Thursday, August 27, 2009

Settling In

After a week and a half of being here, I feel like I've already readapted. 
And after a week of having only what i took with me in my carry on, it's great to have my bags. Nothing was missing, and nothing was damaged. Andrey (pastor) and Pasha(andrey's brother) are so excited to have the new projector which Ada was able to purchase. I'm sitting with Pasha in the studio now helping him figure out how to use it.  

A huge thanks from Greenway to Ada for the Projector. This is a huge blessing. 

I found a great flat yesterday and today I met with the owner and discussed details and payed her. I'll move in on Monday. I'm excited to be able to call this place my own home. I pray that God will bless this home, and bless everyone who enters it's door. (photos to come) 

Everyday i feel like I'm constructing new, and improving old relationships. I met with a guy named Igor last night, and we sat outside my house and spoke until two thirty in the morning. He's not a christian, and he really has no interest in becoming one. (He enjoys the life he's living now and doesn't want to change it.) this is an extremely common case in Ukraine, and a barrier that is very difficult to overcome. None the less, the Kid has a great and open heart, and I think that forward motion can be made with him. 
Pray for Igor. 
Pray for Ukraine. 

Love and Peace to you All!
-alex

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Arriving Home

Stepping off of the airplane in Kiev on Monday afternoon, I inhaled deep through my nose. It smelled like body oder poorly covered by cheap cologne with a little hint of potatoes. It was an extremely welcoming scent for me. And I couldn't have been happier as I wandered into passport control only to stand in line for close to two hours and to find that my bags were in fact still in Detroit.... Kind of a bummer, but I was stoked to be on Ukrainian soil again. 

The first few days here have been pretty busy. I'm taking care of a sick Pastor Andrey, as well as meeting with as many friends as I possibly can to catch up on what I missed out on this summer I dove head first into band and worship band practice. AND the search for a flat has begun! I'm currently living at the Mission house where I lived for the majority of  last year. It's been a pretty easy re-adaptation for me. 

I decided to start a list of "How not to look like a tourist while in a foreign country" So I'm going to try do one addition to the list each time I post. 

RULE NUMBER ONE
1. No matter how concerned you are about the contents within your carry-on and or back-pack, Never ever ever EVER strap your BACK-pack to your CHEST. 
I would not recommend this for a few reasons. 
First reason, You look completely ridiculous. Some may even say "idiotic." Also this allows potential thieves to understand that there is something you find valuable in your bag that you don't want them to have. It will immediately mark you as a target for when you let your guard down. And believe me, you'll let it down sometime. 
So Shall it be Written, So Shall it be (not) Done. This tom-fooled attempt at security is a big no-no. I don't care if you have the entire contents of Fort Knox in your bag, If it's strapped to your chest, you're simple making a poorly fashioned request for someone to steal it from you. 

I'm never going to stop asking for your prayers. God is Great. 
Love and Peace to you all!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Thanks!

Thanks for you're interest and for checking out the blog!

I'm packing my bags right now for what seems like the 100th time this year. I've got the system down pretty well by now!

I'm leaving for Ukraine on Sunday August 16th. I plan to be there for the majority of the year. 
I will be serving a church called Greenway Church in a city called Vinnitsia. 
This will be my second year in the working with the church, so I already know the city quite well, and have many close friends. 
I feel that this is where God has called me for the time being. And with the way things have been working out this Summer I have no question that these feelings are true. 

I need your prayers. 

This Blog isn't going to be a daily update, because frankly not everyday is worth hearing about. This is more of a way to keep you all updated on what's happening in my ministry and in my heart over the course of the next ten months. 
Thanks again for checking in. 
Love and Peace to you all!