We're Back

We are back in Ukraine! We arrived around 1:30 or 2:00pm Ukraine time (7am Eastern time) on Friday the 18th after a slight plane delay. We were tired but glad to arrive safely and glad to see the Bryan family again. The jet lag does not seem to be as bad this time; I think it is because it is summer and it is daylight longer.

Saturday we went looking for apts near the school we will attend and we went to the forest for a cookout with the Bryan family and Larissa and Max's family. They are staying with Grady and Lena with their twin girls for a few days because they are possibly moving to Kiev from Sumy if they can get jobs. She was our translator before so we know them pretty well.

Today we went to church at Nievky; the building was full. At the end of the service they share prayer requests and then spend time in prayer together. Lena was telling me that before church some of the members stood outside the building and also walked around this morning to tell people about Jesus and to pass out New Testament Bibles. It is so refreshing to know this church is so active in evangelizing.

It was strange when I heard Russian in the airport and it sounded familiar. It was also strange that Kiev does not seem as foreign; in the spring it was difficult because it was so new and different and awkward and all other adjectives to describe the feelings of being in a foreign country. Words we learned in the spring are coming back to us; we are recognizing them in speech. I think being with the Bryans and hearing it constantly helps us.

I don't know how to describe what it feels like to be back. I know I am excited to find a place of our own and start learing Russian. Max and Larissa's girls do not know english and it is hard for me to deal with the language barrier with them. They come up to me and say things and I want to talk back so badly.

The other day I took Lilly outside and she started running around in circles as she loves to do; a lady came out of the library by the apt building and began laughing and I wanted to talk to her. Lilly has already done what I knew she would; connect me to strangers in ways that crosses language barriers. People immediately smile and assume conversation with me because of her; this is a wonderful thing and I am ready to start learning the language so I can connect much deeper with people.

Alicia