Thursday

Another busy day. It was Constitution Day in Ukraine so the UEC was closed. Thursday night was one of my last official acts as a missionary. Several of the church leaders and the Nivki Church preachers gathered at the Zhyvovi's apartment for a blessing and commissioning. It was a final meal for us together and I went with a traditional American theme since they eat plenty of Ukrainian food. They seem to like my cullinary adventures and oddities. Even those who have not been to America have grown to enjoy something a bit different. So we had the Fourth of July theme--potato salad, baked bean, hamburgers, cole slaw, fried squash and zucchini, and a homemade apple pie. "Aunt Tanya" also made a Ukrainian dessert. Topped off with fresh cherries. My mother-in-law helped with some cooking at the UEC. We have spent quite a bit of time together. Yesterday we hung out at the Christian bookstore and ate supper together at a Ukrainian cafeteria. But Lena and Polina were sick today so they didn't come with us. I did save a piece of pie for her. She has a particular keenness for apple pie since the Granny Smith apples remind her of apples she ate many years ago in a small village west of Kyiv. It had been many decades since she had experienced this flavor and smell. Who knew that her American son-in-law would bring it back?

Oleg came and helped finish some things at the UEC and then we headed off for the Left Bank, a long metro ride. I then raided a supermarket there which had everything I was looking for--a miracle, basically since that never, ever happens. They even had Cola Light!

So we finished cooking at the apartment and I shared with them about the importance of shepherding the flock, of caring for one another, of protecting the flock, of leading it to new spiritual places, of empowering every believer for ministry and service. I then presented each person with a book and we prayed together. And then had the pie and other desserts! It was a long night. I got back to the UEC about 11.30. Lena was feeling some better.

Now, I have been emailing all night. I have an unexpected meeting at 11.30 tomorrow and hopefully we are going to fully move out of the apartment and turn over the keys.

I am currently struggling with how to say good bye, how to say good bye to Kyiv. This place has been a part of my life since 1992. Actually, since the summer of 1992 almost all my efforts have always been to somehow figure out how to get back to Kyiv. People have come and gone. But Kyiv remains. Fifteen years later it's so odd trying to realize that Kyiv must find a new place in my heart. Would you pray that God would help us as we say good bye? I have yet to figure out how.

Thanks for reading!

We believe in God the Father
Maker of the universe
And in Christ, His Son, our Saviour
Come to us by virgin birth
We believe he died to save us
Bore our sins, was crucified
Then from death he rose victorious
Ascended to the Father’s side

Jesus, Lord of all, Lord of all
Jesus, Lord of all, Lord of all

We believe He sends His Spirit
On His church with gifts of power
God, His word of truth affirming
Sends us to the nations now
He will come again in glory
Judge the living and the dead
Every knee shall bow before Him
Then must every tongue confess

Jesus, Lord of all, Lord of all

Name above all names
Name above all names
Name above all names
Lord of all

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