I was told the first day but, I had forgotten so it wasn't bother me; Apparently there is big snakes kicking around where my apartment is. Poisonous. After hearing about them all night, I find myself darting through the walkway, and watching my step. Shiba.
I've been getting into wearing tight shirts, to hold my stomach in. Is that a Hernia Ryan, or are you just happy to see me. Shiba. wakeboarding, and Arial maneouvres, and then bumps on my stomach that are making my feel a bit nervous. It was settling down not bad, but then I had to run in the rain. I guess I could have walked yesterday to meet the lawyer. In Panama it's culture to dress well to show people, especially authority, that you respect them. Imagine another few minutes in the rain, in that meeting with lawyers. Could I have felt like anymore of a kid, when talking about starting investing money and starting companies. Sorry Fernandez. Next time in panama, I'll remember my shirt and tie.
Most things are cheaper here. Like if you buy import, well it's a bit less then I would say something in America would be. If you buy local like 50%. For example. Heineken, 1$ comapered to 40cents for local. I've been having some good feeds here thanks to other foreigners who have been kind. Is the new joke going to be, "feeding Ryan". I hope so. My stomach would sure be appreciative of that. Wait, maybe that lump isn't from wakeboarding.
I didn't really do much of anything today. Mostly random yawns, and research. I'm like 1 day a way here from planning my trip up North. I'm probably going to go to Bocas Del Toro or David. Flights are cheap around the island here. Like 40$ one way. It would be like the equivalant of flying Edmonton - > Calgary. Hotels for 10$ a night, and days at the beach, in the place where they filmed Survivor Panama. Um as soon as you show me the dotted line, I'll sign. Nolan, you can have the laugh, I've borrowed the Lonely Planet Panama, and we'll be becoming mates here. Here I'm just writing Kenna to get some advice on how to use it. haha.
There is funny ants here. Alot more impressive then your average ant back home. I tired washing one down the sink today for about a minute before he finally gave up. There is this funny little Panama plaque that I've been using to sqaush them with. whoops.
I don't think I can say that I've ever gone out in Edmonton by myself. 80 cents later and I've done it a few times here now. Just hop in a taxi for a $, and say disco, or Calle Uruguay, I haven't had any bad cab experiences. Normally they are really good, like the last time, the guy drove me around down town helping my find a place that wasn't dead. Well it was Monday Ryan you monkey. Tonight when I say salsa I'm not talking about something I had on my soft taco's for dinner (thanks Grace). I'll probably be from Belgium tonight. Parlais vous le Francais?
From top: Le Chateau, Guess, and Adidas, It's bawling. And what about David Beckham. I keep running into him everywhere. Propoganda Galore, between Pepsi and Adidas, and who knows what else. I'm starting to get a bit concerned when I keep seeing you on posters with Destiny's Child. You've already got a Spice Girl. Now I know that Brad Pitt just did it, but there is no need for you follow in his footsteps. I guess people like football here or something? That's soccer to you. Bloddy America. What makes more sense? Soccer being called football, or football being called soccer. hmm.
So Sadness, it's a relateable topic for me. What about these:
"We enjoy warmth because we have been cold. We appreciate light because we have been in darkness. By the same token, we can experience joy because we have known sadness. "
"The walls we build around us to keep sadness out also keeps out the joy."
"I love my past. I love my present. I'm not ashamed of what I've had, and I'm not sad because I have it no longer."
At 2 cents a minute to use this dial up connection I better hurry up. Wait, ryan, your writing this offline. whoops. Then looking at my watch I realize it is quarter to 11, and then that I'm hoping to make it to Avenida 5 a sur at a decent time. That's Senor Frogs, Panama. Franchising, yeah; there is a bit of that here.
I think my favorite new thing is "Poquito Denaro", but even just simply "Buenos", and "Salida" are up there.
There is a funny mold growing on dishes in the kitchen. After last night I feel like my last name should be north, and I'm making the same meal as last night minus pollo, plus con carne. I have never seen rice boil that fast. I've also never felt this way about life before. I'm going to enjoy extended battery life and journal from the living room. I've gotten into pretending to not know english very well around here. I can pull french off, and it makes people think stupid foreigner, rather than stupid american foreigner. I'm at survival spanish, and I hate getting ricied by Latin America. My hopes are that Rosetta and I will get along quite quickly so that I can make use of myself here. Today has been Cruisy. Before I probably woke up at noon, I had about 3 wakeup calls between 9-11, randoms. I'm still in my underwear and already I've made appointments with Lawyers, and planned English lessons for the day. I'm going to use words like productive. English Classes, then Grocery shopping, then running in the rain to catch up with the lawyer. It was no 51(congratulations on the seaon's best Nolan), but I was doing what I could in sandals, and with a strained muscle in my stomach. Could I have felt like anymore of a kid. Here I thought I was just going to meet up with a friend of a friend who happens to be a lawyer, to get some advice on business in Panama. Next minute I'm soaked, and inside a conference room, with two guys wearing suits. whoops. What is it that they say about assume? ass out of u and me? that's for another day. If you asked me why there was a pan in the garbage, I'd swear that I wasn't this bad of a cook in America. I'm not even sure if it's the humidity or just the fact that I'm feeling a little Darryl today. Dinner was good though. I've been making some interesting feeds lately. Also getting into frozen mango juice. I would almost suggest running down to your nearest store right now to try it. You'll be happy you did. I'm going to have to think of something else than research if I want to go out tonight. Actually Pegs not. I'll stay in. Poquito denaro. I guess I could say that I'm getting free spanish lessons. wait. free. Start using words like Poquito, and noone wants to talk to you. Are those green colored contacts your wearing, and why to they have $'s on them. That's america too, so don't get excited. I've definitely seen some weird things. They don't compare to what's happened in America, and don't pretend that you have virgin eyes either, because we all live in the same world For 20 cents here, you can buy these little bottles of Coke, or whatever your beverage of choice is. It's about 1/2 the size of a regular can. It's perfect. I'm thinking of standing in line at Mcdonald's, and being asked about supersize. Has she been watching me shower again? Na, but think about the meal. It's already more than we should be eating, and for an extra 89cents, we get enough food to feed a small family. Thinking it's a steal, we'll eat it all, and consider buying a mcflurry. I've finally gotten over my cold here, but now I've got Darryl to worry about. Feeling good though. I remember in Hungary, the humidity got the best of me, and I was useless. Here I don't even feel that inconvenienced by it. Looking forward to more time outside actually. That's Bocas Del Torro ringing my doorbell. Salida
Your the same person that had me holding foreign hands last night. Was it you that wanted me to, or was it me that asked her to dance? Na, you can't try to tell me that I saw this coming. Here I am, in over my head, and you just keep justifying it for me. I'm looking at my operators liscense and you know what is going through my mind, you know that if I wanted to I could pull it off. You can stop looking double-faced at me. You know that I can't decide. -------- Ryan. Who is Pixi? Is Jen really your girlfriend? Why did you keep telling that girl last night that you were in love with baseball? Why is your Visa maxed? And why are you spending your last 50$ to re-book your flight for tomorrow? - It's a funny thing this life, and I know that as soon as I get home, we're going to have to sit down and have a talk with eachother. You'll be looking at me straight in the eyes, while I'll look the other way. Actually I'm not coming home tomorrow, and haven't touched my visa. Except for you It was a good night. Getting around in Panama with you giving me looks and making me feel vulnerable. I've got a clean visa, but you in Panama City can do that. Crossroads; And we're a funny breed. Especially you in America. Then you start popping up all over. Canada, Belgium, New Zealand, Panama. We're all the same. And I know you; Before you even think about it, you would argue. You've always been like that. I don't want to feel good about it, but I'm not sure that it's my responsibility to feel bad about it either. Why should I? I don't really want to play your game, but your not giving me a choice. What one part of me desires, part of me fears. If simplicity is all we think it is, why are we all working so hard to lead such complicated lives. We're afraid of being alone. It's tv, it's msn, it's gossip. Is that part of us Fate or Chance? Was the apple? What about you? All the things that I just thought about. Do you think I could do them all? Not enough time, or badly managed time? Do we die when we are born? Talk to me for a moment about Credit Cards, Bad haircuts, and Slk's? One minute kids, next minute kids. How does Alrya fit into this? You took her. Does that answer your question?
This is life isn't it. One minute rejection and next minute confidence is kicking somewhere in Bocas Del Toro. If there is one thing that I've learned is that he's not going to split from his vacation just because I could use him down here in Panama City. This might be a funny solution, but I think once your at this mark you have to fail until the point that it doesn't bother you anymore, then when the right moment comes along and you succeed, you grasp it, like Eminem keeps telling you to.
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Weird days today. Was picked up this morning by Allison, and we headed out to check out some sights, and other miscellanious goodies. Thinks like banking and the Canal were in store. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to manage everything with my setup here. I have alot of plans, and things that I need to get done here while in Panama, but when your arms are being pulled several different ways at once, it's hard to pick a direction. Pick one, Ryan you monkey. you can't mess around with several different things and do them all well. That reminds me off Tony Hawk and Mince pies. wtf?
I got a really good glimpse at the 'shanty towns' that exist in Latin America. It's hard to explain, but like being in another world. Just think national geographic, and SPCA. nothing but picturesque, and stray animals. It's actually really beautiful, in a funny sort of way. So much culture in these relocating zones. Apparently these might be the non-tourist 'friendly' zones that you might think of. Dangerous? - Well I'm not exactly running down the street in a pink thong am I? Actually - When your white as socks. Wait in Greg's case that wouldn't be very white. um. how about the sandy beaches in Del Toro. and you've got orange hair, and don't speak spanish you tend to stick out a little bit. Sticking out as an american in poor places of the world, normally isn't that desirable. Another thing to add to my dartboard.
After driving around here, and starting to gain some coordinates for where I am relatively in panama city. I'm looking into rental cars. Making the most of these times, is what life is in a portion about. Some might say it's about fast cars and big houses, shoot there is one more thing to add to my dartboard. I'm having trouble fitting it on there.
It's interesting how events from the past come up from inside, at funny moments. Like what really triggers them, and why does my alarm clock keep going off? Grasp the opportunity. ok Slim, but can't you at least relate
Visited one of the two main shopping malls today. ( I already worked part of the other one last night). The malls are pretty crazy. I've discovered today that I have a bit of a shoe Fetish. Nolan you can have jeans. Shoes. Think about walls full of Puma and Adidas. It's paradise for your average shoe lover. More shopping: I guess Panama has the largest shopping street in the world. Before meeting some people today, I got to walk down a couple blocks of it. I would have expected it to be a bit more touristy for it's status, but it wasn't. All Latino, All the time. That sounds like some sleezy telephone line.
new topic. I've decided that I'm going to flirt with Rosetta Stone over the next year here. I just haven't decided what language to do it in. Spanish is high on the list, but Russia always does well at the Games, so should do well here, and.. French is the language of love. so. He'll take French. or maybe just the love part.?
French Love and Church down the street tomorrow morning, is really make me realize what I have to do here. Alamo? do you speak English. Darn. Budget. shiba. Dollar. yup here I am. Real Estate agents that do rentals? That or just try to talk you into over-priced apartments. Dial up internet with inter.net. Might as well be in the villages. In america, and even in the Ukraine actually I swore that I could never live without high-speed. It's amazing how well me and my modem are getting along these days. 56k's. Wow. you are sweet. And before I look up driving directions could the world realize that I'm not in Florida!
Mostly negative, so I would even start with the rest. hahaha. whoops. Good days of touristing, and bad nights of journaling. Ryan, why are you dreaming about Green S's? With all that's in my mind right now, it's a good thing I'm only 50% of Josh, and then 0% of that. Actually that kind of kicks me in the nuts everyday.
After I put my groceries away, and hooked up the internet in my apartment I was feeling pretty good. However it wasn't until I used the bathroom for the first time, that it hit me officially. Right now I'm in Panama, only blocks away from the Panama Canal.
Today at the time:
I've heard alot of different reports about Time Travel, and whether or not people think that it's possible. I'd like to ask them what they think about me just gaining an hour when I landed.
I'm sitting in the George Bush airport(Houston, Texas). Who decided that, that monkey should get an airport names after him. Actually he can have it. I'm ricing these people filming eachother with a camera as big as my backback. Only if it's HD can they get away with it. I'll have one soon enough. I will. Edmonton to Houston was the best flight I've been on. Running on three hrs of sleep and nyquil from the night before I grabbed a row of seats in the back, and crashed out for the whole flight. Pretty hard to beat that. That also means that my powerbook has full battery charge, so i've got plenty of articles and journalling to do. America is pretty funny. The same, except now people complain about Gas prices in Gallons. Despite the righteous flight. The landing wasn't anything that I want to duplicate. With plugged sinus's My ear's we're adapting to the adjusting air pressure, and they felt like they were ready to explode. After blowing my nose a few times in succcession they went. First one, then the other. I was trying really hard not reveal the pain I was going through, as sometimes you start to get self-conscious about stuff like this when your in a little compartment full of people.
I'm listening to the news. Apparently girls that eat breakfast have lower body fat then those that skip the morning meal. This is especially true for those who eat cereal. This incredibly right where I'm at. Leaving the land of Supersize, and checking out the lineup, where already tanned skin and and "I'll eat from the lighter choices menu" are appearing. Wait I don't speak spanish.
Sandwiched between to Panamanians is something that I think I could get used to. I should use the word's "sitting between" as after all we're not in America anymore. These two flights have so far been some of the best that I can think of. Edmonton to Houston was 4 hours, and Houston to Panama is four hours as well. That's long enough to get into the flight but short enough that it doesn't start to grow on you. I'm looking forward to learning spanish here so that I can get rid of one of my sore thumbs.
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So far Panama is as I expected. There is alot of options, which will get sorted out over the days to come.
I wrote a journal late into the night the last time I went on a trip like this. If you remember. That was Ukraine. This is a completely opposite part of the world. I'm excited. can't you tell by the look on my face? Oh wait. you can't see my face.
Before I go on. Do you think that the mentality behind Credit Cards, is the same mentality that we have as Americans, with marriage. Leading us into some pretty phenomal statitics for Divorce?
I started planning this trip about 6 months ago. There was a lot of time in there, where I wondered. Would I even go? What was I going for? Then when Greg did the impossible and boarded a plain to go work in the Carribean, I felt like a bit of a monkey and bought my tickets.
I do hope that God has a plan for me, and this time that he'll let me in on it. Not being in on things like that blows. One minute you've got things made, at least by your standards, Then the next minute God decides to do some manoeuvres and you wind up 180, and a bit upside. Is there a name for that? I'm going to sound like Nolan if I go on here so.
My reason for choosing Panama originally was for it's developed, and "Tax-Haven" status. Mix in nice weather, and hopefully not american supersizes, and you've got my attention. After alot of research into the Carribean Area, even a bit of Europe, I finally decided on my first love. Well. Panama. Andorra was pretty tempting as well. Any country sandwiched between France and Spain sounds pretty good to me.
I've got some slack recently for Panama, and alot of questions like why? Why? is a boring question, Pegs not answer that one. Hassling me about Panama being a pretty monkey place to go, make sure that your no confusing Panama with Colombia. Colombia being the most hostile country in the world, and panama being the number one place for Americans to retire for the past 5 years. I don't look like the type of guy to smuggle Coffe Beans across the Colombian Panamanian boder do I? Now I know Josh wants them really bad but he's going to have to talk to someone else.
I've got more batteries to charge then any other trip before. It's funny having an array of cords in your hands, and then thinking that in less than 12 hours, all of those cords are going to be plugged in, in another part of the world. You wee cords are such world travellers.
In Panama, I'm going to be a full time missionary, full time tourist, and full time expedionist - sp?. Amidst trying to get married. Na just because I'm canadian, my name isn't John, and I'm not in Donestk.
I've made contacts with I.M.B. in the area of Panama City. Everything that I'll be doing sounds well within my comfort zone. Mostly english related. This time not directly though. more just going through Tesol notes, and teaching others how to teach esl. I guess fsu has a campus in Panama City close to where I'll be staying, which is an area that they are working in.
We've been back for two weeks now, and apparently I'm the only one that remembered about these wee journal updates that are filling up everyone's mailboxes. Last one. An important one though!
Important. For several reasons.
For example: We've been talking for months, or weeks anyways about video updates. Here it is.
Now if your thinking viruses. Don't, Silly. This is a church website. oh boy...
There is tons of video from that trip, thanks to Victor. And also thanks to Victor for putting together that 20min video compilation from the trip for our team to share with friends and family.
As a quick followup to the video part above. Please contact me with your mailing address and let me know your address if you are interested in receiving a dvd with all of the media from the Ukraine. If not 95% of it's kicking online here, ( minus the extras :P )
We are all really appreciative of all the support that was given towards our team throughout the entire journey of the Ukraine 2005. We thought a video would be the best way to show you what we got up to, and to say generally just a huge thanks.
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Just talking to one of my friends that was in Africa all last year:
Alot of times you have to experience something new, or see your life from the outside, to really understand it, and to know where you want to go with it.
I would never convince anyone out of travelling a bit, and experiencing the world before they start to make life deciding decisions. How can you really know what you want, when all you know is what you've always known?
What does that mean for me? Well I've got a trip planned to Panama for three weeks next month, Where I am again in contact with IMB missionaries in the area. I will be a volunteer for them, getting into whatever I can, just like the Ukraine.
Maybe I will be that type of missionary that Nick always talked about. If doing what the Tapestry Team did in the Ukraine, is something that interests you, visit the IMB website. There is plenty of information and contacts all over the world. I don't want to sound like I'm trying to sell the IMB. That's not what it is about. More the idea that any trip that is about other people and not yourself, is one to get involved with. In fact that's a pretty good way to live life at home as well.
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I've enjoyed journaling here, and keeping everyone involved in my journies. This Journey is over, but life, it doesn't stop here.
I wanted to keep something going so I created a site, much like the one I made for my brother a year ago (he's in Korea). Although it's not completely finished, it's time to pull back the curtain.
There is no mailout for updates; at least not yet. If you liked it, and actually if you didn't like it as well, please let me know, and I will go with that information when finishing up the site.
I got ricied today really bad while journaling. By accident I pressed a link in my browser and next minute you know I'm viewing Calgary weather, and lost my entire journal. That is not bawling.
Again from the top ..................
I just finished putting up all my digital photos from the trip. There are a couple days of pictures that I don't have. I do have the other 10 though and a few hundred photos online. Definitely have a look at all of these as they will give you a really good idea as to what it was really like in the Ukraine
Thursday July 14th I got a bit behind with journaling the last few days so I will start by playing a bit of catch up on here. Today it feels like we have a routine going in the Ukraine, which was more than I could say for the first week. With having a set schedule everyday as far as the English school days were alot more structured. I would usually wake up around 10, quickly polish some breakfast. Even get a quick work out in on the park at DCU. When Kent would pick us up we would either meet some our students like Victor and Trevor did today, or Kent/Rachel would take us out shopping for a bit. Today the rest of the group kept pretty relaxed and did some english planning at Kent's before our lessons.
Lessons went really well again. Today I gave as review and as an open class for questions. We did alot of vocab of things around the house, and clothing items,etc. Bible study was on the Bible, which went really well again. The last hour, the games hour, is always alot of fun. Games and songs. It's always funny to get a random group of people singing songs, and playing games.
By today all of us were really comfortable teaching our classes, and with our students. The two relationships that I felt really grew, were the one between us and our translators, and the I.P. team. Both of these two teams were a huge blessing, and a joy to work with. I look forward to staying in touch with both of them and hopefully even getting back over to work with them again.
After Class we always go out for dinner as a group, to vedge out a bit, and spend some time reflecting on the day. We went to Yo-Mi-Yo which is right on the river(well more like water reserve). It's a very nice place. Big grounds all around the main building which is like a big lodge. There was live music inside, and a huge patio around the outside, which is where 95% of people were sitting. Since we were a big group(12) and the patio was full we were inside, which was nice and relaxing. The food was the best we had eaten since been in the Ukraine. Very good quality and the service was expentional which is rare for that part of the world.
Friday July 15th Last day of english lessons. The day started off again like usual except for when Rachel came to pick us up today, we went to another Market. That was alot of fun. I bought some socks and a pair of sunglasses. Today was a really good day for me to get to know Trevor, as we walked around all day together. I think we were all a bit exhausted from walking and the sun, but after polishing a burn, and a meal later we were ready for our english lessons.
Today being the last day, I basically left the whole class as open. I was very tired so I'd admit that I wasn't quite as enthusiastic as I would have liked, but the class still flowed well. Victor and I taught about Jesus today as a closing to our bible lesson. The whole week had been geared towards this day, where we our hopes were that substantional enough relationships would have been built that the students would carry on with I.P. once were gone in future bible lessons and english clubs. With the survey that the students did we found out that more that 70% of them were interested to keep on with both studies. That was an encouraging number for all of team tapestry to hear. The last hour today rather than being games and songs, it was more of a lesson based hour. Victor started the hour of by giving his testimony. A song and then Natasha(I.P.) Gave her testimony in Russian. Another song. Then my testimony. I was nervous burgers for this prior to getting up there. I don't know why. I guess it was more the anticipation and the tiredness of myself that was behind these feelings. Anya my faithful translator was with me, and I gave what I would say was my best testimony. The most relaxed and all from the top of my head.
I never realized until today what it really meant to me and to them to be sharing these parts of my life with them. It was a really good feeling.
Although we would see them at the bbq tomorrow morning. Today was a big closing for alot of us with our students,etc. It's amazing at how well in a weeks time you can get to know eachother.
We went to "The Three Fat Men" Restaurant which is just across the park from the community center where we were teaching. This was a big group. 20 of us, with a couple students, I.P, Kent, Translators, Tapestry... I wasn't a big fan of the Pizza, but talk to Victor and you'll receive another story. Say it's sausage, and Victor will eat it by the... anyways, he'll enjoy it.
Saturday July 16th Last full day in the Ukraine. And a good one at that. Met all of our students at 10am for a picnic just of the river(well more like a reserve,ricies).. Spent alot of time getting to know some new people that were there. Like Olga's daughters. Those two. Kids are kids no matter you are in the world. Sometimes not being able to speak the language makes for some interesting situations, but good thing there mom is a translator.
Alot of ball, Lunch, some songs. We had only planned for the picnic to go until noon, but it was easily 2 by the time we were out of there. We walked over to Marina and Natasha's apartment where we had a debriefing time with the I.P. Team. These were some really special times. We spent some time prayer walking with them to wrap up our time together. Back at Kent's flat we spent a couple hours there debriefing with Kent. It was about 6 now, and Kent thought before supper that it would be appropriate to take us out for another adventure.
So he dropped us off about 10 minutes away from his house by the Amstor, and Mcdonalds. Two teams. Same teams as the market day, and we had to race back to his house. Food/taxi, anything. I flagged down a taxi right away, and needless to say we made good timing. We told our driver the biggest landmark we could think of near Kent's, and just pointed from there. 15 Greiven later, we arrive at the same time as Kent. Victor, Cerena and Linsdey were along a few minutes later. If I say we got ricied for supper, would you understand what I meant? Lets just say the food was incredibly below average, and our server, was dead like I'd never seen anyone before. What a night to end of the Ukraine. That night was our good bye's with Rachel and their two kids, Tessa Princessa and Sam Sam. It's actually hard to beleive how good Kent and Rachel were to us, so it was sad to not be able to give them more of a thanks then we did, but I know that they know how appreciative we were.
Back at DCU, I spent my night playing chess with Trevor and Nick. Ryan always goes undefeated 7 games in the Ukraine. After Packing, and shower and bed.
Sunday July 17th This is the longest sunday of my life, and early mornings come, well early. Our flight left at 9:30am from Donestk. That was a smooth flight, to start our travelling off, with a couple hour layover in Kiev. Even that went smoothly. Next minute we're on a flight for 10 hours heading to Canada. Even that went smoothly. Lack of communication, and tiredness, and temperature made for an interesting time in Toronto. We couldn't get onto a standby flight, so our layover was scheduled for 3 hours. With a day of delayed flights, being late in the day the flight we were scheduled on, was affected, and it was already an hour later by the time we boarded the plane. Now trust in Air Canada to give you problems at the end of a long day travelling. It's almost midnight now, but with the 7 hour time change, we were feeling pretty below the grid. Once on the plane, we sat for about 20mins, and then the Pilot comes on to give us an update that it's only going to be like another 30 minutes as they give the plane a tire change and a few other things. The plane started getting really hot as they had to remove to cooling unit for a bit, during repairs. That was not bawling. Flight left, and was a nightmare from elm street. Not that once in the air, the flight was really that bad. Just bad service, uncomfortable ride, and tired. We did though finally arrive in Calgary, at like 2:30 am. Our team of supporters I guess started large, but slowly weedled down until there were 4 left.
That takes me to today. I'm glad to be home. I finally got to sleep at about 5am last night, and not being able to sleep in today, is having it's effects, but I'm holding out. I am right? I'm going to finish up this journal, and come back in a couple days to give more of a follow up as far as reflections in the aftermath. After all it was only 8 hours ago I was struggling on that last leg from Toronto.
There have been alot of funny emotions going around in the Ukraine. Alot of really neat things are happening with our ministry which is keeping up busy in the times that Victor and I don't have our boxing gloves on. I'm not going to go into detail on events as Victor has done an excellent job on journaling the specifics of all of the things that are going on over here. Here is a link to his Journals: Victor's Journals I was hoping to be the journal king, but with a laptop Victor has assumed the position. Like I mentioned the first couple days I felt like tourist, We visited alot of really neat places, like a monastary, and some smaller villages. We attented church in a village outside of Donestk on Sunday. It is a new church plant. It was exciting to see the similarities to the church plant that I am involved with in Calgary to the one's that are here in the Ukraine. We've had some bawling Ukrainian meals at our hosts house. It's a good thing I'm good at Rock Paper Scissors. Only ask Nick and Trevor that sleeping on a floor without carpet isn't the most comfortable thing in the world. Sunday Night 8 of us crammed into Kent's car and drove the hour back to Donestk to get ready for our intro night for our English class. The English class finally makes sense to me now. When we were in Canada I think we all thought that we were going to be teaching english at the university that we were staying at. That isn't the case. What has happened is that a team of International Partners,(missions), got together and advertised through posters and word of mouth to put on a week long english school at a community centre here in Donestk. These are students of all ages, well young adults+. They have all levels of English abilities. We have 3 hours with the students each day, which is divided up into English Lesson, Bible study and Fellowship. Many of these students have never heard the Bible before, and they are interested to hear. Already through our Minisitry at the English school, and help in other area's like the Tent Ministry the first day we arrived, we have seen people come to Christ in their own lives. If we were to leave today I would feel that God has used us, and that our trip has been worth it! Throughout the week though we will be building relationships with our students, with the hopes these relationships can continue with the International Partners, to work into a bible study or even church plant once we are gone. With this we are all learning how effective English is as a tool, to communicate the Gospel. We are building really awesome relationships. This experience is really helping to grow our team as a whole, and also as individuals. We've been thrown out into alot situations that wouldn't be part of our normal lives; Things like sharing our testimony in front of different churches, and explaning why we are here. Teaching english, and even the bible study. It's been really hard for us to work meda over here, as computer access is limited for digital camera's etc. All of those big updates will come once we land in Canadia. We did however manage to get up some short introduction videos, which are linked below: Ryan 1Ryan 2Ryan 3Ryan 4Ryan 5Ryan 6CerenaLindseyVictorTrevor & Nick Hopefully those will work for everyone, otherwise we will get them up as soon as we get back. Spasiba. God Bless. Ryan from the ukraine
