More translation help from Youtube

This has to be the funniest...somewhat offensive...Youtube video in reference to translating!

Enjoy.

That's easy for you to say!

меня зовут клинтон, я из Америки, штат Мисисипи. Сейчас я изучаю Русски язык. Потом я буду работать в Киеве. Но сейчас я не знаю где я буду работать.

That's not much of a "speech" or testimony...it was probably the shortest of all the students. It was a cool event though. It was a fellowship/testimony event for the whole language school, particularly for everyone to get to know the first year students. Some performed skits (that were really good), some taught a short Bible study or shared scripture.

Afterwards we enjoyed a meal together and after that several of us stayed around for some English language worship time. Me and a guy from Texas helped lead that time. John is a superb guitar player; it was really fun to do that with him.

Pictured above is my class (l to r) is Mark Canada from Indiana. He and his wife Charlene are missionaries with SEND. He's a practicing attorney, really bright guy! He read a full page thing he wrote about a favorite song. Mark & Charlene will be providing Pastoral Care ministry for pretty much all the Russian Language speaking SEND Missionaries. They'll be great at that! Next to him is our very patient teacher Galina. As soon as she senses that we've "got it" she moves right into the next thing....there's no slowing down. She's pretty strict but she is patient and has a great sense of humor. Then again, I can see where we as a class would be a great source of humor! When I can't quite get a 'sound' right, she'll look at me and just keep repeating it and so will I. But I usually get tickled doing that- like the scene from the Pink Panther where Steve Martins Clouseau character is trying to say Hamburger. I think she's seen the movie and gets the reference! Bruce McKay is a Canadian Artist. Among other things he wants to teach Russian speaking adults and church leaders how to teach children using the Arts. And then there's me.

Six Weeks Exams...just kidding.

Has it really been six weeks of classes already? I'm in my 6th week. And I think I have a Six Weeks Exam this week. Well, sort of. We're having a fellowship-type event this Thursday. I guess all the first year students have to share...in Russian... a very short testimony. Funny thing...one guy- Mark the practicing Attorney, has a whole page to share. Bruce the artist has a paragraph. I have about 3 short sentences. I asked my teacher today if I should add to it but she said no- that's plenty for me!! In English it amounts to: "My name is Clinton. I'm from America, the State of Mississippi. Now I'm studying the Russian Language. Afterwards I will work in Kiev. Right now I don't know what kind of work I will do." And by golly I can say it in RUSSIAN!! I was also asked to lead some worship in English afterwards.

This past week was sort of eventful I guess. Not really...but. I finally found a street vendor that sells Shaurma. It's a wrap sort of thing with yummy grilled chicken and potatoes inside with cabbage and peppers and sauces. Was a bit pricey at $1.50!

My buddy Darrell carted me around one day to shop for and buy a small TV. I brought my Playstation with me so now I basically have no need for relationships or getting out of the apartment. If I can figure out how to order Pizza by phone, I may never leave.

Classes last Tuesday were cancelled due to flooding (broken pipe) at the school. I ended up tagging along with Darrell and company all day as they (Darrell and some of his IMB staff) hosted a Banquet for some of the Ukrainian young adults at church. One of Darrell's newest guys was in my small group at the IMB Candidate Conference in Richmond last July! Anyway, we cooked (actually, Darrell cooked and I entertained and was entertained by...his kids while he cooked) Chili with all the fixins. There was a lot left over so I ate Chili and Chili Mac all week.

What else? Oh, I got to meet and have coffee with a couple of fellow blog stalkers. Two girls that have lived and worked here in Kyiv for some time now. We all sort of discovered one another through our blogs before I ever moved here. Was nice to actually meet them and I'm looking forward to getting to see more of what they do here. Emily, among other things, leads worship at the International Church (English Service). I'm gonna try to go to church there next weekend. Michelle works with street kids among other things.

So here I am in Week 6. And I have homework to do (between winning World War 2 and the next Mississippi State Football game on Playstation!)

Week 2 Begins

Quite a week.  Quite a roller-coaster.

I wrote already about my first day of class.  It was terrifying.  The rest of the week wasn't much better but what can you do?  You have to have a good attitude. . . and a sense of humor.  Of course I'm going to be completely lost.  It's RUSSIAN for crying out loud!  I now have a total of 10 hours of classroom instruction.  Give me a Russian dictionary and I can probably figure things out. Is that amazing or what?  I'm like a first grader. . .at the beginning of the year no less . . . but I can sort of read and write in Russian.  Crazy.

This past Wednesday (my day off from school) I joined most of the IMB guys here for their weekly prayer breakfast and I stuck around for a training session they were doing comparing Catholicism and the Orthodox Church here.  There are about a dozen college-aged short term (4 months) and 2 year missionaries here right now; most of them just getting ready to start their ministry.  So it was fun to meet them and some other ministry leaders.

Friday after class, one of my classmates and his wife (Mark and Charlene) treated me to dinner at a local restaurant and homemade Apple Pie at their flat afterwards.

Oh, and I got to visit with my friend Lori for a few minutes on Thursday I think.  I've known here since my trip here in 2006.  She's in Poltava working with orphans and was in town for a bit the other day.  I  might get to see her again this coming weekend.

Yesterday and today I slept late.  I skipped church this morning, but I did have a really good devotional time and worship time of my own (I bought a guitar yesterday!).  Today I ventured out into the beautiful snowy day to get some groceries.  So far, eating has been cheaper than I originally budgeted for.  I've probably not spent more than $40.00 since I got here.  And my guitar was less than $90.00 too.

Sigh.  The roller coaster.  It has been.  Thanks to those of you that have emailed me, facebooked me or commented on the blog to encourage me, and thanks for your continued prayers.  I need prayers to be disciplined in my homework and to have an eager and good attitude in class.  I need prayers to be bold enough to start trying to actually speak the language (this is really hard for me.  I can write a mean blog but I can also go a few months without talking to anyone without really trying- I'd make a good hermit).  I still have some issues back home that are ... not far from my thoughts.  I'm not here to run from them; I'm here to keep moving forward rather than sitting still and waiting.  I appreciate your prayers for my unspoken prayer request.