Enjoyable Weekend

Friday, 6-10-11

We took the day off from the office to celebrate a most enjoyable anniversary.  Arising at 5:30 am we started the day off attending the temple.  Such a beautiful structure, serene grounds and an interior of simple elegance.  The spirit was strong and we felt privileged to be there.

Returning home we spent a relaxed mid day, each doing a little bit of work but with no pressure.

At 4:00 pm we enjoyed a wonderful early dinner at a very nice restaurant downtown.  The atmosphere was quiet, the mood pleasant and the food delicious.

We capped off the evening by attending a 7:00 pm concert of the National Philharmonic Orchestra, in an old classical building with gorgeous chandeliers and ornate interior decorations.  The music was breathtaking.  The first two sections were classical and performed to perfection.  The third part was music from West Side Story, adapted for a philharmonic orchestra.  It was fun hearing familiar American tunes.

Saturday, 6-11-11

            A quiet day, some work at home but mostly relaxed.  Went grocery shopping and on our walk back home about noon we had a most unusual experience.  Three policemen walking toward us stopped and told us we must not go on but must go a different way.  At first we wondered if they were just harassing us or wanted a bribe.  But one of them who spoke passable English pointed up the sidewalk and said: “Skin heads, very dangerous, you must turn away now.”  We looked and saw a large group of about 50 not quite 100 yards up the sidewalk.  They were chanting and waving banners with swastikas.  Immediately we turned 90 degrees and walked a block away.  As they passed by we could tell even from the distance that they were mean and boisterous.  Following behind them were five more policemen.  Only then did we realize the policemen were doing their best to warn and protect the public.  Later a friend of ours confirmed how dangerous the skin heads are and how they regularly killed foreigners.

            After dinner we watched a movie at home.

Sunday, 6-12-11

            Typical 45 minute trip to church on a Marshrootka bus # 439.  Wonderful meetings with exceptional talks and lessons.  Came home and had David and Annabelle Hyde over for a green chili chicken enchilada dinner.  He is a state department employee at the American Embassy and has been serving as branch president at the International Branch where we attend.  They leave this coming Wednesday for home in the US for the summer and then on to their next post in Kuwait City.

Monday, 6-13-11

            A national holiday, part of Trinity weekend connected with the Orthodox Church, so the Service Center was closed.  Another nice day, some work at home but mostly relaxed.  The weather cooled to highs in the low 70’s so we took a leisurely walk.  It began raining lightly which only made our stroll more enjoyable.  Watched another movie at home after dinner.

Tuesday, 6-14-11

It was hard going back to the office today after a great four day weekend.

The Wives of Decembrists (December Men)

   In the winter of 1831 a group of aristocrats in Russia led a rebellion against the Tsar.  The uprising failed and those involved were arrested and sent to work camps in Siberia.  The wives of the rebels felt such compassion in their hearts and loyalty to their husbands that they sold what valuables they had and followed their husbands to Siberia.

  This example of love and loyalty is remembered to this day such that when someone demonstrates those qualities, one might remark, “Oh, that is like the wives of Decembrists.”  So it was on 5-25-11 when I attended a legal conference at the InterContinental Hotel in Kyiv, Ukraine.  The small group at our table was getting acquainted during a break.  I described my responsibilities and related our experience in Africa.  I was asked what my wife did.  I explained that she traveled everywhere with me and then related the experience in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania when I hurt my back and she went to the Annual General Meeting of the Church legal entity there and conducted the meeting for me.  When I finished describing how she went alone in a taxi with a perfect stranger, met with five other black African men and returned with everything done and every document executed perfectly, one of the ladies at the table audibly drew in her breath and exclaimed, “Oh, that is just like the wives of Decembrists.”

Back in Kyiv

No delayed flights, no lost luggage, here safe and sound, well almost sound, we are both so exhausted we are walking zombies trying to stay awake till bed time to try and beat jet lag.

Ukraine Law Schools

Robert (and Igor, their driver) on the way to teach at the Kyiv Mohyla Academy, a prestigious law school in Kyiv, Ukraine.

February 2011

"New experience.  We flew from Kyiv to Simferopol, Crimea this morning, and

1.      No delays, missed connections or re-routings

2.      No lost luggage

3.      Apartment here is nice, electricity is on

4.      Wireless 3G card works, hence this email

5.      Our phones both work

6.      Cable modem tomorrow so Vonage will work

We had a late lunch, early supper with one of the best meals we have ever had.  Homemade rolls, borsht soup, chicken breast filet baked in a batter with cheese and apples, fried potatoes and onions and dumplings with cherries inside for dessert.  Soooooo tasty.

Getting settled and ready to teach law school tomorrow.  Will teach twice in three law schools over the next two weeks, and try to keep up with work early mornings and evenings.  Hope to make it to Yalta and the South coast of Crimea on the Black Sea sometime."

Getting Settled

Temporary Apartment





 Apartment at 79 Artema Street

 En route apartment to Metro

 Soviet Era Theater

 Market next to Metro Station

 Lukianivska Metro Station

    



Service Center

Friends

Steve and Lorraine Swift, Tania Davign

 David and Chelom Leavitt

 Walter and Diane Park



An Incredible Story

Monday 10-11-10
Walking home from the metro this afternoon, the sidewalks were filled with people as usual. Most Ukrainians will not look at you, much less respond to a greeting. A young woman in front of me was walking a little slower so I went around her. The light at the next street turned red, stopping me just as I got there. The young lady caught up with me and stood at the curb. When the light turned green I crossed the street and walked on. The light at the next street also turned red just as I got there so I stopped again. The same young woman caught up with me again before the light turned green and I walked on. For the third time I was stopped by a red light and again the young lady arrived in a few moments. I walked over, determined she spoke a little English and asked the name of the cross street so I could pinpoint our apartment on a map. She told me and was very kind and helpful.
We visited as we walked the last half block to our apartment, and then for a few minutes in front of the building. I learned her name was Armine, that she was from Armenia but has lived in Kyiv since she was four years old, and that she just finished at the University and was looking for a job. I told her where we were from, that we had just arrived and that my wife was with me. Before I could tell her why we were here, she offered to help us anyway she could, especially with us not knowing the language. She then mentioned a large celebration in about a month and that she would send us the information. We exchanged email addresses and phone numbers.
The celebration she mentioned was related with Hanukkah, and so I asked if she was Jewish. She said no, but that she had friends who were Jewish Messianic. I said, do you mean Jews who believe in Jesus Christ. She said yes, they accept the new Bible. I told her I did not know there were Jews who accepted Jesus Christ.
She had a bright countenance and smiled with her eyes and I told her that despite the overcast day, she provided sunshine. She related that many foreigners comment that Ukrainian people rarely smile, which is true, and so when she saw someone who was smiling she thought probably they were American.
Then she surprised me by saying: “When I saw you in the street, I had a feeling inside that we must talk.” She tapped her forehead with the heel of her hand and continued: “I said to myself, no, that is impossible. But I think when this happens it is not an ----------." She paused, searching for the right word in English. I suggested: “It is not an accident.” She said: “Yes, it is not an accident. I think we will meet a second time. I would like to meet your wife.”
She needed to be somewhere soon and started to leave, so I told her there was a reason we had met; that I had a message for her and when we spoke again, I would tell her what the message was. She walked away smiling giving the impression of being content and peaceful.
Tuesday 10-12-10
I sent an email to Armine, expressing appreciation for her helpfulness and that I looked forward to introducing her to my wife and giving her the message I had spoken about, reaffirming that our meeting was not an accident. She responded that she would be very glad to meet again, be introduced to my wife and that she would call on Monday when she got back into Kyiv.