My month in Ukraine was a lot but in the best ways. I grew so much this month and I processed through a lot if passed hurts. I loved being in a place with familiarity. While the people were not familiar I could talk to them about home and they knew exactly what I was talking about. In this month I struggled with homesickness the most and I was blessed with a family that comforted me through that. I got to participate in ministry that brought a smile to my face. And I got to celebrate Thanksgiving with the biggest Turkey I have ever seen!
(The beautiful Thanksgiving meal we got to enjoy!)
(This is the home of an amazing family of both Americans and Ukrainians! They hosted 90 people this Thanksgiving! Including 3 of our World Race teams!)
This month was a true blessing and as the end was creeping closer I started to mourn a little bit. I loved being in Ukraine and I could see myself stying for another month there. When our last few days had come I knew I would have to start saying my goodbyes.
On our last night the ladies on my team decided to have a girls night with all of the women we had gotten to know throughout the month. We wanted to bless them and spend our last night with them. We put together activities and prepared food. We got to have a nice evening with them. It was so nice seeing the relationships we had made and yet I was sad that we had to say goodbye that same night.
(The group of amazing ladies we got to know during our time in Ukraine. There are many missing but they mean so much to me and I hope to see them again one day.)
The next day, we woke up early packed up the last of our things and loaded everything into the car to get to the train station. Our goodbyes to our hosts had to be quick, since our train was about leave without us. While I liked our host from previous months, this was the hardest goodbye. I loved our hosts and it hurt so much that I couldn’t hug them goodbye and tell them how much they meant to me that month. I wished I could have told them how much I appreciated how well they loved me that month and how welcoming they were the second they met me. I learned so much from them and I know I will see them again.
My month is Ukraine was not what I had expected but it was what I needed. The Lord knew what I needed in this season and it was perfectly timed. I felt so comforted and seen that month and while not everyday was sunshine and daisies it was precious. I loved that month and I would go back to Ukraine if I could. I continue to pray for Ukraine as this next season continues. I loved my time in Ukraine and I looking forward to what the Lord has for both myself and that country. I encourage all of you to pray for Ukraine.
Bonus Photos!
(This was an In-N-Out style fast food place. My hosts and a few members of 2 teams drove 1.5 hours in the snow to get to this place so us Californians could have a burger and animal style fries)
(Just a little California girl enjoying the snow)
(Our host Katya is an amazing baker and cook! She is teaching some of us how to make gingerbread cookies!)
Sounds like this was such a great month for you. What awesome hosts! To host Thanksgiving for 90 people? Who does that? Plus, since I like to cook and bake, i think it is wonderful that you got to make gingerbread cookies with your host. Thanks for sharing a cozy, homey month with us.