Day 10 has come to an end for us. We had a great day today and I think, a profitable study this evening with the brothers and sisters that make up the church here. Earlier this week, we mentioned to you about how these guys got in a quarrel over taking Kipp and I on a tour of Mariupol. When things ended on Monday evening, there was an awkward silence as it was clear Valentine had made all the ladies mad with his stubbornness in insisting Kipp and I accompany him on foot without our translator as we went around Mariupol. On Tuesday and Wednesday evening, he was much quieter so we figured that his wife Galena set him straight (in a good way, of course).
When we walked in tonight, Valentine instructed Galena to give us some envelopes where we could have Vera translate our addresses into Russian. He wants us to write him after we go home. He was afraid that if the address was written in English that he would not receive the letter. (He is under the impression that the Mariupol post office doesn’t have a translator, etc.) The ladies in the room told Valentine that a letter addressed in English would have no problem getting to him, and he began to argue. And so,...for about five minutes they all tried to explain to Valentine that there would be no problem. He wasn’t buying it. Kipp caught a little of their exchange on video. Galena finally got it across to Valentine when she pulled out an envelope from Kipp, sent a few years back, that was addressed in English. After this, Valentine realized he was wrong. He quickly passed the buck however, when he said, “She (Galena) is always hiding things from me. This is the first time I’ve seen this envelope.”
It was with this scene that I opened my lesson on relationship responsibilities and the need to be forbearing, compassionate, and harmonious with one another. I started the lesson from 1 Peter 3:8-9, taking each word in the verse and discussing what it means. They all participated in the discussion and after covering these verses, I moved into the need to become better listeners. Finally, I told them that the things we had studied to that point were embedded in the principles of humility and love found in Philippians 2:3-4 and Romans 12:9-13. I think this lesson stood out in great contrast to what had been transpiring before the lesson began. We have the impression that such quarrels are a regular occurrence. And, while we all quarrel from time to time, it is important to learn that they should not let things progress to the point where feelings get hurt and grudges start being held.
Kipp and I ventured out of our hotel this morning and walked to the center of the city and walked through some shops. It was really funny when a clerk would come up to ask if we needed any help...or at least I think that is what she was saying. We would smile and say “Nyet Ruskie..” and then I said, “We’ll be back.” They just looked at us and off we’d go to another shop.
The weather this afternoon was by far the best we’ve had in Ukraine. It was warm and clear (at least on our side of town). The cloud of smoke from the steel mills blanketed other parts of town today so we had a clear view out our window.
Thanks again for your prayers and kind words. More on Friday!