A history lesson

Today was a wonderful day for many different reasons. As some of you know, but many of you don't, I received my Bachelor's degree in Russian and Eastern European History last May. Today, Vova's father Volodya, decided to share with me and our group about the history of Ukraine, especially the area of Trans-Carpathia where we are. Volodya is on the far right of the picture, and is probably somewhere around in his 50s. Misha is standing next to him - he is 75. The conversation began with Volodya asking where I learned Russian. As you can see, this question led to a gathering of many members of the team and a history lesson that I could never have received in any classroom. It was truly amazing (and Ukraine must be heaven, because that's where I felt I was today)!! At the end, Volodya asked if I would be returning next year with a team to check on the progress of the building. As Volodya seems to really be a man of few words, this whole experience will hold a special place in my heart for years to come. Hopefully, this is a relationship that I will be able to continue through this mission experience. However, I will have to polish my language abilities in the next year!

That's a mighty big fish you're talking about, Stanley Max!

Once again, digging trenches for the foundation. Delicate Stan managed to end the day without a speck of dirt on him! How does he do that? But, Volodya has said that it's a good thing that the backhoe didn't show up - otherwise, what would we have Stan doing all day? Idle hands make mischief, you know...

We finally got some work out of Penny today too... She thought that she was some sort of supervisor! Of course, it is a full-time job keeping Mike (aka Studmuffin) under control...

Lunch today was pretty traditional fare - borscht, chicken, noodles, and these yummy cucumbers and tomatoes! Vova's mom is an excellent cook, and is keeping us well fed! For dessert, we had grapes that had to be fresh off the vine... I've never had anything like them!

There was much more that happened today - Pam, Helen, Penny and I went on a home visit to one of the members of the Perechyn church with Vova. The husband has a problem with alcohol, and the wife has asked Vova to help her get him back in the church. This is a common problem here, as alcoholism is rampant among men of all generations. I believe that they felt truly blessed to have Vova and us in their home, and were more than willing to share their lives and their home with us, as well as their goat milk! That's right, Pam and Helen (brave souls) drank milk straight out of the goat! How does that VIM prayer go again? Where He leads me, I will follow; What He feeds me, I will swallow, right? Truly tested today...

More to come tomorrow, even about today, but it's almost 1 a.m. here and Susan and I are plum tuckered out! Time for sleep.... Love and kisses to everyone!