My journey to Ukraine
My travel to Ukraine was quite the experience. Getting out of St. Louis was the first challenge. With the light snow cars were all over the highway. It was a parking lot at best. We decided with amount many others to travel on the shoulder going the opposite way. I thought I was in Ukraine already.
On my way to Munich, Germany I had a great discussion and sharing with a man from India. He was a Hindu. I was able to share with him about the living God and the gospel. He went away encouraged and thanked me for sharing.
Donetsk from Munich Germany the flight was diverted to a different city due to heavy fog. When we landed in a different city in Ukraine there was no direction or help in what to do next. I knew I needed to get my luggage. After waiting a long time I found only one set. The other piece I had to file a missing claims report. That in itself was a joke as many had lost their luggage. Thank God I at least had one. I called Anya my translator who has been helping me for several years. She is wonderful and a great Christian women of God. She mentioned that eight orphans from the trade school had come to the airport to greet me. It was difficult since I wasn’t able to be with them and greet them myself. I hope to call today and see where this lost luggage could be. How I could have one without the other is a mystery.
Not knowing what to do and feeling like a lost puppy I went through customs and then headed for the Lufthansa office. A large crowd of people with no direction, order, crowded around the small window. Pirate taxi drivers were making deals with us stranded passengers. Lots of hand motions going back and forth. Once again now really understand what was happening all of sudden a lady heads out of the office and the crowd of people stated to follow. I was able to ask someone who spoke very little English what was going on. She said, “bus.” In a mad rush I followed the crowd. It as everyone for themselves in hopes to get a seat. I have been in a situation before here knowing why the people were acting in such a panic. The
There was never any information when we would arrive or where they would drop us off. When someone would ask the driver when we would get there he said, “we get there when we get there.” that is a Ukrainian answer a lot.. After 11 hours we were dropped off at 6AM. I was so tired and couldn’t feel a thing. The bus was no Greyhound. More like a large van.
On my first day I went to meet with the kids from the trade school. I also visited with some kids from the orphanage I happened to see outside while walking. I hope to call the orphanage about visiting the kids. I heard they are not allowing visitors because of the swine flu.
