The Departure of The World Race (for lack of a better title to describe what I've been up to all month)

The last of The World Race teams left Ukraine Tuesday. The four teams that were in Odessa and Lugansk began arriving last Thursday. So for the weekend all 8 of the January 09 World Race teams were in Kyiv for their monthly debrief. You can learn all about their month of ministry in Ukraine by clicking "Blogs" and "Blogs by Group" and "January 2009" at The World Race website.

From all that I've heard, I think they had a great month of ministry. Three teams worked with ministry friends in and around Lugansk. Some of them taught English and lectured in classrooms. Some of them visited orphans throughout the month. The team in Odessa was met by a Ukrainian friend that led to a great month of relational ministry among University students. Teams here in Kyiv also taught English and ministered alongside Ukrainian University students. Some of them worked outreaches to Drug Addicts several times a week. Some of them worked with street kids. They made friends that will last beyond their brief time here.

The last night was pretty memorable. We had rented an apartment where two teams of girls had lived for the month. Most of the teams left town on Monday, but 2 or 3 teams couldn't leave until different times on Tuesday, so we put them all in the apartment that was already paid for.

So...Monday- right after my language class- I went to a local Ukrainian Baptist Church to host a Coffee House Ministry for some IMB friends that were out of town this week. Not long after arriving at the Coffee House, one of the guys at the apartment called to tell me the Police were there, asking a lot of questions and threatening to confiscate their passports! Apparently a suspicious neighbor called- what with all the loud Americans coming and going.

I told them to bow up as best they could and try not to let them leave with the passports. If all else failed, to appeal to be taken to the US Embassy and to write a "Ticket"...but not to pay a Bribe...and not to give up the passports! The closest thing to a "charge" was that the apartment address was not the same as the address listed on their Immigration Cards.

Fortunately for the team, one of their Ukrainian translator friends was nearby and arrived in just a few minutes to help communicate with the Policemen. As I understand it, I think the scene got pretty heated but in the end, it was agreed that the Police would not take the passports but that one of the team members had to appear in court the following morning.

So...on Tuesday morning Tim Dixon, his friend Galina and I went to the Police Station. I stayed outside and prayed...we didn't feel the need to introduce a new character to the play at that point. A few minutes later, Tim texted me that after the Police finished writing their report then they would go see a judge. A couple hours later, he called to tell me that the Judge read the report and concluded almost immediately that there was "no crime- case closed."

Prayers answered. Adventures had. Blogs written. Another day in Ukraine.

I mentioned that some of my IMB friends were out of town this week on a Retreat. So, I've been house-sitting/dog-sitting for one of them. The apartment is really nice and comfortable. Staying here this week really worked out well for me since my usual abode- a Ukrainian friends Ministry Office/apartment- has been really hectic this week because they are hosting a major conference this weekend.

So...that's October. I have been originally planning to return to Mississippi when this school semester is over in December...but due to cash-flow issues, I may be home the week of Thanksgiving. I should know for sure in a few days.

The Return of The World Race in Ukraine

(Racers just after arrival at Kyiv Train Station)

At the end of last month more than 170 World Racers from 4 different squads, along with a 20-30 WR Alums and current Coaches and Leaders converged in Romania for the 1st Ever WR Awakening Conference. The immediate aftermath of the conference was sort of like a team breaking huddle with everyone motivated and re-energized to make their next play.

The January 09 (H Squad??) began arriving in Ukraine this past Wednesday. I think it was a week ago tonight (Sunday) that I started getting emails and FB and Skype messages enlisting a little help on this end.

Here's how God provided:

There were 8 teams (52 Racers) arriving in Ukraine in less than a week with really only 1 firm ministry lined up that would accommodate 2 teams. They pretty much had no ministry lined up and no place to stay.

I guess the first thing I did was to send out a FB Message to all of my Ukraine contacts- American and Ukrainian alike- to enlist help in finding them a place to stay and ministries to partner with.

(Some of the Racers at St Sophia Square)

Proportionately speaking- I didn't get much of a return on my investment...but a handful of folks jumped on it. One really sweet "God gift" was that I was chatting online with one of the girls who was a translator at camp this past summer. She's a University student in Odessa named Natalie. She told me she'd love to help them. I made the recommendation to Squad Leadership and the next thing you know there's a team heading for Odessa... still with no place to stay and no ministry to work with. But Natalie was there (after a short delay and some confusion about which Bus Station the team was at) to greet them. She found them a place to stay the night with a friend. The next day she helped them find an apartment for the month. She's connected them with a group of her friends that will essentially be the core of their ministry to college students this month. Thank you Lord.

Two teams were already committed to go to Lugansk and work with my YWAM friends Forrest and Darcy. Between my emails and Squad Leaderships' inquiries for ministry partners, another acquaintance in Lugansk agreed to take a team. Thank you Lord!

That left 4 teams for Kyiv. The WR had very fruitful ministry back in the Spring with CCX- a college student outreach of Intervarsity. We thought they'd be a good partner this time too, but we had not heard from them. The other day after the teams arrived I made one phone call and the next thing you know...we're connected and at least 1 team is set to go. Thank you Lord!

I have been a Facebook "Fan" of Ukraine Teen Challenge for months but I had never met the folks that run it. When I was looking for partners last week we finally connected...which led to a meeting the other day...which led to connecting one team to work with them this month...AND...Teen Challenge found affordable housing for the team as well! Thank you Lord!

The first Friday the WR was in town, I connected them with another friend that ministers to AIDS Orphans. So this past Friday I think 3 of the WR Girls joined her for that ministry at a local hospital. Thank you Lord!

(Art on St. Andrews Street in Kyiv)

My friend Oleg answered the call to house a team...offering to rent them a garage/studio apartment within the very limited WR Budget. Thank you Lord!

My friend Darrell moved out of his old apartment last week but managed to get the lease extended a month to allow two teams of girls to live in the apartment this month. It's crowded...but it's home! I thought we would have to pay them in advance last Wednesday night. I was going to cover the Racers until they could get some cash...but when I went to an ATM, my card didn't work. I was nervous, but offered up a quick prayer and God answered...at the meeting with the landlords and Attorney...they said they didn't need the money for a couple more days. Thank you Lord!

So...the WR is off to a great start in Kyiv. They all have somewhat affordable housing. Most of them have very solid ministry lined up for the month.

It's been fun for me to "show off" my city. Helping the Racers get acclimated and helping them find ministry has affirmed my heart for this place, for these people. The downside is that I skipped 3 days of classes so that will be painful beginning tomorrow. But since I won't be working camp later this month, then I guess it's okay that I missed most of this past week. I did keep up with most of my homework! One upside was that I got to use my language a good bit and enjoyed feeling like a genius while helping the Racers get around!

Another big help the last few days has been the presence of another "Camp Interpreter"- Vika (pictured below). She's been in Kyiv this past week and was great helping me help the team. Thank you Lord!