A Long Week

This past week we started our blog. Mostly, I wanted a different way to relate our life in Kyiv to those who support our work here, a window into our world that the monthly prayerletter just isn't able to be. So we have this blog. We'll try to post here weekly. If our camera holds up, we'll try to often post pictures. We don't plan much political commentary and much pontificating as is the bane of many blogs. We'll just tell a few stories and occasionally reflect on life in post-revolutionary Kyiv. Also, I hope to share a bit of what we are reading and thinking and some links of interest.

This week was a rough one for many people. Last Saturday night we were shopping in one of the huge new grocery stores that are mushrooming all over Kyiv. We had just bought a partially damaged teapot for Lena’s pregnant sister Ira (we are always looking for bargains) when someone called with news that Jonathan Shaub, a former intern, had been hit by a truck in NYC. Surreal is not the word. Disbelief is. When we came, we had several emails giving a scanty picture of what happened. Apparently, Jonathan’s life was in danger and they thought at one point he might not make it. The family brilliantly started this blog to let those concerned know what was happening. Through that forum, all week we have followed his very fragile condition.

Many in Kyiv love Jonathan immensely. Many were noticeably shaken by the tragedy. Our cell meeting Tuesday prayed many prayers for Jonathan and his family. We spent the rest of the time making a huge card for him. The Thursday group did the same. Friday night many people met at the church building to make an album for Jonathan.

Also this week, Sergiy (the UEC manager) and Lena were sick. They are actually still recovering. Thus, I took Lena’s place at the UEC reception desk, a place I am little accustomed to working in. I did get to see, though, more of who comes to the Center and their interests. We have a broad base of patrons. Videos, CDs, English study books, fiction, business books, Bible study books. A little bit of everything is checked out. One guy came in and very loudly proclaimed “This place is a gift from God!!” A stranger he met on the street randomly told him about the Center, and he was elated to find our CD collection.

We also had our second Soup Group this week and discussed some of the more difficult questions: how can a good God send all those people who have never heard of Jesus to hell? Is there such a thing as fate or destiny? We had about 10 first-year students.

Friday afternoon Ira Rozhenko announced her decision to be baptized on Sunday. We are delighted.