Joy, Jubilation, Jetlag

JOY---being with my sister. Seeing her life, how she lives, loves and laughs. I now can understand her struggles, her excitement, her heart. JOY--because I've learned so much about myself, my cultural dependances, my limitations. JOY--because I see God working in totally different ways than I ever thought possible AND the people I met! The ones that left everything to serve, the ones who lost everything to believe...the ones that have nothing but hope. JOY-- to see the Black Sea, and to see my son's face when he caught a jellyfish and to see the bond my first born and my best friend have although we are million miles apart. The JOY overflows having spent 11 days with my sister and my son :) (and bro-in-law).


JUBILATION--The laughter we had! We attended a traditional Ukrainian birthday celebration. The lady turned 70 and she ENTERTAINED us. The guests came prepared with a toast and we are 'instructed' to drink to the toast. If you don't it's offensive. After 15-20 'toasts' naturally, dancing is next. Please watch the video to the end---and you will also feel the jubilation Isaac felt! We had so many laughs I'm not sure what else to post!

JETLAG began on our train ride from Crimea. Tammy and Matt live on the southern most part of Ukraine, in the big penisula known as Crimea. The Capital of Ukraine--Kiev is 18 hours away by train. So we took a sleeper train all the way. Isaac loved it, but I was so worried he'd fall off the top bunk I didn't get a wink of sleep!

Then of course we had to get on a plane for 10.5 hours....when we got to NY- our plane was delayed and we had a layover for 9 more hours. We didn't get home until 4 am! after traveling for 24 hours---jetlag was a very familiar feeling! But I would do it again for the experiences we had!

A couple other major highlights: First--My time with the orphans! OMY--- I can't even describe it. I have cried a lot about it, and I feel so helpless. I just simply pray. One thing---Tammy is making an AMAZING impact on the little lives that otherwise wouldn't have anyone.


Secondly is how amazed I was at the progress Matt is doing on the house they are building. He's doing all of it from bottom to top. This picture doesn't do it justice---but I'm so excited. Especially because the people they are ministering feel so connected to them and trust them. Way to go Matt!

When Matt and Tammy dropped us off, Isaac started to cry, he said "remember a long time ago when I got hurt and I tried not to cry?" "yes, baby what is it?" "I'm trying not to cry and I can't help it" He said it all. The bittersweet goodbye, knowing I won't get to wake up and have breakfast with my sister for a very long time, knowing that she and Matt will press on doing God's work without me beside them, It was sad....but so rewarding!

There are SOOO many things we did! So many people we met! So many lessons learned! If you have a minute I'll tell you! Thanks for your prayers and financial support! It was so amazing to encourage the most amazing missionaries I know!