It has been quite some time since my last post but not for lack of notable experiences or encounters. I have spent the last days of my far-too-short trip in the best of company and have been too enthralled in conversation and washing dishes to post anything.
As we sat down to eat one of many perfectly prepared and thoroughly enjoyed meals in KP I looked down the long table at my new friends and knew an overwhelming feeling of joy and immense appreciation for the countless privileges and blessings that have been mine this past month. At times there were just over 40 of us gathered around to feast, but on this particular day I cannot remember exactly how many we were - I was only dumbstruck. I now have friends - dear friends - in at least 8 countries: namely from Ukraine, but now in Romania, Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands, South Africa, Ireland, and Australia. I was speechless.
I am tempted to try to sum up my month here in a few paragraphs but I know that is futile. So I will just write some of the impressions that I am left with of Beautiful Ukraine....
Ever since I was a little boy and had heard stories from Trude about this place I had it fixed in my mind that Ukraine was a gray and bleak place. I could not imagine why anyone would want to leave America to live there. On my first day in this country we walked around Kiev and that preconceived misconception was obliterated. And every day for the past 30 days that bleak and gray Ukraine was pushed farther and farther back into distant memory. I have never seen a more beautiful place nor been in the company of such lovely people as I have witnessed here. I have a country full of new friends whom I love and a new favorite spot on the atlas. I had been excited and ready for anything sitting in LAX a month ago waiting for my flight, but Ukraine and my adopted family here far exceeded my expectations and I am left with such deep gratitude towards them.
We were in a town called "KP" for the last week where we were fed 3 times a day from a never ending source :) I spent more time with the young people here and even met a young man visiting from Belgium. In the evenings a few of us walked the mile to the river that winded it's way through these endless emerald hills and we talked and laughed and I just stared off into space listening to their Ukrainian wishing so badly that I could understand them. Sunday came far too quickly as it always does at these particular venues and I dreaded the time to leave. After getting some good direction from the basement of the home, the crowd stood outside and we all began to say our goodbyes. I managed to hold it all together pretty well as I shook hands and gave hugs but as I sat in the van and watched my new family waving and smiling saying "Come again! We'll miss you!" tears welled up and rolled down my cheeks. *sigh* I knew this would happen. Our hired driver looked at me funny a few times, wondering why on earth this guy next to him was crying but he soon concentrated on diverting around the potholes and forgot all about his teary passenger. I was very thankful for Uncle Don's company and conversation to keep my mind off the sadness of leaving, but soon we were at the bus station where we split ways and said a few more goodbyes. From here Trude and I our South African friend took a bus across the beautiful countryside one last time and landed in Kiev once again.
As I sit here typing it's hard to fathom that I was in this exact place only a month ago posting my first blog and excitedly talking with Trude about all of our plans for the month ahead. It's difficult to believe that we did so much, were able to meet so many people and build new friendships in these 4 short weeks. I'm so thankful that I was able to come here and that I have my Aunt Trude here. Now I finally understand why she's here: this country is full of wheat fields and they are turning gold. It's harvest time. I now know why she loves Ukraine because now I do, too. I can't wait to come back.
