Well, the trip starting out by rushing to the airport being stressed out. I arrived at the airport rushed to check in baggage, go through customs, and get my gate. I finally got to my seat and got settled. Then, when I arrived in Paris rushing again to find my gate and then I had to go through a second check point and then I got to my gate to board next flight. Finally got some rest on my flight and I arrived into Kiev, Ukraine safe and sound. As I was walking as I seen this little boy playing with ball so I smiled at him and then he toss the ball to me so I put my luggage down and we started playing together. His mother just smiled and then I said good bye. I had more time to get to my next flight and I had some good food. Finally my last leg of my trip then this is when my ordeal started. I landed in Donetsk, Ukraine and I could not find my driver to take me to my apartment. I said oh no this is how my trip is going to be.  So I just took a cab down to Mariupol, Ukraine and hoping that this cab driver would take me to a hotel, I prayed Lord get me to Mariupol safe and sound. As we are driving down to Mariupol we started to negotiate a reasonable price that was suitable for the both of us. I can’t speak Russian and the driver is very limited in English but we both agreed to fair price. After a 1 hour and 30 minutes I arrived in Mariupol and   rented a hotel for 2 nights.  I was truly blessed to have Oksana and Inna who helped me find an apartment on Monday, while I was sleeping these 2 young ladies were looking for an apartment for me. Of course I was really thankful so I took them out for dinner. Now the 3 of us have been hanging out every day.  We have been going to cafes and I even cooked some dinner for myself the other day. Pretty cool and amazing, I even went to the movies and watched “R.I.P.D.”  In Russian of course I did not understand a word but at least I went to the movies like the locals. The weather here is so crazy one minute it is sunny and then it just starts pouring, thundering, and lightening. So crazy, I am so not use to this. But the weirdest thing is that I cannot log onto any website but I can get on Skype, this so crazy but maybe this is because the Lord wants me to have a break from being on the internet. It is an adjustment I am coping with, well I am on vacation. Tomorrow is Thursday and if the weather is willing I will head down to the Sea of Azov which leads into the Black Sea. Planning to soak up some sun and maybe even get a little tan. Heading down to the Sea of Azov and it was pretty amazing. I jumped into the water and just had a blast. My 2 new friends were really amazing. They took really good care of me while I was here. I had a great time. Now it is time to head to my next adventure. Looking forward to my next time I will come back.  The bus ride from Mariupol to Donetsk was really nice and very inexpensive, I will definitely take the bus the next time maybe even train it from Kiev.

My first evening in Donetsk, Ukraine was quite amazing and this city has changed so much since I was here 2 years ago. I did a lot of reflecting and walking a lot. A lot different than Mariupol but I still had an awesome time in Mariupol.  My time in Donetsk was pretty amazing; I did a lot of walking and sightseeing. I even did a tour of the Donbas Stadium where the Shaktars play and also where they had the Euro Cup last year. Pretty amazing and I really was acting like a tourist. I have finally made it to Simferopol and everything seems the same but some things have changed a lot.  Well, I had a real fun night meeting people from over the world, through the help of my friend Slava. We had dinner with some great people Rebecca from Germany, Julio from Guatemala, Aaron and Casey from America, and some locals from Simferopol so it was quite an evening. The best part that all spoke English well enough to hold a basic conversation. I even met a gentleman from Oregon, how sweet is that? What was really amazing is that I even invited to a birthday party and they welcomed me with open arms. I felt like I knew them for so many years. Then me and the new friends I met took a bus to Bakhchisaray where I went and did a tour and even went to a monastery and seen some Monks working away. Tonight let’s see what is in store for me.  Still the best part will be when I get to go see the kids at the orphanage. Looking forward to going to the orphanage hopefully on Friday or Saturday and then I am headed to the Black Sea. Now that should be really amazing. Well it has been quite an amazing time in Simferopol, met some really good people and have established some good friendships. One night me and my friend Slava met with some of his friends and I was able even able to share the gospel with them and to tell them how God saved me from all of my evil and sinful ways. I share with them on how them how the Lord helped has me be the person that I am today. How he has put this love and passion to serve in a children’s orphanage in the Ukraine.  The love he has showed me and how he has put great people in my path as I am here in Ukraine. My final night we all went out for dinner and just were reflecting on the new friendships we all have made. For me it is always amazing how the Lord continues to show me his love, care, and kindness each time I am here in Ukraine.

My trip started off with a delay at Moscow airport and then to find out later that I might have to spend the night in the airport. My first thought was “don’t tell me this is how my trip is going to be Lord”. So I just said well let’s see what happens.  My first thoughts are this is going to really interesting.  So I just tried to be patient and not try to get upset.  As I was standing in the transit area this man was just yelling at the lady at the counter, I said to myself that cannot be good for him. Then, I noticed a young woman that was speaking English and Russian. So I approach her and asked her if I would get hotel for the night?  And she said do not worry you will be out into a hotel soon, you just have to be patient. Then, after a couple of ours, the airline staff said that about 10 people would be staying in a hotel and they even gave us a food voucher and I said to myself now that is really great. I knew that God was in control of all of this. So, I got a chance to be in Russia without a Visa, pretty cool. Finally, I made it to Kharkov, my interpreter is really great.  Let’s see what tomorrow has in store for me.

As I went to the orphanage I was really nervous and really did not know what to expect. Well, like always the Lord has his way and I met with the head doctor that runs the orphanage and his name is Ramon Marabyan, he was such a great and caring man and I bought 2 radios for the kids. I met the staff and they were all so caring and loving. They showed such gratitude towards me. I felt like I have known them for many years. The highlight was when one of the kids just put up his hands and touched my hands. The feeling of great joy ran through my body and I even felt like I crying, tears of joy. Then, we went to another room where one of the workers was playing the piano and then this little girl just came up and handed me some bells to start ringing, I feel so blessed and encourage.  What a day, I was so worried about what I was going act like and the Lord just took over like always. Now my trip was been a complete blessing.  Thank you Lord for always giving me so much encouragement and for giving the chance to serve here in Ukraine.

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Last day here in Kharkov and it was a great time here. God really touched my heart at Shevchenko Park as I was praying I just felt like the Lord wanted to talk to me so I just kept praying and listening. Then, I started to listen to some worship music and tears started flowing. Then, I started singing and then this woman was there and I did not even know it. When I turned and looked there was a woman with her baby and she gave me thumbs, so I guess I was singing okay but who really knows.