A Special Trip

I took a little trip last week (since I had a couple days off from class for American Thanksgiving) and although I didn't take many pictures, I thought it would be a good opportunity for a blog post.

Waiting at the вокзал (train station) in Kiev for our train to arrive.

I went to the train station via маршрутка и метро (taxi-bus and subway) on my own - and I had no problems with boarding once the train arrived. I boarded around 9:10 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 20 and we pulled out around 9:25 pm. I was very hot on the train - Я была очень жарко на поезде - but otherwise it was fine. I even had a little bit of sleep. I interacted a little -- in my limited Russian -- with the ladies who shared the train berth with me.

Daryl Porter and our friend, Victor Dantsev, were both at the station to meet me when I arrived at 6 am the following morning.

We did some shopping after breakfast and I had a little nap in the afternoon before Curtis, Tanya and Vika arrived to take me to the orphanage with them. This was the first time I had been with the team during a regular visit to the orphanage. Some of the boys were familiar to me -- I had met them last June -- and so that was exciting!! I did not understand very much, but I was glad to be there.

Thursday was a nice relaxing day -- I did some studying and some reading and enjoyed visiting with Daryl and Molly Porter, who hosted me for the 3 days I was in Krivoy Rog.

Getting ready for a game of Dutch Blitz at the orphanage.

On Friday afternoon, the team picked me up again to go with them to the orphanage -- this is only one of the orphanages where they have opportunity to be involved. This time Janna and Roma joined us -- two of the young people who have been impacted by our team's ministry and want to be involved.

This time, I understood a little bit more, and we played a game of Dutch Blitz (which just happens to be one of my favourite games). I was also able to give a bag of knitted toques and mittens to the kids which had been sent to me just the previous week by a friend and supporter. It was fun to see their excitement!!

Going to the train station in Krivoy Rog for my return trip.

After supper, Daryl and Molly went with me to the train station for me to return to Kiev. It's dark so you can't see it too well, but the building is beautifully designed. It was very cold outside, so the temperature in the train was a little more bearable this time.

I slept a little better on the way back, but still not very soundly. But I was very glad for the time away and the opportunity to see my friends again. Am looking forward to going back during the Christmas break.