Hello!
We had a great Sunday, spending time worshipping, eating, and enjoying the hospitality of friends. It was good to be out and about again after we spent most of Saturday here at the hotel.
After worship, Vera, Kipp, and I went to the Goose & Swan Restaurant. It’s a good place to eat and more economical than the place at the hotel. Why is it called Goose & Swan? Well, its based on a Russian fairly tale about a witch, a boy who the witch tried to eat, and a girl who had to come save him. Can’t remember exactly where the goose & swan fit in, but anyway it’s a great place to eat. (We’ve had Vera try to explain this fairy tale to us twice already...and still don’t understand...) The waitresses dress in traditional Russian clothing and the place is really decorated nice. They fix a chicken plate that is really good. And believe me, about the only thing we’ve been eating at the hotel restaurant is pork....so chicken is a delicious alternative.
We also ventured out to the central market. I have been wanting to pick up a gift for Emilea and Zack and we thought this might be the place to do it. Walking down the unpaved street next to the market, with the vendors lined up on both sides of the street, gives me flashbacks of Algodones, Mexico - just S of the California/Arizona border. You can find just about anything and everything you want at these places. Shoes, clothes, personal hygiene products, fresh food, supplies for your home, you name it...it’s there.
We spent some time with Vera and her husband. They are such a great couple and look to be very happy. Andre works for the local university as a physical ed teacher/trainer. In fact, a couple of Andre’s guys are currently trying out to represent Ukraine in the Summer Olympics in Beijing. Pretty cool, huh? Andre has completely remodeled their flat and it looks really nice. We spent about an hour with them enjoying the hospitality and warmth of their home. We left there thinking that it would just be wonderful if we could get this couple interested in the gospel - as they would both be a tremendous asset to this church. We’re doing our best to plant some seeds, make a good impression, and hope our work will bear fruit down the road.
After leaving Vera’s we came back here to the hotel, where we spent the evening watching movies and relaxing. It was a great weekend for us. As we now find ourselves in the home stretch of this trip, we will spend the week teaching on Revelation, the role of women in the church, and seek to work out some problems between Evgenia and Valentine. We will meet with Evgenia on Tuesday afternoon, and are hoping to meet with Valentine on Wednesday. Our work here wraps up on Thursday evening. On that night, the church family wants to fix us a “farewell dinner.” That should be interesting...just holding out for no raw bacon fat...which we’ve not had to endure yet. : )
Have a great Monday you guys!