Apartment at 79 Artema Street
En route apartment to Metro
Soviet Era Theater
Service Center
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Getting Settled
Temporary Apartment
Soviet Era Theater
Market next to Metro Station
Lukianivska Metro Station
Soviet Era Theater
Monday, October 25, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Getting Set-Apart
Here are a few of our children's families the morning we were set apart.
Brad and Kyle Kempton
Lorin and Morgan McWhorter
Michael and Tiffany Kempton (Reese, Cash, & Carter)
Steve and DeeAnn Schenk (Connor, Kailee, Jake, & Crew)
Scott and Shirley Kempton (Camberlee, Mckinley, & Nicholas)
Brad and Kyle KemptonLorin and Morgan McWhorterMichael and Tiffany Kempton (Reese, Cash, & Carter)
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