(Above photo: Mayor Anatoly Romanovich welcomes those who gathered for the Monday night lecture in Starry Lysets, Ukraine).
The first full day of Dalraida’s work in Ivano-Frankivsk dawned cool and crisp. The group met and enjoyed a good breakfast and then divided into groups for the morning’s activities. The group that was assigned to spend the morning at the schools in Starry Lysets left and arrived on time. They were greeted like celebrities. The school had prepared a special program to welcome them and some children had handmade book marks that were given to the group. The classes went very well and the students promised to be at the evening classes starting at 6:00 p.m. The group had lunch at the school and then returned to join the entire group for afternoon actions.
Those who were left had several tasks –to buy whatever supplies could be found for the craft sessions at the evening’s classes; to meet with a group from the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operations). Those activities went very well and we anxiously waited for the Starry Lysets group to send news on how things were going in the village. Volodya called later saying they were on their way back and that the day had gone very well. That call was a great relief as we really had no idea what to expect.
When the group returned they excitedly reported on the activities and told us that the village priest had been at school and had even eaten lunch with them. Our study is on the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. The theme is how to have a happy village. We selected the text and theme specifically for this situation and it seems that it was a good choice.
All first timers from America are very impressed with the history and amazing culture of this area. I wish they had time to go and experience the wonderful environment of the many villages that have opened their arms to us as we work with them in our mission activities!
After regrouping we went to School #23 to deliver school desks that had been shipped here and the brethren had reworked. The school has 1,500 students and 110 teachers. We have helped this school with other shipments and the Principal and staff are wonderful. We were greeted as the truck arrived bringing the desks. It started raining and we were hurried inside and taken to a classroom. The Principal greeted us and then Johnny & Scott spoke. After that there were several questions asked by the teachers to the Americans about their visit and impressions of Ivano-Frankivsk. It was a delightful time of visiting.
Following the end of that meeting we went back to the office flat and then left for the evening classes in Starry Lysets. Some wanted to walk back and as we went we stopped at the Lviv Chocolate Store and BJ had his first tastes of Ukrainian “hot chocolate.” This is not hot cocoa. It is literally melted chocolate. BJ, Billy, Nick and Scott were amazed at this treat.
The evening classes went EXCEPTIONALLY well! We had 25 in the children’s class, 18 in the teen class and 22 in the adult class. The Mayor greeted us and said he was sorry that more had not turned out but the time for the classes was not good. He pointed out that at the end of the work day the people have to go home and collect the cows, feed the pigs and other animals and by the time they finish these chores the time is gone. So it was suggested that we move the time to 1:00 p.m. and have it at the school building. This will give potential access to 400 students. Plus there will be the teachers and administration workers, and even those working in the village hospital will be able to attend. So this development offers a wonderful opportunity for us to discuss how to have a happy village!
All are doing well. A good number are tired and showing the impact of jet lag but all are enthusiastic and eager to do whatever they can. The Americans are thoroughly enjoying the hospitality and culture of western Ukraine. Billy has begun Ukrainian language studies with Oksana!
Tuesday brings us more opportunities as Johnny, Scott & BJ speak at the Law School and the English classes in the village school will continue and then our revised lecture/classes will be at 1:00. Following the actions in Starry Lysets we will regroup and visit Ugorniky. This is the village that gave the land for the church building. We will visit the school there and then look at construction!
Pray for our efforts as we continue this trip!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
You must be logged in to post a comment.