You want me to WHAT?

Jim:

I went to church with Sergey at 10am. I said I wanted to go to the church he normally goes to. He said it is small, and not very "American", but I said I really wanted to see it so he agreed. We arrived a little late because his bus was late picking him up, and it was crowded. Their sanctuary is being remodeled so now they meet in an upper room. There were probably 75 people there. I told Sergey that he didn’t need to translate if it would be a problem for him or for those around us, but he said, “I must translate”, so he did. About half way through the first sermon the pastor, Sergey’s uncle, said, “I see that Sergey is translating, and that makes me nervous.” Everyone laughed. During his sermon he talked about being faithful with what God gives you. He talked about the 3 servants who were given money to watch over while their master was away. Then he talked a lot about Joshua, and how he was given charge of Israel’s armies before he was the leader of Israel. Because he faithfully took charge of something that was not his, he later was given more, and he led Israel into the promised land.

After the sermon, the pastor made his way to us to say hello and ask if I would introduce myself to the congregation and say why I'm here. They dismissed the kids to Sunday School, sang a song, and a lady talked for a while about her singing, and how started the choir, and that if she couldn’t sing for God, she would die. Next, Sergey’s grandmother got up and read a poem. Sadly, I can’t remember what the poem was about. I think I was trying to figure out what I was going to say to the congregation. Then the pastor went up front and asked me to join him, so Sergey and I went to the front. I first thanked them for welcoming me to their church. I introduced myself and said I was from America. I said my wife and I came to Ukraine to adopt 2 children, and that I’ve been here 5 weeks, and my wife went home this week to take care of our other kids and to get everything ready for when I bring our new kids home, which will be in a week or two. I said I really enjoyed the sermon because our new son’s name is Joshua. I told them that Joshua is 11, and our daughter is 12. The pastor came up then and said he wanted to pray for us. Every time they pray, the congregation stands, so they all stood while he prayed for me and our entire family. Sergey translated for me. He prayed that a real man is one who is not lazy, but one who does what God instructs him to do, and that what we are doing is a perfect example of this – by adopting children and by making sure there will be two more souls in heaven. He prayed for blessing on all of us, for financial well being, and for our family to grow strong together. Amen! Then he talked to the congregation and said that adoption is more popular in America, even if you already have children of your own. Then he encouraged them to adopt children if they can. I added that there are so many orphans, and we pray that they can find Christian homes. Then the pastor shook my hand and pulled me in for a hug and I saw tears in his eyes. It was very moving. As we sat down I told Sergey that Kari will be sorry she missed this.

Another younger pastor got up and gave us sermon #2 on praying continually. There was another song, and then the pastor asked for greetings from other churches and several people stood up one by one and announced which church sent their greetings. Then the pastor said we were going to close our service, but first, as he always does, he asked for anyone who wanted to repent to come forward, and several people did, and he prayed with each one quietly while we all stood and prayed for them. Then he opened up the floor so anyone could pray, and 4 or 5 people each gave rather long prayers. When they were done, he closed us in prayer, and the congregation prayed something together. I was thinking it was the Lord’s Prayer, but I’m not sure.

After the service, several people came over to meet me, including Sergey’s mother who told me again how they adopted a little girl, Vika (Sergey had told us a few weeks ago). Another lady who used to work as a teacher at an orphanage said when she first heard I was here to adopt, she had 2 kids picked out for me that had recently been found in a field. Several other men and women shook my hand and said, “Bless you”, as well as lots of things I couldn’t understand. Sergey had taken off to go talk to someone so I was making the best of these meetings on my own. Then an older guy was really trying to get a point across to me, so I pulled him over to Sergey. Turns out it was Sergey’s grandfather and he just wanted to give me Big Blessings. Both Sergey and his mother apologized for the long service (it was about 2 ½ hours), but I told them that I really enjoyed it, which I did.

Outside, I met Sergey’s sister Vika, an adorable 5 year old who didn’t really want to meet me. After a few minutes I took some pictures of Sergey’s family, and one of his Grandpa. Poor Sergey was running late, and had to put me in a cab and say goodbye. He had practice with his worship band.

For lunch/dinner I wanted to try the café with good Borsch that the McGowan’s recommended, so I hopped on the #8 bus and went to find it. My note said it was something like “кафе УRCVC”, and I found a place called “КАФЕ УРСУС”, so I figured that must be it. I went in and it was very small, very crowded, and full of cigarette smoke, so I decided that I might try it another day. I walked back to an old stand-by, John Howard’s and had dinner with a little internet. We’ve been there 4 times, and the French fries are always different. Today’s version was limp and greasy. The chicken sandwich was good, even with the deviled egg on it. Then I bought a couple of phone cards for Zina and Rimma, snapped this picture, then caught bus #8 again, and made it back home to the Bible House.

I skyped with Austin, Tatum, and Kari before they went off to church. Austin’s drumming today, and Tatum tells me she’s the captain of the “A” team in Bible Bowl. She’s thrilled with her team, so I’m very happy for her. I just want to say “Hi” to all the Bible Bowlers reading this. If all goes well, I’ll only miss two more practices – maybe only one!

Tomorrow I have an early start. Oksana is picking me up at 7:30 for the hour drive to Kakhova to pick up Ashley’s birth certificate. I’m not sure if it’s her old one or new one. I’m guessing it’s the old one. Then we come back to Гола Пристаны (Gola Prystan) to unregister Josh and pick up his medical papers. With those, we’ll go get Josh and take him for his passport photo, and maybe a little clothes shopping. Hopefully I’ll have a chance to talk to Big Natasha – I haven’t seen her for several weeks.