault like door w/a bolt and then the inside door with a lock and a bolt! Our next mishap came shortly after coming into the apt. when Brianne locked herself into the restroom and we couldn't help her from the outside. It took her a while but she got herself out!
Today, our facilitator called and told us our driver had come early to take us to our appt. b/c traffic was bad. We quickly got downstairs finding the car she had described and "Nicolae" our driver. We drove for about 15 min. when he pointed out the French embassy and made a comment about the US embassy to which Trent asked if that's where we were going. He said yes and we said no. He kept driving saying our facilitator told him the embassy. I asked Trent to call N. and she cleared it up w/the driver. Who knows which one made the mistake, but praise God we made our way back through traffic and to the SDA in time. Actually, we didn't need to leave early and got there 35 min. earlystill. The gate was locked and did not get unlocked until 2:00 straight up. We waited in the freezing cold for a while and then joined Nicolae back in his car. In the meantime though, we visited street vendors and bought a beautiful nesting doll.
We were led up the stairs into the SDA office at precisely 2 (we were panicking again b/c she sent another facilitator who didn't show up until 5 min. til 2). We had also tried to call the stand in facilitator and N. on the cell phone she gave us which said it was out of purchased minutes.
We told them about hosting Lena this summer and showed pictures of her w/us which seemed to please them and they showed us her file, gave us a tidbit (literally) of background info., all of which Lena had already told us, and agreed to give us the referral for her. It took about 15 min. and went so smoothly despite all the little issues up to that point. Amazing! On the way back to the apartment, we stopped and bought minutes for the phone from a street vendor and went to the outdoor market (apparently for electronics) w/Nicolae and bought a 3 prong converter for my computer...yeah! Our other converter worked for everything else, but we missed the fact the the computer cord/protector was 3 prong. Again, we could not keep up w/the fast Ukrainian pace of walking. Every now and then Nicolae would look back to check and see if we were still there!
It has been a very interesting trip so far and God has worked all things out for our good. Please pray that things will go well in Donetsk and that the people in charge will look on us w/favor and this process will go quickly. We finally got to talk to Blake tonight after about 20 attempts on our new cell w/all the access #'s to call home. He talked to me for about 1/2 a minute and got off the phone. Mom told him to get back on and talk to me some more to which he replied "why?" He is definitely not missing us yet, but I'm sure it will come. We are missing him and I find myself saying, "this would have been really hard for him" on most things so I know he is having much more fun back in the good ole' USA.
I know this is long, but there's been so much happen since we left. Thank you all for your prayers and comments. Keep those prayers coming, God is good!
We had a fine trip on the way over with an overnight stop in London which was actually a "layover" since it was exactly 24hours. The flight from Chicago to London was nice but not great for sleeping. They fed us dinner at almost 11p.m. and then were bringing breakfast at 3:30a.m. (Chicago time still). Brianne was able to sleep for about 3 1/2 hours in between meals. Trent and I didn't fare as well. I don't think I slept at all (I am quite the insomniac anyway w/out being on an airplane), Trent seemed to be sleeping some, but wasn't snoring so probably not much.
Despite the lack of sleep we hit the streets of London w/in an hour of arriving at the hotel. Not much time to see the sites, so we had to make the most of it. Although a nap would have been nice, we managed incredibly well w/out it and walked for 4 - 5 hours seeing the tourist hotspots. I was still going and ready to head over to the London Eye when Trent and Brianne outvoted me and opted for the hotel. We saw Big Ben, Westminster Abbey (both gorgeous), Buckingham Palace and the River Thames, London Eye, and more. It was definitely worth the stop but again my 2 cohorts weren't that impressed and had seen enough (too crowded for them).
The next morning we headed out to Kiev. Another nice flight and our first taste of Ukrainian food (fish/rice/cabbage salad w/out dressing with a chocolate that was amazing). It was better than expected and the rice was nice and buttery. When we arrived in Kiev there was a slight sense of panic as we did not see our facilitator. We were hit on by about 20 men offering a taxi, but none were pushy and one actually let us use his phone to call our facilitator. Her husband was actually there, but had not seen us come through. We learned quickly that Ukrainians walk very fast as none of us could keep up w/him as he lead us toward his car. He brought us to the apartment that our facilitator, Natalia, had set up and we waited in the car for her for about 20 min. When the landlord arrived he walked us through how to work everything, showing us over and over. Then N. showed up and was very prepared. She had a cell phone w/her # programmed in and a card for our computer so we can hopefully get internet access even when we leave Kiev.
Trent asked if the area was safe to walk in to which they replied yes and told us that the "whitehouse" and Ukrainian president only lived about a street over. It did not help that when we walked into our apartment the landlord showed how to lock the solid steel vault like door w/a bolt and then the inside door with a lock and a bolt! Our next mishap came shortly after coming into the apt. when Brianne locked herself into the restroom and we couldn't help her from the outside. It took her a while but she got herself out!
Today, our facilitator called and told us our driver had come early to take us to our appt. b/c traffic was bad. We quickly got downstairs finding the car she had described and "Nicolae" our driver. We drove for about 15 min. when he pointed out the French embassy and made a comment about the US embassy to which Trent asked if that's where we were going. He said yes and we said no. He kept driving saying our facilitator told him the embassy. I asked Trent to call N. and she cleared it up w/the driver. Who knows which one made the mistake, but praise God we made our way back through traffic and to the SDA in time. Actually, we didn't need to leave early and got there 35 min. earlystill. The gate was locked and did not get unlocked until 2:00 straight up. We waited in the freezing cold for a while and then joined Nicolae back in his car. In the meantime though, we visited street vendors and bought a beautiful nesting doll.
We were led up the stairs into the SDA office at precisely 2 (we were panicking again b/c she sent another facilitator who didn't show up until 5 min. til 2). We had also tried to call the stand in facilitator and N. on the cell phone she gave us which said it was out of purchased minutes.
We told them about hosting Lena this summer and showed pictures of her w/us which seemed to please them and they showed us her file, gave us a tidbit (literally) of background info., all of which Lena had already told us, and agreed to give us the referral for her. It took about 15 min. and went so smoothly despite all the little issues up to that point. Amazing! On the way back to the apartment, we stopped and bought minutes for the phone from a street vendor and went to the outdoor market (apparently for electronics) w/Nicolae and bought a 3 prong converter for my computer...yeah! Our other converter worked for everything else, but we missed the fact the the computer cord/protector was 3 prong. Again, we could not keep up w/the fast Ukrainian pace of walking. Every now and then Nicolae would look back to check and see if we were still there!
It has been a very interesting trip so far and God has worked all things out for our good. Please pray that things will go well in Donetsk and that the people in charge will look on us w/favor and this process will go quickly. We finally got to talk to Blake tonight after about 20 attempts on our new cell w/all the access #'s to call home. He talked to me for about 1/2 a minute and got off the phone. Mom told him to get back on and talk to me some more to which he replied "why?" He is definitely not missing us yet, but I'm sure it will come. We are missing him and I find myself saying, "this would have been really hard for him" on most things so I know he is having much more fun back in the good ole' USA.
I know this is long, but there's been so much happen since we left. Thank you all for your prayers and comments. Keep those prayers coming, God is good!
Praise God!!!! What a wonderful e-mail. We are so thankful you all arrived safely and that God is preparing every step of the way for you. Know that you are in our prayers, and in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteIt is so exciting to hear all that is going on in your journey. Much love and continued blessings from above for each step. God has already prepared the way and you are walking it out.
Love you,
Sandie
Wow it brings back memories to hear about your first few days - with Natalia and Kolya, with Nicolae and probably his yellow car, with that little MTC stick for your computer (that was ours when we were there and we left it with N for others to use), the fast walking, no one being at the airport at first and the panic that happens then, etc. I'm so happy to hear that your first step has gone so well! Please give Natalia a big hug from us and tell her that the girls (Katya and Nastya)are doing great!!
ReplyDeleteStephanee & Zach
good to hear from yall. glad things are going well so far. praying for yall and looking forward to seeing lena! julie
ReplyDelete