Jessica in Ukraine

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Thoughts on living abroad...

I've been back in Ukraine for about a month and a half, and though I don't think I'm really undergoing culture shock, I'm noticing things that are different about life here. (I think my culture shock manifests itself as frustrations with the people closest to me, not as shock against what I see on a daily basis.)

Today I was at the store and realized I was low on cash. Now, low on cash means low on local-currency-cash, because I had a $100 bill and less than 50 грн (about $7). It's perfectly natural for me, when noticing that I am low on cash, to find the nearest money exchange place so I can purchase goods. My first course of action in the US would be simply to use my debit card, but here I don't really use it.

I'm looking through photos I took this summer at the grocery store of things that I would've like to buy and bring back to Ukraine. Some things I did actually buy, including brown sugar, peanut butter, and cake mix. Other things, like Goldfish crackers and a sponge for washing dishes (the kind where you can store dish soap in the handle), I did not. Last year my roommate and I had one of those "dishwands", and though I used it on occasion, it really wasn't my favorite. I preferred a regular sponge. There are foods available at the US commissary that are convenient, or just in English, but you can buy similar products here for half the price. (I confess that I buy cereal at the commissary simply because it comes in larger packaging.)

It's funny how when you live overseas, or even simply on a lower budget, what you absolutely must have, and what you can do without.

In America, grocery stores, libraries, banks, restaurants, etc. usually are distinct from other buildings, especially housing. Let's call them "stand-alone" buildings. Here, many businesses are located in the first floors of 5-, 7-, 9-story apartment buildings. It's actually a convenient use of land. On my street, there is a pharmacy and a small store on the first floor of a building.

Things take a lot longer here than they do in the US--even something as simple as running errands. Because I don't drive here in Ukraine, I must rely on public transport and my own two feet to get around. There are "lag times" when I could be considered to be "on my way", but I am really waiting at the bus stop, not moving.

I read a quote on Jonathan's blog about life in Romania, and this quote also applies to life here: "We live in Romania, and this takes up all our time" (from a Romanian TV station). In other words, I live in Ukraine and this takes up all my time. At the post office the other day, after waiting in line for about 5 minutes, we were told we needed to go around the corner of the building to another part of the post office. While waiting there--we were the only ones waiting for a package--the clerk made a phone call and looked for my parcel. We were then told that someone from our church had already picked it up! She had passed it along to another missionary, so I then went to their house (by foot) to retrieve my package.

I'll always remember one of the mottos of YIM: "That's different, but that's okay" or "That's different--I wonder why they do that?"

Sunday, September 19, 2010

September 2010 Update

Greetings from Kyiv, Ukraine!

Yesterday marked the one-month mark of my return to Ukraine, and what a busy month it has been. The following update will give a brief overview of the new school year and other ministry activities. Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and even your financial support! I appreciate your participation in the opportunities that God has given me to serve Him here in Kyiv.

Teaching at KCA:

I continue to teach geometry (9-10 grade) and 6th grade math, and I am teaching pre-calc/advanced math (11-12 grade) and 6th grade Bible for the first time. As compared to last year, I have more rapport built with the students, even those whom I have never taught. The sixth graders ask some great questions in Bible class! Some of those questions include: “How could Judas’s intestines spill out if he was hanged?”, “What do cults, like Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons, believe?”, and “Why weren’t Lazarus and the sick girl considered as part of the firstfruits of resurrection?” We are studying Acts through Revelation this year, and they enjoy the “Faith Comes By Hearing” dramatized audio New Testament.

Chernivtsi Kids’ Club

Last weekend I traveled to Chernivtsi with 4 Ukrainians (Irina, Luba, Sveta, Alla) and Colleen to help with the first Kids’ Club of the season. We met in a local school’s dining hall, where the families gathered. Sveta (who is 32 and has Down Syndrome) and her mom were there again, and I recognized some of the other kids like Ira, the twins, and Sasha. The kids are just so happy to interact with each other, and the ladies enjoy each other’s company. Vera’s Aquila ministry here is such a blessing to these families and to the community, and I enjoy being a part of this group.

Teaching English at Obolon

Today (the 19th) I taught English at Obolon to 7 kids—our lesson was on “family” words. (My roommate Amy is teaching the younger kids—with the help of Masha from Kyiv First Church.) These kids already seemed to know these words, especially a new little boy named Dima, but we were able to practice speaking and writing. Each student drew their family tree on paper, and we asked each other, “Do you have a brother or a sister?” Next month we will probably be writing letters in English to send to their sponsors.

Cultural Snapshots:

A few weeks ago, I wanted to buy ground beef, but didn’t see any prepackaged. I had to go to the deli counter and ask for a certain weight, which they would give me in a bag. The catch, however, was that I needed to ask for the weight in kilograms and not pounds—and I couldn’t remember the conversion factor! At first, I asked for 4 kg, and the lady said, “Oh, that’s a lot,” so I decided on 2 kg. Two kilos is still FOUR pounds, and I only needed one!

Upcoming Events:

KCA Fall Retreat--October 1-3

Chernivtsi Kids' Club--October 9 (I think)

Teaching English at Obolon--October 17 (I think)

Praises

*When Colleen and I traveled back from Chernivtsi on the train by ourselves, God provided us with 2 young women as compartment-mates. When traveling with fewer than 4 people in a compartment, one can only hope for nice, non-smoking, non-drinking traveling companions that will either generally leave you alone or be friendly.

*I feel more comfortable with the Russian language, and have been learning new words.

Prayer Requests

*KCA students: for their relationships with Christ to develop and deepen, especially at the upcoming Fall Retreat

*Vitalik, one of the boys from the Vapnyarka children’s center, who is now in university in Kyiv

*Obolon kids: that they will come to know Christ

*That I would be Christ’s hands and feet here, and see everything from His perspective

In Christ,

Jessica

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Sunday, September 12, 2010

Chernivtsi, part 1

This weekend I went with a group from Kyiv to help with the kids' club in Chernivtsi. This is for kids/people with disabilities, and it's now the 3rd time I've been there.

Our group on the way down consisted of Irina Yurivna (children's director) and her daughter, Alla G, Sveta (my friend Zee's mom), Colleen, and myself. Most of the conversations took place in Russian, except for the occasional time when I'd ask Sveta or Colleen what was just said, or have a side conversation with them.

After a full day at school, I was exhausted, and listening to a foreign language for approximately 4 hours is even more exhausting! Surprisingly, I understood most of what was said. However, I was so exhausted that I couldn't speak coherently in Russian. I was so slow to form my sentences in my mind.

Then on Saturday, I talked with some of the kids and families entirely in Russian. It helps when you can anticipate what kinds of questions will be asked, because then it just becomes a guessing game of sorts! I even understood 2-3 Ukrainian words!

Thanks to this semi-immersion, I've learned a few new Russian words--here they are, with their meanings:

полувино -- half

мукрий -- wet

наверино -- probably

теперь -- now (not sure of the difference between this and сейчас)

целый -- whole, entire

чудо -- miracle (this is also the brand of a drinkable yogurt)

I'm surprised I haven't dreamt in Russian these past two nights; I've found myself trying to form phrases in Russian in my mind.

This really helped this morning at church, as my friend Sveta was there! I've not seen her since last year, and was able to speak to her in Russian (mostly), with her correcting me at times.

Words I need to learn:

*weekend

*to put/place

*to bring

More to come later...

Friday, September 3, 2010

"Marshrutka Bus" song

Today one of my former 6th graders showed me a paper he'd brought from home. On this paper were lyrics to a song to the tune of "O Christmas Tree"--but it was about riding the marshrutka here in Ukraine. It was originally from some guys that came to Ukraine in 2007 or 2008, and they sent it to the missionary/doctor here.

Now, for any of you who have traveled via public transport in Ukraine, you will truly understand this common saying here:

Q: How many people can you fit on a marshrutka/metro train car/trolleybus?

A: Just one more.

Many times (more often than not), the buses are crowded--you have to force your way on and off the bus. Do you want personal space extending more than a centimeter from your skin? Sorry--that's not available! I've gotten used to being squished on a bus, or being on a crowded metro train that I can't even reach the bars/handles to hold (in this case, I simply sway as the crowd moves).

Thanks to Greg and Denny and Tim and David, whoever you are!