Jessica in Ukraine

I've moved!

2013-11-08T18:30:00.002+02:00

It's been almost a year and a half since I was last in Ukraine. So many things have happened during that time -- here's a brief summary of my major life changes:

~left Kyiv, my home of 3 years and stopped teaching at KCA
~got engaged to my wonderful man!!!
~moved back to America, to Kansas City specifically, and adjusted to life there for a brief time
~completed about half of my master's degree (Intercultural Studies at Nazarene Theological Seminary)
~moved back to Maryland about a month before my wedding and spent a lot of time visiting my grandmother in the hospital
~learned a lot about my parents' background, for good or for bad, and realized how it was affecting me
~welcomed many family and friends to my small town for our wedding week
~GOT MARRIED!!!
~moved to the Netherlands
~welcomed many family and friends to our medium-sized city for our wedding week
~GOT MARRIED!!! AGAIN!!! To the same guy. :)

Needless to say, this blog will only be periodically updated with things related to Ukraine.

If you are interested in reading my NEW blog, click on over to americandutchess.blogspot.com and maybe even subscribe to updates via a feed reader or email!

See you there!

Я буду славить Господа Христа!

2013-03-09T18:30:00.002+02:00

((A)) Каждый день на устах моих
Это славное имя - Иисус
Я не знаю имен других,
Лишь Его я превозношу!

((B)) Мое сердце поет о Нем,
О Спасителе дивном моем.
Только он мне дает покой,
Его Имя всегда со мной!

Прип. ((C)) Я буду славить Господа Христа!
Я буду помнить все Его дела!
Я буду петь Ему: Аллилуйя! Аллилуйя!

((D)) И когда солнце свет дарит,
Согревая всю землю теплом,
В моем сердце опять звучит
Иисусу Царю псалом!

Да славит тебя душа моя

2013-03-09T18:21:00.002+02:00

Today I woke up with part of this song stuck in my head. Keep in mind, I left Ukraine exactly 8 months ago today and have not heard this song since the last time we sang it in church at Studencheskaya.

Да славит Тебя душа моя (4р).

Да не умолкает
Господи Боже мой
Буду славить Тебя вечно
Господи Боже мой

Да славит Тебя Церковь Твоя (4р).

(video from YouTube)

(lyrics originally found here http://www.kingdom-god.com.ua/nachamuzika/tekst.html )

Final Ukraine Ministry Update - August 2012

2012-08-07T05:11:00.000+03:00

Dear friends and family -- my supporters,

This is the last ministry update you'll receive from me -- what an amazing 3 years it has been! I've been in America now for almost 2 weeks, and I'm in the midst of transition (more on that later), so I can't even begin to talk about a summary of these three years.

What I CAN do, however, is tell you about the past month or so:

Ukraine Farewells:
My last weeks in Ukraine consisted of sorting my things and saying goodbyes to friends.

Pastor Vova, Sylvia, and Philip came over for dinner one night

Zee and I outside our favorite Chinese restaurant

On my last Sunday there, after the pastor and Zee prayed for me, one of the babushki (grandmothers) gave me a dark chocolate bar. For every person celebrating a birthday, this lady is prepared with chocolate! I felt honored that she had one for me, especially since I've only once celebrated my birthday in Ukraine. She even talked to me and invited me to join her and a few other people for tea in the side room. I will miss my church family in Kiev, celebrating Communion together on the first Sunday of every month. Even though I only understood a little bit of the sermon, but many of the songs, I will miss worshiping there in Russian! Studencheskaya (the name of the street it's on) became my church home these past 3 years.

A 2 1/2 week "layover"
As I returned to America, I stopped in the Netherlands to visit Randolf, my boyfriend.

While I was there, he proposed to me--and I said yes!!! We enjoyed our two and a half weeks together very much, celebrating our engagement together. We're pretty happy together. :)

We will be getting married next summer -- in both America and Holland. Following our American wedding, I will be moving to Holland to live with him. While there, I will finish up my NTS degree from a distance and then probably teach in an international school. We will most likely visit Ukraine together again at some point, since we both have good friends there.

Youth Camp -- Netherlands District
Randolf and I had the opportunity to serve together, in HIS country this time! We were part of the kitchen staff at the district youth camp, along with 6 others. I had thought that we'd be in the kitchen all day every day, working nonstop, but this was not the case -- hooray! Every day we would go into town to the grocery store and load his car with food. One day we had 170 hamburgers, another day we had 50kg (110 pounds) of potatoes....

Each time, we had 2 grocery carts full of stuff.

We also coordinated cleanup within the kitchen -- of silverware, plates, cups, and any cooking pots that were used. Each meal, a different family group would come to help. We simply gave them jobs to do and made sure things went smoothly. As you can see, this group on this particular night had a blast while listening to music!

We also led a workshop about how they could be involved in missions right where they were. Randolf shared his portion in Dutch, and I shared mine in English. We asked them to imagine if their church started a coffeeshop/coffeebar, how that would be a ministry to the community, and how they could help.

It was difficult for me to know how much everyone understood my words, even though they all spoke some English, but a few of them were participating in the discussion. Our prayer is that it has planted some seeds, especially with the winter camp coming, where they will be going into the neighborhood to talk to people.

Here is a link to a video they filmed while at camp (I am NOT in it):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeBQOezk4ak

Out in the west Texas town of El Paso....
Upon my return to America, I traveled to El Paso for Youth in Mission re-entry camp. I participated in this in 2007 and 2008, and it was good to be with others who were re-entering America (even if they were only gone for 2 months). Plus, I hadn't seen some of my friends from El Paso in at least 3 years -- the Grenier family and I spent some time catching up, I could be there for the Fothergill family send-off as they move to Africa, and I saw a few other friends too!

I enjoyed hearing the students' stories of ministry in London, India, and Madagascar. Many of the students asked me about my Mission Corps experience -- how I got started, what my role was, etc. Then a few told me about their interests, of how they wanted to be involved in ministry after college: in teaching in Africa or in areas related to "family and consumer sciences," for example. These students still have 2 or so years until they are finished with school, but this is the time for God to shape and guide them.

Upcoming Dates
August 9-13: Visit to Boston for my roommate Amy's wedding (we lived together for 2 years in Kyiv).
~For those of you from South Weymouth COTN, I will be there on Sunday morning the 12th at 11am!

August 17: Begin travel to Kansas City

August 20: Foundations of Mission module course begins -- my first on-campus NTS course!

Prayer Requests:
*Youth in Mission students -- that their summer of servanthood would continue into a lifetime of servanthood!
*Transitioning back into American life -- realizing that I've changed and see America as somewhat of an outsider now
*Traveling safety to New England and back, and then to Missour

Praises:
*I have a place to live! I will be living in a duplex in Raytown, MO!
*I've applied for a few substitute teaching jobs as well as a position at a Sylvan Learning Center. Continue praying that there will be something for me.

As I finish writing this letter, I know I am closing a chapter in my life. Thank you all for your role in my life -- of supporting financially, sending encouraging emails, and inviting me to share at your churches. I've really enjoyed knowing you these few years!

In Christ,
Jessica

July update 2012

2012-07-05T11:21:00.000+03:00

Dear supporters,

This is my next-to-last email update to you, written during my last week of life in Ukraine. I depart Kiev on July 9, and what an amazing 3 years it has been!

What's Next?
In the immediate future, I will be spending two weeks in Holland with my boyfriend. One of those weeks will be at the Netherlands District NYI (youth) camp, where we will primarily be working behind the scenes in the kitchen, preparing and serving meals for the students. There is also the opportunity for us to lead a missions workshop together!

Once I return to the US, I will spend a weekend in El Paso, TX for Youth in Mission re-entry camp. Here, I will have the opportunity to debrief teams and hear their stories about their summers across the world, just as was done for me in 2007 and 2008. I also look forward to being back in a place I still consider as one of my "homes"!

After some time back in Maryland and Massachusetts (going to my roommate Amy's wedding!), I will be moving to Kansas City, Missouri to attend Nazarene Theological Seminary. I am studying for a Master's in Intercultural Studies, and have already started work on a fall module course.

On top of all this, I will be re-adjusting to a culture where I SHOULD fit, but I realize I am not American-American any more. US coins, water fountains (that provide tap water), convenient and already-prepared foods, hearing English everywhere, and even the presidential campaigns are unfamiliar to me.

What's Past?
A couple weeks ago, I visited Chernivtsi in western Ukraine. This city was the first place besides Kyiv that I visited in 2008, working with Vera, and once I came back, I went for a weekend in January 2010 and also in September 2010 to help with the Kids' Club for kids with special needs. While I was there this time, I was able to enjoy some time visiting people and just have a relaxing weekend. A team from Khmelnitskyi, Ukraine, was there to make plaster molds in order to create braces for the kids' arms and legs -- so Vera and I stopped by each day to see how things were going!

Roma and his mom

New friends Vitalik and Roman

Old friends from 2008 Nastia and Sveta

What's at Present?
I have still been playing tour guide for Ree and Joey Sumi, and at this point, I think my job is done. Ree has successfully ordered water delivery via phone, and they come and go to their language lessons, the grocery store, and metro. I've also showed them the major landmarks of the city, given them some history lessons, and taken them to the train station for a weekend trip. They are getting settled, I think, and are about to leave for 3 weeks of summer camp. Continue to keep them and the rest of the missionaries here in your prayers as they adjust.

Here is an abridged quote from missionary Bob Skinner from the Sumis' blog, sharing about the "core necessities to minister cross-culturally: Simply, if you cannot learn how they think, study their history, eat their food, or speak their language, how can you love them?" My hope is that Christ's love has been shown through me as I've lived here for three years.

Prayer Requests:
*My friend Svetlana, from the Obolon church, is looking for a job as an economist
*An apartment and job for me in Kansas City
*Ree and Joey Sumi's continued adjustment to life in Ukraine
*Focus and diligence in completing my assignments for my NTS coursework, despite not having a routine anymore
*Peace and comfort as I am leaving what I've known as home and family for 3 years

Praises:
*Three amazing years of life here in Ukraine
*Relaxing days where I can finish everything I need to
*Traveling safety during the weeks of the EURO 2012 cup (Spain won)
*More opportunities to have quality time with friends

God has been teaching me during this time of transition that my identity is not based on my job, my ministry, my position, or anything else. It's not about me. What matters is what CHRIST has done on the cross and how mighty God is! God never changes from day to day, and that is what I'm holding to.

May you continue to remember that your life is about Christ, not about you!

In Christ,

Jessica

June Update #2: Summer Plans

2012-06-14T12:55:00.000+03:00

Hello supporters,

I hope you are all enjoying your summer months, wherever you may be! Here is the promised second update for the month of June, as it did not all fit into one email.

KCA Class of 2012
Graduation was held this year on May 24. Of these 12 students, I had taught all but 1 of them at some point.

KCA Teachers/Staff and the class of 2012!

These students are traveling in multiple directions this next year -- some going to Christian universities, others attending state schools. For 2 graduates who have lived in Ukraine nearly their entire lives, their families have already moved out of Ukraine. These students (plus a handful of others, including their siblings) may have American passports, but "home" to them is Ukraine. If you ask a missionary kid "Where are you from?" you will be met with a blank stare or a 15 minute explanation of their life story.

My Precalculus class and I

Pray for these students -- the graduates and the others who have moved away from Ukraine. Pray for a smooth transition into life in America (or Korea) as they navigate a culture that will seem foreign. Pray for them to rely on God's strength and love as a solid foundation and "home" for them. Pray for close Christian friends to support them during this time!

Summer Tasks:
This summer, I am wrapping up 3 years of life in Ukraine. My primary goal is to compile all my English lesson plans and materials into a cohesive PDF document to leave here. (Currently, they are in a pile on my bedroom floor.)

At my desk before taking down my photos

I spent one full day at KCA, sorting through my curriculum folders, digitizing some materials, and recycling 3"/8cm of paper! Now my materials are organized and ready for the next teacher!

At home, I organized and cleaned my shkafs (shkaf = closet/shelves/storage) in preparation for the next residents. This place never was so tidy -- and it might only last a week, but for now, it's nice!

Saying Goodbyes:
"Good goodbyes lead to good hellos" (from a re-entry workshop I attended).
Ukraine has been my home for the past 3 years. The people here are family to me. Kiev First Church of the Nazarene is my home church. Since my college days, it is the only one I've attended for at least 4 weeks in a row. When people ask what I do, I answer, "Teach math/Bible at KCA."

My last time to see Bob and Josh Skinner, and the first dinner I served Ree and Joey Sumi

Now, things are changing. I have said many goodbyes and cried many tears already. Most of my goodbyes have been to people from school, and I've been able to have some quality time with a few of them once school finished. I said goodbye to my roommate-of-2-years Amy on the 29th, but knowing I will see her and a few others at her wedding makes the goodbyes a little easier.

Newbies:
Our entire Nazarene mission team has changed over the course of my three years here, and it has been hard to watch my friends leave. However, the new team is assembled and they have had their meetings recently.

Ree and Joey Sumi, pictured above, have arrived and will be living in my apartment. For now, we are flatmates and I am helping them get settled. As I show them around the neighborhood and how to navigate public transport or pay bills at the bank, I realize just how far I've come in 3 years.

Ree and I outside the memorial/museum for "The Great Patriotic War Against the Fascists" (WW2)

It was four years ago that I arrived in Ukraine for a summer trip, and I didn't realize then that I would come back for 3 years of teaching. Now, I am no longer the "newbie," because I can pass along my knowledge of Ukrainian culture and history (thanks to the Skinners and Wrights!)!

Upcoming Dates/Plans:
~Now until July 1: Euro 2012 football (aka soccer) championships--I've enjoyed watching the matches on TV and cheering for Ukraine and the Netherlands!
~Visit Chernivtsi (Western Ukraine) and Poltava (Eastern Ukraine)
July 7: American Chamber of Commerce hosts an American Independence Day picnic
July 12: Depart Ukraine :(

Praises:
*Opportunities for quality time and good goodbyes with friends this summer
*The opportunity to support the other missionaries on our team
*God is teaching me more and more to rely on Him, and not on the people or places around me, for stability/constancy: "Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (Psalm 90:1-2).

Prayer Requests:
*KCA students who have graduated or moved to other countries
*For me as I transition out of Ukraine and make plans for America

*The new Nazarene mission team, that they would have a smooth transition in and that Ukrainians would be accepting of them

How can I pray for you?

In Christ,
Jessica

June Update #1: Ministry in Ukraine

2012-06-01T17:02:00.003+03:00

Hello, my long-neglected supporters!

I apologize for the length of time between updates, but the past month and half have been packed full for me. Rather than bore you to tears with paragraphs upon paragraphs, I will just share stories via photographs, as a summary.

KCA Junior-Senior Trip to Prague, Czech Republic
In this beautiful city, I had a wonderful time with 11th and 12th graders on their class trip. It was a relaxed time, outside of the classroom, and I got to see more of their hearts and interests. We went sightseeing, had great conversations, and just enjoyed our times together. I also enjoyed one-on-one conversations, or late night talks, with some of the girls -- I'm so glad God gave this opportunity to hear their stories!

Nate and Alexia convinced me to try Bubble Tea -- yum!

One afternoon, these lovely ladies (Grace, Jung, Victoria, & Yoon Na) and I wandered around the city

"Czech" out more photos on my Facebook page.

Tobias, 5th grade miracle
While in Prague, we received word that Jop's (pronounced "Yopp") younger brother had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and his family was flying home to the Netherlands for more testing. A few days later, Tobias had surgery to remove what was eventually identified as a benign tumor. Approximately one month later, he, his mom, and youngest sister returned home to Kiev.

Sadly, he missed the ceremony on the last day of school, but because he was out of the hospital, he was able to attend his 5th grade "step up" graduation via Skype!

There's Tobias on the screen, with his friend Julian holding the computer.
Our headmaster is presenting him with his certificate.

The KCA community, plus friends of the family around the world, prayed for this little boy and his family. Nothing like this has ever happened in the history of KCA. What's more, we had a new teacher arrive this year who had ALSO survived a brain tumor! God's timing this year has been amazing, and the other day, I saw Tobias at school catching up on his assignments.

Last English Lesson at Obolon

The class presented me with a card on which each of them had written an English phrase, many choosing to write, "I love Jessica." I hope that now and in the future, these kids will have many more opportunities to grow, but more importantly, ways in which they can grow closer to Christ.

Track Meets, 2012
This year, we had 3 different track meets, and I'm so glad I was part of the coaching staff again this year. Here are some photos:

Middle/high school teams plus coaches

Bogdan, 8th grade, running in one of the relay races

The Middle School team!

Upcoming Events:
June 5: New volunteer missionary couple, the Sumis, arrive.
July 12: Depart Ukraine one last time. :(

Sneak preview of the next update (since it was too long for one):

*KCA Graduates of the class of 2012

*Saying farewell to many friends who have become like family

*Summer plans

Praises:
*My NTS course is finished! I got an A! Hooray!
*An amazing 3 years of work/ministry/life at KCA
*Time to enjoy a few weeks of summer here in Ukraine and spend time with friends

Prayer Requests:
*Smooth transitions for all entering and leaving Ukraine during these summer months
*That God would continue to shape my heart so that I can love Him more
*My friend Masha's uncle's deteriorating health and family members caring for him

Thank you for all your support -- I'm so thankful for your prayers and encouragement during this time in Ukraine!

In Christ,
Jessica

April Update

2012-04-16T13:26:00.000+03:00

Dear friends and family,

Христос воскрес (Christ is risen)! Yesterday we celebrated Easter with a 6am sunrise service.

I rode the metro at 5:30am with these people who were taking their Easter baskets to be blessed by the Orthodox priest

Our gathering

Katya (a little girl I've mentioned in previous updates) and Bekah (a new MK) in the bell choir

After the sunrise service, I went back to the Skinners' home and napped for just over an hour. Then Philip (our pastor's son) and I CYCLED to church! That was a lot of fun -- the roads were very empty, and I had never cycled in Kiev before!

So many familiar faces were at the 11:00 service -- we've had a handful of people leave during this recent year. I was surprised to see people I hardly ever saw, or hadn't seen since the last school year. Following the service, we visited with some people and had tea and Easter bread (click link for photo).

Then, that evening, I streamed most of the Sunday morning service from the Mid-Atlantic District Assembly! Though I am far away, I was able to "attend" a few of the sessions on Saturday too. :)

Supportive Ministry

Much of my ministry here in Ukraine as a volunteer and teacher is meant to support the full-time missionaries already on the field. Teaching the students, and showing love to them, caring for their needs, is indeed ministry in itself. For the parents, this means that they can do the work to which God has called them (without having to homeschool their kids), knowing their children are receiving a quality Biblical education.

Yet this support takes other temporary forms as well. Last week, I stayed with a family of 4 children/teens from school-- one 11th grade girl, 2 8th graders, and 1 8-year-old girl. Their dad (a doctor) and mom (a pediatric nurse, I think) had planned a medical outreach in a village an hour north of Kyiv. Both of them could participate -- as long as their kids had a responsible adult with them for the day. The kids/teens and I hung out, played games, drew with sidewalk chalk, did puzzles, and of course ate meals. I don't teach any of the older kids any more, so it was nice to catch up with them.

Sidewalk chalk art

When the parents returned, they thanked me for making it possible for both of them to travel and participate in this outreach. Since I stayed with the kids, Mrs. was able to travel with her husband (and a few others) to serve the people of Ivankiv and help with the church-planting efforts in that village. This is just one small way in which YOUR support is benefitting so many people besides just me. YOUR support benefits the students, their parents, plus Ukrainians I have never met! God has taken your support of "my" ministry (which is really His work) and multiplied it farther!

The End is Near...

There are 34 days left of school, and just under 3 months until I leave Ukraine. These next few weeks will bring many good-byes, or "see you sometime in the future" instead, as I and many others will be moving away from KCA and Ukraine.

I am thankful that I will not be leaving Ukraine immediately following the end of school, because I will have time to process my goodbyes to many people before dealing with re-entry shock in America. In addition, I will have time to enjoy with Ukrainian friends and see some more of the country before I leave.

In these last weeks, God has been showing me ways in which I need to become more Christlike -- to forgive, to admit I was wrong, to be more humble, to be more patient.

In the meantime, please pray that my last days in Ukraine will be meaningful. Pray that I do not "check out" emotionally/socially too soon. Pray for a smooth transition back to the US as I return and enter grad school at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Pray that God continues to teach me, and that I remain open to His leading!

Upcoming Dates:
April 19-23: KCA Junior/Senior Trip to Prague -- I will be going along as a chaperone. Pray for safe travels and an enjoyable time with the students!
May 24: Last Day of School/Graduation

Prayer Requests
*Nazarene mission team transitions: We have just had a new missionary family leave, one more couple will be arriving, and another family will leave -- all before my own departure in July!
*KCA 6th graders: To deepen their faith and truly know Christ

Praises
*All my financial needs have been met until my departure in July!
*God is showing me what it means to follow Him -- it's not just about the "big" lifelong vocations, but about "little", daily choices to love and forgive
*Time with friends

Thank you again for all your support! May you remember that your Redeemer lives (Job 19:25)!

In Christ,
Jessica

March 2012 Update

2012-03-12T13:59:00.000+02:00

Hello to all from a still-chilly Kiev, Ukraine!

Winter is still here...yesterday it snowed/rained, but the temperature was above freezing. Here's a look at the past 4 weeks in my life!

KCA Varsity Boys team and fans -- 2nd place in our local league

Teaching...
In my 6th grade Bible class, I have begun using the "Young Peacemakers" curriculum in addition to the regular Bible curriculum. My students tend to do the bare minimum in their Bible work, and rarely ask in-depth questions or have whole-class discussions on topics (pray that they dive deeper and discuss with each other more), so we have a lot of spare time. "Young Peacemakers" promotes conflict resolution, and so far we have done 1 unit/lesson on the "slippery slope"--of ways to respond to conflict. Some of the kids are really getting into it, though I often have to keep them focused on what really matters.
My Precalculus class is finishing a unit on conic sections (parabola, circle, ellipse, hyperbola). Some of my lessons have gone really well, but there are a lot of details for them to remember for the test (on Tuesday the 13th).

Somebody teach these 6th graders some peacemaking skills!! (Class Day crazy photo)

20 Years: The Church of the Nazarene in Ukraine....
On Friday, I attended a special birthday service for my "home" church here in Kiev. There were people here from throughout the years, including former Sunday school teachers, current leaders, and even some video greetings from former missionaries. I really enjoyed seeing photos and hearing stories of the church over the past 2 decades, of how it developed and how everyone looks forward to the next two decades. Today Pastor Vova told the kids, "Someday you'll be serving in the church, and you'll remember being in Sunday school now."

Here is a video my friend Zee created of photos and videos through the years--I tried to recognize familiar faces as I watched it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPSRcwGkI9o

Embedded here is a video of a song we sang at this special service. I love it because it always reminds me of the regional conference in Turkey, holding hands with my fellow Ukrainians. The chorus goes, "When we're together, we're strong; when we're together, the Lord is among us; when we're together, God's love streams from heaven to us."

Next Steps...
As some of you may already know, this year is my final year serving at KCA. My students and many Ukrainians know this, but I am announcing it in this update for those of you who have not heard.
I signed a one year contract with KCA and Nazarene Mission Corps, then another, and then one more. In college, I had considered teaching a year or two abroad before returning to America.
That "year or two" turned into 3, and I will return to America after this school year is finished. I will be moving to the Kansas City area to complete a master's degree in Intercultural Studies at Nazarene Theological Seminary. After that, I'm not sure where God will take me! :) Please keep me in your prayers through this next year of transition.

Nut/chocolate donut: 7.25грн. Hot cocoa: 10 грн. Finding a Dunkin-Donuts type kiosk near church: Priceless.

Upcoming Dates:
March 24-April 1: KCA spring break
March 18: Teaching English at Obolon
Late April: Junior/Senior Trip to Prague, Czech Republic (I will be one of 4 chaperones)

Recommended Links (for more stories)
Our Church Can Be Your Home -- Zena's perspective on our church's 20th birthday (with a photo slideshow!)
Amy's Dentist Adventure -- I am the "wonderful roommate" mentioned in the third paragraph about our traveling adventure. :)
God's Incredibility -- a taxi adventure (at least the fourth one we've had) after Bible study one night

Prayer Requests:

*For a package to get delivered to me that was sent in NOVEMBER. I suspect some babushka or customs agent somewhere is enjoying what's inside.
*KCA teachers! Many of us are leaving this year, so there are MANY teaching vacancies!
*Patience and creativity with my students

Praises:
*God has been at work thus far in the history of the Church of the Nazarene in Ukraine, and He is STILL at work!
*Good health during this winter season
*During topsy-turvy times in my life recently, God is still teaching me about forgiveness, trust, and love.

Thank you again for your continued support!

In Christ,
Jessica

February 2012 KCA Update

2012-02-14T23:42:00.001+02:00

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Hope that where you are it is much warmer than it is here! As of right now, the temperature is -11*C (that's 12*F). Here's a glimpse into the past month in Ukraine:

"Fishtailing" feet and frozen nose hairs
A few weeks ago, the temperature dropped to below -20*C for at least a week. Sorry, I think in Celsius temperatures now, especially when it's cold: 0* is the freezing point, anything below means there will be ice, and positive temperatures mean puddles.

Walking to the bus stop--it's slippery sometimes, and my feet "fishtail" on the ice

Though it was cold, the sun shone brightly--quite deceptive, but as one of my HS students put it, "the clouds protect us from space" and the cold. We had hoped for a day off from school due to the cold, but that hasn't happened yet--Ukrainian schools closed for 3 days though! One morning it was so cold that our bus stalled and wouldn't start again--so we had to catch another bus.

Click here to read about how the cold has affected people in Ukraine and Armenia.

Budapest Basketball Tournament
Our high school students recently competed in an invitational tournament sponsored by the International Christian School of Budapest (ICSB). Students from schools in Hungary, Austria, Romania, and Ukraine (us!) attended for a two-day tournament. We traveled by overnight train within Ukraine and then a bus in Hungary -- total distance between the two cities is almost 700 miles. While there, the Skinners and I were hosted by the Sunberg family--it was so fun to be with them again and spend time with their daughters.

Our girls placed FIRST and our boys ranked THIRD in their divisions! So great!

Here are some of the highlights of the weekend:
~Train and bus rides with the students and some parents...great conversations and even some good sleep!
~My first times crossing a land border in Europe: going into Hungary it took 3 hours, but coming back only 1!
~Musical KCA students--listening to them sing a cappella in the train station (which had great acoustics), or play guitar while on the train
~Piling into the Sunbergs' car twice a day and hearing/telling stories, even having theological discussions first thing in the morning
~Laughing and playing memory games with the 9th grade girls between basketball games in the Players' Lounge
~Eating Korean "pepero sticks" (cookie sticks)
~Dancing with our Eagle mascot on the court between games
~Seeing a former KCA student and her family--such a surprise! (she was in my 6th grade math class from '09-'10)
~Going to Hungarian church, and hearing Maria preach a great sermon on Luke 15...the only phrase I understood was "Jesus Christ." But He is the most important one, no matter the language or culture.
~Trying to find our KCA group after church -- the last person we asked about directions spoke Russian!!!
~Seeing wild deer and pheasants in the fields in rural Hungary

Fun Moments at Kids' Club
*One little boy (Danya, maybe) put on a cowboy hat and galloped around the room on his imaginary horse, saying (in Russian) "I'm a cowboy! I'm a cowboy!"
*For the Daniel Bible story one week, I prepared questions, and wasn't even nervous about asking 10-15 kids/adults questions in Russian!
*Katya (age 7 1/2) "styled" my hair one day--by messing it all up. I asked her, "Am I pretty?" "Oh, yes." "VERY pretty?" "Yes." Then she said something about a wedding, I guess that she could style my hair for my wedding.
*Some of the kids are giving me hugs throughout the day, just because--I hug them back, knowing that's an easy way to communicate Christ's love.

Katya, Katya, Dasha, Dima, and Danya

Upcoming Dates
*Feb 19: English at Obolon
*Week of Feb 27: Basketball season ends
*March 24: First full day of spring break!

Prayer Requests
~KCA seniors as they transition to college life in America--a foreign country to them, even if they have US passports
~For me to focus on God and spending time with Him regularly
~NTS coursework (History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene): To balance my time well, and to use my time wisely in addition to all my other responsibilities here in Kiev

Praises
~During a time of feeling left out this weekend, God provided opportunities for me to serve others, to listen to their stories, and otherwise keep my eyes off of myself!
~No fines or trouble for anyone at the border crossings
~A great time in Budapest, including no major injuries

Thank you again for all your support!
In Christ,
Jessica

January 2012 update

2012-01-15T21:32:00.001+02:00

Happy New Year! С новым годом!

I've been back in Ukraine for about 2 weeks now, and it's been nice to settle back into life in "my" city.

Reverse Culture Shock
Each time I return to America, there are things that stick out to me because they are so different than in Ukraine. As I defined it a few years ago, reverse culture shock is "when you miss the familiarity of the unfamiliar (Ukraine), and the familiar (America) is suddenly unfamiliar." This holiday, I felt the least amount of reverse culture shock of all my return trips -- perhaps I've finally adjusted to switching between cultures seamlessly.

Here are some things that "shocked" me...
*Strangers (especially in small towns) are friendly--they'll wave at you from across the street even if they have no idea who you are!
*(Many) Americans are loud. My friend and I could hear the Dunkin Donuts cashiers' conversation from the other end of the building where we were sitting.
*Sunshine at 5pm, and 60*F weather on New Year's Eve!
*My mom's oven was electric and took only a minute or two to pre-heat. Our oven in Ukraine is gas, requires us to light it with a lighter, and takes MANY minutes to pre-heat.
*The Dominos menu is different (besides being in another language)
*Restaurants or public areas in America don't advertise Wifi as often as places in Ukraine, and it's usually not offered/available as much.
*My church service was REALLY short (about 1 1/4 hour instead of about 2 hours or more), and it felt like we kept standing and sitting and standing and sitting....
*When stepping out of the shower, over the side of the tub, I didn't have to step down. In Ukraine, the floor of my shower is about 6" higher than the bathroom floor.

This is just a taste of how I have to adjust when I switch between countries. The important thing in all of this is my attitude of flexibility -- as the Youth in Mission motto goes, "That's different, but that's okay."

Despite these "shocks," my time in America was relaxing. I saw many of my friends and family. Also, during previous visits to America over Christmas, I've shared an update on life in Ukraine to my church (Chestertown, MD) in an evening service. This time, my time was only about 5 minutes long, in a morning service--it was nice not having to prepare a longer message -- made me really feel like I was on vacation! :)

Decorations at Kyiv First Church

KCA Semester #2 has begun!
This year, in contrast to my previous two years at KCA, we gave exams for first semester BEFORE Christmas break. Although those days were crazy, the students really looked forward to their Christmas break -- because they didn't have exams looming in the near future. When 2012 began, they had a fresh start to the new year!

On the 21st, I attended an Alumni basketball game (girls), when any returning KCA alumni has the opportunity to play on a team against current HS basketball team members. Some girls had graduated in 2009, and others had graduated in 2011 -- some had never played basketball on the same team before! It was so great to end 2011 with these families and former students, watching a basketball game for fun!

So now, we are in the second semester. Basketball season is getting into full swing. My geometry students are happy that they don't have to do proofs anymore. Two of my precalculus students have returned from a semester in the US. Today (15-Jan), it snowed a few inches, enough for the kids in the neighborhood to sled on a tiny hill.

This photo is NOT in black and white! (Taken at 10:30 am)

"You prayed for....": Updates from last month's prayer requests

You prayed for...
*Hope House girls.
Due to decisions made by the leadership in Odessa, Amy and I won't be going back until the missionaries from Canada return in the spring. We are uncertain of how this ministry will continue to take shape, but we miss the girls and are sad that we cannot continue to build relationships with them each month. More prayer would be appreciated, as we pray about how to minister to the girls -- to help them grow in their relationships with God and to serve others.
You prayed for...
*KCA MS/HS students taking semester exams.
I overheard one high school student saying, "This is the most anticipated Christmas break ever"--since they didn't have to worry about exams!
You prayed about...
*Holiday travel.
When I was flying back to Ukraine, we had a very turbulent approach to the runway in Munich, Germany--it was the worst feeling ever! BUT through the landing, I just listened to worship music on my iPod to distract myself (shh, don't tell the airline) and clung to God, remembering His promises. (I survived, in case you couldn't tell.)
You prayed for...
*More flexibility, and a Christ-like attitude when things don't happen according to my expectations

This is a lesson that I am constantly learning. I'm thankful for people in my life that are there to support me and pray for me, and that are sometimes learning the lesson right along with me! A common theme recently in my life is realizing I need to rely on God more -- through the challenges and through the easy times.

Upcoming Dates
January 22 -- English at Obolon
Early February -- the beginning of my online NTS course: "History and Polity of the Church of the Nazarene"

Prayer Requests
*Love for my students, and creativity in teaching
*That my relationship with Christ would be the MOST important thing in my life
*Friends back in America who are hurting (for various reasons)

Praises
*A restful Christmas holiday
*Understanding most of the Russian Bible study I attended last week (well, the parts that I paid attention to)
*Time with friends here in Ukraine...visiting them at their house, hosting Bible study here, or just hanging out

Thank you so much for your support throughout the past few months (and years)! May you have a wonderful 2012!

In Christ,
Jessica

December 2011 KCA/Ukraine Update

2011-12-08T12:39:00.001+02:00

Christmas greetings to you!

My next update will be from the New Year, so I send Christmas greetings now. The past few weeks have been extremely busy—I’m glad that a couple weeks’ vacation from school is on the horizon!

Speaking of vacations….
For the Thanksgiving holiday, I traveled to Budapest to visit the Sunberg family. Ukraine recently changed its visa system, and I thought that I would need a new visa. As it turns out, my old one is still good, and I had a few days to simply relax and celebrate Thanksgiving.

Hanging out in Heroes' Square in downtown Budapest--it was COLD! (photo by Teanna)

Lexi (an MK who had been at NYC this summer) and I also hung out, watching our favorite TV show and going to a used (English) bookstore together. During my layover in Vienna, I had ice cream with my friend Natasha from Kiev – she and her husband used to host a Bible study I attended. The long weekend was a nice time of relaxing and refueling before the mad dash at the end of the semester!

High School students after Snow-Ball 2011

KCA Life
On December 3, KCA held its annual Snow-Ball. This event is a semi-formal banquet for all high school students, and the girls invite the guys (Sadie Hawkins-style). After dinner and a senior trivia game, the students change clothes and play all kinds of active games in the gym. My roommate and I (and another teacher) were chaperones, helping with set-up of food, clean-up, and games. It was a lot of fun to hang out with these students, and to learn some little known facts about the seniors!
My 6th grade Bible class has been going better than before -- I am trying to involve the students more by asking them questions to get them thinking about God's Word. Reading the Scripture on their own before we discuss as a class gives them more time to think/process, then I can ask them about applying it to their own lives.

6th graders (Zoe, Chae Hee, Andre, Kolya, Paul) collaborating during their exam review game

Hope House visit #2
The week before our second Hope House visit was fraught with many uncertainties--and made us practice flexibility! Once there, Amy and I kept our English lessons short, because the girls had been at a church all-nighter. After dinner, our Bible lesson was on Hannah and her dream of having a child. We discussed our dreams, and what the girls said was revealing of their culture and their life circumstances. They dream of finishing university, learning English to be an interpreter, to marry and have an apartment, having a car, to teach art to kids. Despite having had hard lives, these girls can still dream – especially since these things aren’t “givens” for them. Praise God for the hope that He brings to our lives!

This is where we get off the bus in the evenings -- by the camels. :)

Another link in the banana box trail...
Some of you may remember my story of seeing the entire path of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. My home church in America, Chestertown, MD, has a "packing house" where banana boxes of clothes and Crisis Care Kits (CCKs) are organized, labeled, and then taken to the NCM warehouse in Fawn Grove. During my YIM trip to Ukraine in 2008, I saw empty banana boxes that had come from the US, loaded full boxes from the church onto a truck, and then saw kids wearing shirts with the names of 2 churches on my district. To see the process all the way through was pretty neat, though I never got to see the kids receive anything.

Today (12/15) at Kids' Club, when the kids were about to leave to go home, Sveta told them, "We have a gift for you from the church," and put a banana box on the table. Each child received their own Crisis Care Kit! These kids were--of course--more interested in the stuffed animal than the toiletries. "It's scented!" the kids realized, and sniffed their toys. No kidding -- it's been in a Ziploc bag with shampoo and soap for weeks or months! :)

Anya/Anna

The kids looked at each other's bags and toys, showing each other what they got. I heard "Спасибо" (Spasibo--thank you) repeated multiple times by the kids. Anya, pictured above, was showing the adults her sunflower bear. It was so cool for me to see these kids receive the CCKs -- I have been going to Kids' Club for about a month and a half now, so I know some of these kids and some of their stories. I've helped them make crafts when they just can't do it themselves, tried to keep them from touching the snack ingredients too much, and have tried to show Christ's love even when they drive me nuts.

On behalf of these kids, I would like to thank you for sending banana boxes of clothes and CCKs throughout the world. You may never meet these kids, know their stories, or watch their expressions as they receive this gift. These DO make a difference, no matter how simple it seems.

~Jessica

Upcoming Dates:
December 19-21: Semester exams for KCA middle/high school students
December 22-January 4: America for Christmas break!

Prayer Requests:
*Hope House girls—for their studies (to pass exams). Their church needs a youth leader. They want their relatives to know God. Pray for their character development.
*KCA MS/HS students taking semester exams on the 19th, 20th, 21st
*Holiday travel: KCA alumni are returning home for Christmas and New Year's, and other families/teachers are traveling to America or elsewhere
*More flexibility, and a Christ-like attitude when things don't happen according to my expectations

Praises:
*Spending time with friends and fellow teachers
*6th grade Bible class -- discussion is improving!
*my Russian skills are improving -- I prayed a few sentences in Russian at the home Bible study last week!

November Update 2011

2011-11-05T22:16:00.000+02:00

Hello all,
Here is a recent update from life and ministry in Kiev, Ukraine!

KCA Fall Retreat
The school's Fall Retreat, held from October 7th to 9th, was a great time of getting to know the students and watching them bond with each other. My roommates included one 6th grade girl and a new 7th grade girl.
On Friday night, we played a large group game outside in the dark, called "The Most Dangerous Game." Imagine a massive game of teachers hiding and students seeking -- BUT the teachers are armed with "weapons" like mayonnaise, wet dog food, flyswatter (that was mine), or frozen cauliflower. Students could earn points for their team or lose individual lives (they had 5-10 total) if the teacher got them first. The perk of looking like a high schooler was that I could sneak up on the students and tag them before they even realized I wasn't one of them!
The rest of the time was filled with group games, discussion groups, worship sessions, and -- what is always a highlight -- the "extended worship" time just before the bonfire.

High school girls having fun at Fall Retreat! (photo by Nadia)

Inquiring minds....
Have you ever wondered something about Ukraine and never had the chance to ask? Some of you I haven't had the opportunity to see while in the US, especially when I'm at different churches. I have created a sidebar on my blog where you may submit questions and I can answer them! Questions will not be posted until I review and answer them. Click here to submit questions (anonymously if you like)!

Regional Conference:
From October 10-16, I was at our Regional Conference with just over 600 other people. Here are a few of the highlights:
~Missionary Retreat for the first few days: I was able to reconnect with old friends and meet new volunteers.
~Dinner with other Mission Corps volunteers, sharing our stories with each other
~Spending more time with friends from Kiev, seeing other leaders from Ukraine (including pastors that I first met in 2008!), and meeting others from around the CIS Field (98 of us total)
~Connecting with Lonnie and Connie, our new Field Strategy Coordinator
~I learned that I have a blog reader from India!
~Meeting and spending time with people from countries like India, UK, Spain, Holland, and also other Americans.
~Touring the Roman ruins at Perge and Aspendos
~Putting my feet in the Mediterranean Sea
~Hanging out with the MKs and other teens, playing games like Extreme Uno and "Honey if you love me"
~Ordination Service of 5 people, a few of whom are from Creative Access countries!

Conference Links:
Regional Newsletter about the conference
Highlight video

Some of our group singing in Russian. That's me in the purple shirt, reading the words from the page!

New Ministry Involvement
This semester, I am working on earning an Intercultural Studies practicum credit from Nazarene Theological Seminary. In addition to teaching English at Obolon and helping at Hope House, I have begun attending a Russian home Bible study and Kids' Club at Kiev First Church of the Nazarene. Both of these include immersion in Russian for a few hours (though sometimes I get translation help with the Bible study), with the intention of learning more about the culture, ministry style, and spiritual formation here in Ukraine. It's very tiring to listen to and try to comprehend Russian for more than 15-20 minutes, but my hope is that I can extend my attention span as well as my understanding.

Masha, my Russian teacher, and I went to the President's House one day after school. You can't get this close to the White House!

Upcoming Dates:

Nov 6: Dedication Service of Pastor Oleg and Natasha's little girl Anna plus Day of Thanksgiving

November 11-13: Odessa trip to Hope House
November 20: English lesson at Obolon

November 23 (afternoon)-27: Thanksgiving vacation -- I will be traveling to Budapest to visit missionary friends there. :)

Prayer Requests:
*Patience with students when they ask unending questions
*Improved classroom management skills
*More engaging teaching methods to get my 6th graders discussing God's Word and how to apply it to their lives and draw closer to Christ
*Next year's staffing needs @ KCA

Praises:
*God is faithful, and will take care of me no matter what the future holds. I can trust Him rather than putting my hopes into other people.
*Bible study with Colleen and two other teachers from KCA -- this is a great time for us to grow in our relationships with God and with others
*A fun evening tonight (11/5) with Svetlana from Obolon and her two boys. We invited them over for pizza and worked on a puzzle.

Thank you for your prayers and support. Without you, this would not be possible. Thank you for being my "cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1) so that I can run this course of ministry in Ukraine. May we remember to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

In Christ,
Jessica

October 2011 Ministry Update

2011-10-04T19:54:00.000+03:00

Hello, friends, family, and other supporters!

This update is chock-full of stories and information. Read on to see how God has been at work in Ukraine!

Hope House visit
In the middle of September, my roommate and I traveled to a village outside Odesa, Ukraine, to spend some times with the girls of Hope House. Click here to read my blog post from shortly after our visit (there is also a link to my roommate's blog post).

My roommate and I with most of the girls of Hope House

As an update to my blog post, I found out last week that two more of the girls, Katya and Tanya, gave their hearts to Christ! Yay! Praise God! Now only two of the girls are "holdouts" -- pray for Nadia and Lena, that they would be open to Christ's love, hope, and work in their lives.

Please pray that our time with these girls will reflect Christ's love, and point them toward His hope.

KCA Teaching
There are some unique caveats about teaching at KCA, like the time we had "Left Bank School" due to the swine flu quarantine in 2009. One of my geometry students, Rebecca, is still in America, and should be returning any day now. Her family is still in the process of raising support, so she has been independently keeping up with her assignments. I have sent her homework assignments and answer keys, and have emailed her explanations to other problems. Last week I Skyped her to see how she was doing -- this may become a more common experience in the next few lessons as needed.
My 6th grade math class has been working on a project about decimals called "Let's Go Out to Eat." In groups, they created restaurant menus and used the food prices to practice adding, subtracting, and multiplying decimals. This is the first year I've ever used this as an alternative to the chapter test (I got it from one of my prepracticums in college), and it's been a learning experience in regards to how the students cooperate (or don't), who tends to take charge, and how to keep them on task.

What is Normal?
"Normal" in my life is a whole lot different than "normal" in your life. For instance, putting our extra juice cartons (we bought 5 cartons of juice when we were at the store on Sunday) on the dryer is perfectly acceptable/logical, because our dryer is between our fridge and cabinet. Normal is being comfortable when singing worship songs in Russian at my "home church" here in Ukraine.

Click the section title to read what's normal for me in Ukraine, and what was "normal" when I went back to America this summer. If you have any thoughts on what to add, let me know! :)

Some of the kids from Obolon -- I teach the older group.

Upcoming Dates:
October 7-9 KCA Fall Retreat for middle and high schoolers
October 10-16 Eurasia Regional Conference
November 6: Teaching English in Obolon
No time change for Daylight Savings in Ukraine! (This means we will be 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, rather than just 7.)

Praises:
*Natasha, the pastor's wife in Obolon, gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Anna on 9/21. They were both at church on Sunday the 2nd. :)
*During both of our train rides between Kyiv and Odessa, my teammate and I had 2 women coupe-mates. This is definitely a blessing from God.
*Pastor Vova of Kyiv First Church (my "home church" in Ukraine) and Sylvia of the US got married on September 24 in San Diego. They will have a "renewal of vows" ceremony here in Kiev on October 8.

Prayer Requests:
*Rebecca, my geometry student who is still in America (as well as others) -- pray that they will receive the monthly support that they need, and that she will be able to jump right back into the swing of things at KCA
*Patience with my students when they fail to see the gaps in their own knowledge (did you think I was going to leave it as "patience when they fail"??)
*Development of a Christlike character in myself, the people I work with (both Ukrainians and expats), and in my students.

In Christ,
Jessica

Baptism Service

2011-09-24T10:53:00.001+03:00

I came across this video on Zee's page and just had to share it.

This summer, while I was in America, Kyiv First Church of the Nazarene held a baptism service in their backyard. The Eastern Orthodox church (the most prevalent church in Ukraine) baptizes people at a young age, but these individuals chose to be baptized again before their church family.

Kyiv First is my "home church" in Ukraine, and though I was sad that I missed this event in the life of the church, I am glad that Zee recorded video and posted it on Youtube!

On the left (your left) is Pastor Vova, and on the right is Sergey Dziba, the youth leader. In order of their baptisms on this video are: Sergey Orlyuk, Ilya, Philip (Pastor Vova's son), Andrei Tkachenko, Kristina, Pasha (Sergey's son), and Katya. As you can see, most of those baptized were youth. A number of these youth are already involved in church and youth group activities, whether it is as part of the music teams or helping with camps.

What an exciting time in the life of our church!

Train-ing across Ukraine

2011-09-23T20:51:00.000+03:00

Last weekend, we took the train to Odessa.

Riding the train is something my team and I did a LOT of during the summer of 2008. When we went to a new town/city, some part of our journey to or from the city would include being dropped off at the train station, riding the train, and/or being picked up at the train station. Sometimes Cliff would drive us, but most of the time, we rode the train.

I really enjoyed the train rides, and still do. There's just something about being in a compartment with friends and/or strangers, talking, maybe playing cards, looking out the window and enjoying the fresh air, and sleeping on narrow bunks -- which outweighs the stuffiness, the chance of traveling with smelly men or drunk people, and the toilet you have to hover over.

During these summer train rides, when the sun hadn't set by 9 pm, I enjoyed looking out the window at the scenery. Sometimes the scenery was only a forest, but other times you got glimpses of village life. Old people might be herding their cows or sheep in the grassy area near the tracks. Seeing small garden plots, people walking down the road, and small settlements were all just so serene and peaceful compared to life in the city.

Unknown village and river in Ukraine, 2008

How to Ride the Train in Ukraine:
1. Arrive at the station 30 minutes before your train departs, to find the correct track, wagon, and place. Otherwise one of your traveling companions might have to pull the emergency "стоп кран" lever.

Wagon #2 of the Odesa-Kiev train (#124)

2. Place your things in the storage areas -- under the bottom bunks, on the shelves, or in the space over the passageway.

Coupe with under-bench storage area visible

3. Sit in your coupe, look out the window, talk with friends, maybe eat a picnic dinner. The conductor will come by at some point to check and take your tickets.

Our group going to Chernivtsi in January 2010

4. If you are sleeping in a top bunk, climb up and unroll your bed. Make your bed using the provided sheets and pillowcase -- they're clean!

5. You may need the wool blanket provided, sometimes even when the weather's nice outside.

Wool blankets on shelf, reading light, and bedrolls on the top bunk

6. When you are ready to go to bed, or to change your clothes, close the door to your compartment. There is also a mirror for your convenience.

The storage area is in the background above the doorway, and you can also see coathooks and hand rails.

7. The bathroom is at the end of this hallway, and is locked when the train stops at stations. This is because when the flusher-pedal is pushed, you can see the tracks passing beneath the train car.

8. In the morning, about 30-60 minutes before arriving at your destination, the conductor might come by and wake you up. Otherwise, you need to un-make your bed, roll up the mattress, and pack up your things. When you return your sheets to the conductor, he/she will return your voided tickets.

Odesa Train Station, early in the morning -- 2009

Special Situations
*Sometimes you might need to change trains part of the way through your journey. Sometimes, that means you sit at a train station from 3 am to 8 am, dozing off while trying to keep an eye on your group's luggage.

Waiting area -- "bufet" -- in the train station

Remember not to speak English too loudly, and if a babushka sells you vareniki and gives you plastic forks she wipes off with napkins she found in her bag, just "wash" your hands with hand sanitizer and eat with your fingers.

Zhmerinka, 2008, where we stayed for 5 hours one night.

*If you are a young female or two females traveling "alone", the best coupe situation is to be with other women. However, since you cannot choose your traveling companions unless you are buying your tickets together, you just have to hope for the best. When you DO have 2 other female companions, look at each other in relief. (Praise God that this past weekend Amy and I traveled with 2 other women both times!)

Last week, despite the logistics of getting to the train station after our Parent Teacher Fellowship, and the logistics of getting to school on time on Monday morning, our train travels were uneventful! Having women coupe-mates both trips (especially since this was Amy's first time traveling via overnight train) was definitely a blessing from God! I can't wait for more train rides across Ukraine this year! :)

Hope House: September Visit

2011-09-21T23:04:00.002+03:00

This past weekend Amy (roommate) and I traveled to Odessa, Ukraine, on the coast of the Black Sea, in order to visit Hope House and participate in a ministry opportunity there. Hope House is a ministry of World Hope Ukraine, and there are two Wesleyan missionaries there named Kerry and Carole.

Hope House exists as a sort of transition home for teenage girls who have aged out of the orphanage/internat system in Ukraine at around age 15-16. Often, they are unable to write their entrance exams for vocational "colleges", and don't have papers to show their status. Many move to the government "dormitories", but this is a "party environment," as Carole put it. Generally, within 6 months of "graduating" from the internat, teenagers will commit suicide, be on drugs, or get pregnant. This of course perpetuates a vicious cycle. There are about 16 girls currently living at Hope House, ranging in age from 15 to 19. Hope House provides structure and a family-like environment, responsibility for routines like caring for chickens, and opportunities for learning English.

Chickens!

Last spring, Cliff (Nazarene missionary) asked me if I'd be interested in teaching English down at Hope House, because the Canadian missionaries leave every winter (due to visa issues). The girls would need someone to help them practice their English. The purpose of our visit this month was to meet the Allisons, meet the girls and begin to build relationships with them, and learn how to get to the house by ourselves.

Here is a video that tells a little more about the idea behind Hope House (even though it refers to a different ministry).

On Saturday morning, Amy and I prepared for our Bible lesson by sorting through a suitcase full of flannelgraph figures (remember those from your Sunday school days?) that related to the story of Deborah. Carole talked with us about the English lessons, and though I almost thought I'd have to plan a new lesson, I was able to use my original plan as review.

We had lunch with the girls at Hope House, then began our lessons shortly thereafter. Even though my lesson was a review for them, we were able to get to know each other. My group--the "advanced group"-- had five girls: Nadia, Vika, Yana, Luba, and Lena. We reviewed am/are/is, and how to negate them. I also had different location phrases -- "at the beach," "in the car," etc. -- for them to combine to make sentences. Some of my instructions for an activity weren't very clear, and because of her frustration, one of my students "shut down" for a few minutes. I have seen this at KCA with another one of my students, so I kept trying to involve this girl. Finally, for one of the charades, I had her join me to act out "at the beach" -- she smiled and all was well!

The outside of Hope House

In the evening, Amy and I shared the story of Deborah (Judges 4-5). We began in prayer -- my first time praying through an interpreter! Amy shared about the cycle of sin in Judges, because her 3rd grade class had just learned about it in Bible class. She read the story of Deborah, Lena interpreted, and I moved the flannelgraph pieces.

Judges 4:14 (MSG) Deborah said to Barak, "Charge! This very day God has given you victory over Sisera. Isn't God marching before you?"

"Replace 'Sisera' with any difficulty in your life--a battle, a sin, anything. God is marching before us, and He'll give us the victory," we told the girls. We asked them, "What has God given you victory over already?"

Most of the girls and I after church on Sunday

The rest of our time we spent getting to know the girls -- we taught them how to play Wii bowling, and I walked back from church with two of the girls.

In our conversations with Kerry, he talked about how there is no one who will speak up for these girls, who will help them find their way in society. "Who will go to bat for them?" In other words, who will defend them? Who will help them? Later, I was thinking, I can't help them with Ukrainian paperwork and the Ukrainian system. I can't help them find their way in a society/culture I am just simply learning myself!

Then I remembered James 4:17 -- "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them." For right now, I can simply give what I have -- a willingness to visit them and get to know each of the girls, training/background in teaching, and speaking English as a native. THIS is what I can give for these girls, to support them in their transition. God will take the little bit that I have and use it to encourage the girls -- it's my responsibility to obey Christ in these little steps.

What opportunities do you see around you to do good? How has the Lord provided for you, in order that you may provide for others?

We will return on October 22 for our next visit. :)

(Click here to read Amy's perspective.)

What is Normal?

2011-09-15T22:29:00.000+03:00

Here's a glimpse into what's "normal" for me.

America, summer 2011:
Normal is arriving at a new place and staying in the home of people you've never met before. Normal is finding out there are fewer than six degrees of separation between you and that family.

Normal is speaking at 1-2 different churches every week and rarely hearing a sermon that you are not preaching. Normal is finding time while driving to listen to a sermon from a church in San Diego that you have never attended. Normal is being outgoing and friendly simply because it's necessary then riding in the car in silence for an hour.

Normal is going less than 30 days without living out of a suitcase. Normal is having 2 different pastors in 2 different countries, and "home" churches in multiple states. Normal is thinking that a church service held entirely in English is just too easy.

Normal is wondering if people in America actually call it "Philadelphia" instead of "cream cheese." Normal is getting confused about the money that is not color-coded. Normal is thinking that American pop culture is weird.

Ukraine:
Normal is attending a church service where you sing along to songs you barely understand. Normal is hanging out a girls' camp for the day and zoning out most of the time because you don't understand. Normal is joining group games with the help of others to translate/interpret.

Normal is feeling some distance (communication) between myself and the people around me at church, or those I meet, even when we are back to back on public transport. Normal is listening to one of the KCA moms speak Spanish, then responding in Russian.

Normal is not knowing literal translations of signs, but only the practical implications. Normal is having American friends who are not from your home state. Normal is when you have to plan extra time to prepare ingredients for cooking because there are not pre-packaged salad mixes or boxed things like Hamburger Helper. Normal is saying that spring begins on March 1, even if it snows 2 weeks later.

Normal is not having internet for the first week. Normal is routine activities taking all day. Normal is having to live by a different kind of clock. Normal is thinking of at least 2 uses for every object in your house; i.e., a radiator can help thaw raw meat, or a wet Q-tip works as an "eraser" on overhead transparencies. Normal is being entertained easily by catching the пух with a vacuum cleaner. Normal is picking up and paying for train tickets at the church, and not at a cashier at the train station. Normal is paying for bags at the grocery store.

Normal is inviting 2 American English teachers whom you have never met, but only chatted with one online because they know another missionary friend of yours, to stay in your apartment for three or four days. Normal is the kitchen being a perfectly logical place to tell them to put their used bath towels.

To quote Youth in Mission, "That's different, but that's okay!"

What's "normal" in your part of the world?

September 2011 Update

2011-09-04T20:43:00.000+03:00

Dear family, friends, and supporters,

Hello once again from Kyiv, Ukraine! I have been back in the country for almost 3 weeks now, and (for now, anyway) it seems to be a smooth transition back into the swing of things. My roommate and I have settled into our new apartment and found essential places nearby like the bank, grocery store, Dreamtown mall, and Domino's pizza. :) We've enjoyed catching up with friends again, hanging out in the evenings after school or on Sundays after church.

KCA: The First Week
All four of my classes are in a row this year: 6th grade math (during 2nd period), then a snack break, then precalculus/advanced math, geometry (followed by lunch), and 6th grade Bible. The first 2 weeks have been a time of "training" my students in the daily routine and how I do things in my classroom, in addition to teaching math and Bible, of course.
For now, the hardest part about my schedule is that I don't get a break, and have to be "on" at all times, ready to teach or answer questions or get ready for the next class. I'm an introvert (though not shy, in case you were wondering), so I need to make time to "recharge" away from people.

Jen and Kara
From Aug 24-27, my roommate and I hosted 2 American English teachers in our apartment. Kara (who is also a YIM alum) and her cousin Jen came to Ukraine to teach English with International House in Poltava (not to be confused with IHOP). We showed them around a LOT of the city, and introduced them to some church leaders before they left on the train. Their first night -- mere hours after their arrival -- we made them come to the city center for some Independence Day festivities. These were their first few days in Ukraine, so we showed them around a grocery store and taught them a little Ukrainian history. I was even able to help Jen buy antibiotics at the local pharmacy!

Riding the metro with "just one more" passenger: Amy and I in the background; Kara and Jen in the front

Obolon English and Other Church Ministries
This morning was the "kick-off" for Sunday school/children's church at the Obolon church, located only a 10 minute walk from our apartment. Though we didn't teach a lesson today, Amy and I went to see the kids and our fellow teachers again for the first time since the spring. We sang a song that I first learned in 2008 in Zaporozhe that goes something like this: "Every day and every hour...Lord, come help us." Our first lesson will be on October 2, and I look forward to working with Svetlana again this year.

The kiddos at Obolon

On the first Sunday I was back, I went out to the district Girls' Camp for the evening to see friends and hear Pastor Vova speak. Though there were a handful of people there that spoke English (including Tanya from Moscow) and Zee translated the message, I was mostly immersed in Russian for most of the time. Eight of us played Dutch Blitz, then after a tea spill, we played a game that was a combination of charades, pictionary, and taboo. Zee and Tanya were on the other team, so they would translate what I needed to do, though sometimes I understood the phrase

Also, a team from Susanville, CA was here a couple weeks ago to help the church-plant in Poznyaki. (Some of you may remember that there was an NNU team here, and I've helped teach English over there too.) Each night for a week, the team and Andriy and Marina's family held a VBS for the neighborhood kids, with the intent of connecting these families to the church plant. A couple times I joined them to help paint and help with the kids and games. I enjoyed getting to know each of them throughout the course of the week, including 12 year old Ben and 6 year old Danny!

The team (Verne, Cathy, Ben, Danny, Jameson) and myself

Hope House Opportunity in Odesa
Yesterday I spoke on the phone with some Wesleyan missionaries in Odesa (a city on the Black Sea) about coming to teach English there once a month. Last spring, Cliff told us about Hope House, and how we could visit once a month while the Canadian missionaries are gone, so that the girls could practice speaking English. Now that I have talked to the missionaries a bit (and we Skyped tonight), I'm excited about this opportunity for teaching English and leading Bible studies! Pray for the planning and coordinating of this time, and for the people to whom and with whom we'll be ministering.

Upcoming Dates
*September 12 (I think): "Operation Mary / Hold and Witness" team comes to Ukraine
*September 16-18: Visiting Odessa and Hope House
*October 2: Teaching English at Obolon
*October 7-9: MS/HS Fall Retreat
*October 9-16: Eurasia Regional Conference

Prayer Requests
*Students/parents who are still on their way to Ukraine
*English-language learners in all my classes, and patience/understanding in working with them (In my 6th grade class, only 2 of the 9 students are American. One has lived in UA all his life, and the other was adopted from Russia.)
*Time management: in regards to tasks I need to complete, time with people, and time spent with God
*Hope House girls and the ministry that happens there every day/week.

Praises
*My geometry class has only 14 students this year (rather than 18), which means more space in my classroom and more time to answer students' questions.
*Ministry opportunities -- teaching English in various places, building relationships with the KCA students, and just being with my Ukrainian friends
*Russian-language triumphs, like asking directions, putting our friends on the train, and basic conversations

Thank you for all your prayers and support!
In Christ,
Jessica

August 2011 Update

2011-08-15T00:10:00.000+03:00

Hello friends and family,

I am writing this while still on the western side of the Atlantic, but on Monday the 15th, I fly back to Ukraine! My roommate and I will fly together once we arrive in Munich -- should be fun.

Summer Life
Besides speaking in churches, I've spent this summer visiting friends and family -- plus meeting lots of new people. I've been both a tourist and a tour guide in my own country. Another highlight was the ability to connect with others who have been to Ukraine, or who have recently been on missions trips themselves.

Support Funds Update
Many of you asked about how much support I'd received this summer. Here's the breakdown:
Still left in my Ukraine account as of the beginning of August-- $5,668.11
Received this summer from churches, monthly sponsors, or other one-time donations: $4,669
Churches who still need to let me know an exact or additional amount: 5ish.
There are a couple current or future monthly sponsors whose contributions are not recorded, and I'm not sure of those amounts.

The definite total at this point is $10,217.11, and I spoke at one last church on Sunday the 14th. That will make a total of 13 churches I've visited this summer.

So, through you, God is providing funds for this year!!!

New Field Strategy Coordinator for CIS Field
Lonnie and Connie Norris will be moving to Kiev this year to serve as FSC. I have never met them, but they already have ties to the field. Click here to read the related NCN News article.

Random Travel Facts:
This summer, I:
*Visited all 4 commonwealths within the US within a 2 week time: Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
*Have driven through 18 of the 23 Maryland counties.
*Spotted license plates for 45 different United States (missing AK, HI, Montana, Nevada, SD), 5 Canadian provinces (Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Manitoba), plus DC and Diplomat tags.
*Walked across the state of Maryland (nearly 3 miles).

Upcoming Dates:
August 15: Depart USA
August 16: Arrive in Ukraine
August 18-19: KCA Teacher Orientation/Preparation
August 23: First Day of School!

Prayer Requests:
*Safe travels back to Ukraine (for myself and other missionaries, including some school families)
*Calmness and focus in preparing for this school year
*Nazarene mission team dynamics, as this is a year of transition: two of our missionaries (who have been there long before I first came to Ukraine with YIM in 2008) are relocating to another Eurasia field, and we have a new Field Strategy Coordinator arriving.

Praises:
*God's providing the necessary funds!
*Time with family and friends, and meeting new folks!

Thank you for all your continued support!

In Christ,

Jessica

Note: If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply with “unsubscribe” in the subject line. Thank you.

July 2011 update

2011-07-15T06:05:00.000+03:00

Hello all,

I wanted to title this "Ukraine update" or "KCA update" but then I remembered I wasn't at either place!

"The America"-- By the Numbers
12 Maryland counties entered; 5 states + DC visited.
$2,403 raised (4 churches, plus a few small donations)
38 more people needed to sponsor me at $25/month! Click here to contribute electronically.
4 of 13 churches visited

"Fundage" Update
My ministry in Ukraine cannot happen without your help and partnership. YOU are part of the team. As mentioned above, this summer $2,403 has been contributed toward my account. A small part of that amount came from monthly sponsors. To cover my expenses for this last school year, I still need $9,597 from either one-time donations or through monthly pledges. If you are interested in contributing electronically, the link is above. For contributing by check, here are the instructions: Checks should be made out to: General Treasurer, Church of the Nazarene and mailed to PO Box 843116, Kansas City, MO 64184. Please include Jessica H /Mission Corps/Ukraine on the memo line of your check in order for the funds to go to the appropriate area of the world where I will be serving. Thank you SO MUCH!

Re-Entry Shock
Re-entry shock, or reverse culture shock, hasn't been too bad. One of the confusing things is dealing with time zones: there is now a 7 hour difference between my friends in Ukraine and me, but no difference between me and my East Coast friends. Here is a funny story: At Family Camp, I had a water bottle that I would refill in the dining hall and then take back to the cabin. Eventually I realized that the tap water in the cabin was perfectly drinkable and that I didn't need to take my water bottle with me!

New Friends
In my travels, I have been able to meet lots of people. Here are just a few --
*Lisa-Jo: she and her husband lived in Kiev for 3 years, and attended the Nazarene church. I read her blog, and we have many mutual friends. We met for lunch the day I applied for my visa.
*Aleksey and Lena: Ukrainian missionary couple with Campus Crusade ministering in Ocean City, MD to Eastern European students
*Missionary Rod Reed and his daughters Katie (18) and Hannah (12): Missionary speaker(s) at Family Camp, from Africa Nazarene Univ. I enjoyed having lunch with them one day, and hearing them share during the missions service.

NYC -- the capstone of my summer
Over 6,000 Nazarene teens and their sponsors gathered in Louisville, Kentucky last week for a time of worship, service, prayer, and fun. Our Missionary Kid group had 29 students and 6 sponsors, coming from every region of the Church of the Nazarene. My roommates included 2 MKs from Eastern Europe and one from Senegal. I saw friends from all over the country -- Mid-Atlantic District, New England District, Maine, Michigan, and even El Paso!

Our crazy MK group

Our students (and sponsors too!) participated in the Bundles of Hope project, where we sorted and packed all kinds of baby supplies to be distributed to lower-income families in the Louisville area. Another ongoing project was called "Something to Eat" (click link to learn more), where we helped package basic nutritious meals to be shipped around the world.

"Something to Eat" assembly line

We heard messages with the themes of Create, Broken, Promise, Presence, Satisfied, Mission, and Restored. Later, in a time of group reflection, the students shared about how God was speaking to them. Some shared about how they too can actively be involved in ministry where they are, that it's not just about their parents -- including their unsaved friends and getting involved more in their own youth groups. Others shared stories of how God provided the funds and logistics for them come to NYC in the first place. For these MKs, simply being with others who have common experiences of being a "third culture kid" and having friends scattered across the world was an encouragement. They understand each other and can share their own experiences.

We also had times of fun, whether it was go-karting and mini golfing on Saturday, playing Ninja or Pterodactyl at the hotel, or enjoying the exhibit hall (usually gravitating to the drums in the NCM exhibit).

Eurasia representation at NYC

Upcoming Dates:
Click here to see my most up-to-date listing of churches I will be visiting.

Other Dates:
July 22-24: Road trip to New England!
Aug 15: Depart America for Ukraine
Aug 23: First Day of School / Parent Orientation

Praises:
*The MKs' openness to God's leading and for their recognition of what God wanted to say to them during NYC.
*A full schedule of speaking at churches
*The opportunities to see friends and family while "home" in America

Prayer Requests:
*For the MKs to assimilate how God's spoken to them into how they live their lives for months and years to come
*MKs in transition -- whether it is between other countries or back to America
*Provision of the remaining funds for the rest of my school year. I hope to be able to stay in Ukraine until the end of July, so that I can attend the district kids' camp.

One more year at KCA, here we go! Thanks for all your support!
Jessica

Pre-Home Assignment Update

2011-06-04T23:24:00.000+03:00

As my year in Ukraine comes to a close, with just three days remaining, I thought I would take this time to share some specific summer prayer requests and information with you.

Speaking Schedule 2011--Here is a list of where I have officially been scheduled to speak this summer.

June 12 --
AM: Westminster, MD

June 19 --
AM: Frederick New Beginnings, MD (youth Sunday school class)

June 25 (Saturday)--
PM: Berlin The River, MD (youth service)

June 26 --
AM: Berlin The River, MD

July 3 --
AM: Hanover Trinity, PA (between Gettysburg and I-83)

July 10 --
AM: UNAVAILABLE (Nazarene Youth Conference)

July 31 --
AM: South Carroll (Eldersburg), MD
PM: Pleasant Ridge, PA

August 7 --
AM: Gettysburg Harvest, PA
PM: Ryot, PA

August 14 --
AM: Leonardtown, MD

Prayer Requests:
Please pray that God would:
-Help me to have a smooth time of re-adjustment to American life (read my definition of reverse culture shock here)
-Speak through me and with His words in the various contexts: Sunday School class, youth service, regular Sunday services
-Provide funds for this next year of teaching at KCA, from one-time or monthly sponsors
-Keep me safe while traveling: across the ocean, to Kentucky, driving throughout MD/PA
-Provide enough personal funds for the things I will need to take care of while at home in America: gas, food while on the road, cell phone bill, doctor/dentist/eye doctor appointments

Nazarene Youth Conference:
In the past few weeks, I have been getting to know the students of the MK District via our Facebook group. They are sure to be a fun bunch, and I already know 3 of the Eurasia students and a few of the sponsors. I also discovered that I will have the chance to meet one of the MK's at my very own district Family Camp, just a week before NYC!

Please pray for these students and for us sponsors. Pray that the students will be open to what God wants to teach/tell them. Pray for us sponsors, that we would be able to guide these students closer to God, connect with them, and have the energy to last through the week! We will be there from July 5-10.

Thank you again for all your prayers and encouragement. I hope to see you sometime this summer!
Jessica

Cultivating Time(s) of Rest

2011-05-28T23:35:00.000+03:00

This summer, I will be in America for 2 months during KCA's summer vacation. However, this time in America is not really a vacation for me, since I will be super busy.

What does my summer include?
*Speaking at 9-10 different churches, plus a camp in RI, in order to find monthly sponsors to provide my support for next year
*Nazarene Youth Conference in Kentucky, as a sponsor for the MK district
*Jon and Allie's wedding in MA
*Re-applying for my visa (2 trips to DC)
*Going to District Family Camp!
*Replenish supplies that I will need in Ukraine, and go through my belongings at home to see what I don't need anymore
*Time with family
*Visiting friends that I don't get to see very often, plus spending some time with my new pastor's family to get to know them (and having that support base from my home church)
*Possibly doing some study on the New Testament as preparation for teaching 6th grade Bible again next year

From another missionary blog:

Beyond the initial culture shock of being in a foreign country, there is a certain level of culture stress that never goes away. Living day in and day out in a culture with different values, beliefs, and language than your own can create a certain amount of stress. You can never fully identify or understand the people around you, nor they you.

When I was in Ireland in the spring, I felt like I had a TRUE vacation. Among other things, I was in an English speaking country, the environment was completely different from Ukraine, and there was nothing required of me.

As you can see from my list, I have a lot to do within the course of 2 months -- enough so that it's not much like a vacation. The question now becomes, how will I cultivate times of rest during this time in America?

Here's how I anticipate being able to find times of rest this summer:
*One weekend I will be near the beach, speaking at a church. I plan to find some time to hit the beach, go swimming, and just listen to the crashing of the waves.
*At the youth conference, some of my co-sponsors are friends I've known for 4 years (and I've seen them almost every year since then). Besides this, there will be youth pastors and youth from around the country that I will know, and I really look forward to seeing these old friends in person.
*I greatly enjoy reading, and will be reading as many books from the library as I can.
*Going to my friends' wedding will give me the chance to see old college friends (yes, I've only been out for 2 years), and also see my "twin."

I challenge you, in the busyness of your own lives, to find ways to rest and to take a "Sabbath" even if it's not on Sunday. Don't get so caught up in DOING things that you forget you are a human BEING. Take time out of your schedule and focus on God and what He has to say to you. Be open to allowing him to shape your life and change you to make you more like Jesus.

Two week countdown

2011-05-25T21:49:00.000+03:00

Tonight at dinner with the NNU team and Kiev team missionaries, I realized that I have exactly 2 weeks left in Ukraine. First reaction: ACK! Here's what my calendar looks like, and also my to-do list.

Friday May 27 and Sat May 28: Track Meet. I've been helping with the middle school track team, and this is the second and final meet of the season.

May 27: Dinner with Cliff and Heike. The last time I will have dinner with them at their home here in Kiev before they move. The meal will include one of Cliff's notorious peanut butter, banana, and mayo sandwiches -- I promised him in fall 2008 that if I ever came back to Ukraine, I'd try one. Now, I have to uphold that dumb promise. We're also going to play Scrabble, and they're going to talk to me about a possible ministry opportunity for next year.

Sun May 29: possibly going to the baptism of 4 KCA students, 3 of whom I've taught. I just found out about this tonight via Facebook.

Tues May 31: ICA small group Bible study? I haven't decided about this one, but I know I should go to say goodbye to people I know I won't see again next year. (Part of being a missionary means you have to say goodbye a LOT more frequently, and you have to learn to do this in healthy ways.)

June 1, June 2: Administer semester exams to my classes: 6th gr math, 6th gr Bible, geometry (76 questions, but they are multiple choice!), pre-calculus

Friday June 3: My brother's birthday!!! Also, the last day of school and graduation. Cry because I will not see these seniors (whom I have taught both years) again for a long time. Say goodbye for the summer to the rest of the students.

Sunday June 5: Last Sunday at Kiev First Church. Say goodbye for the summer to everyone there (Zena, etc.), plus this will most likely be my last time to see Heike. :(

June 6: My roommate flies back to "the America."

June 8: I leave for America

To Do List:
*Show Amy what's packed up from my old apartment, so she knows what we'll have
*Pack things that we won't need till next year and get some help to take it to the new place
*Pack things for America
*Clean the house one last time, rearrange things as needed
*Finish the books I'm borrowing from people
*I'm sure there are other things, but my brain is going to fry if I keep thinking about what still needs to be done and how I have so many goodbyes ahead of me.

PART TWO....will be in another post.

Longer Days!

2011-05-21T20:37:00.000+03:00

I'm at a loss for why Ukraine already has longer days than Maryland, and it's not even the summer solstice yet.

Kiev, Ukraine
Sunrise: 5:02am
Sunset: 8:48pm

Crumpton, MD
Sunrise: 5:46am
Sunset: 8:15pm

During the winter, the days are EXTREMELY short, and there is not much sun. If there's any sunshine in the day, it's hidden behind the clouds.

To give you an idea of how little sunshine I've expected here, I'll tell you how much sunscreen I packed: 0.85 ounces, all in sample size packets. My roommate and I will use it tomorrow at the church picnic in Obolon.