A Day in Ukraine

Let me tell you what a typical day was like for me while I was in Ukraine.

Waking to a small alarm provided by my wonderful hostess, Holly Friesen, I would pull myself out of bed to the smell of delicious coffee.  Holly, a full-time missionary who is a trained nurse practitioner, made me feel so at home.  Our mutual love of coffee was an instant bond, I think.  Knowing a fresh cup of joe was available for me upon awaking fueled my morning routine. 

As I readied for the day, I would stop at a window to behold the breathtaking views of Odessa afforded by a tenth-floor apartment spot.  Relishing the foreign cityscape and unique sounds of the hubbub far below, I would eventually move to the kitchen where Holly would have a yummy breakfast prepared.  Fresh fruit purchased from nearby farmers' markets was a highlight as were scrumptious squares of homemade baked oatmeal.

We would linger at the table, sipping coffee and enjoying rich conversation.  Then, as the time for departing to a nearby village drew near, I would pull on my backpack full of craft supplies and grab the poster I had depicting Jesus feeding the five thousand.  Slinging my green purse over my shoulder on the way out, Holly and I would ride the elevator down the shaft, stroll past one of the old guard ladies at the apartment entrance, and sit down on a bench outside to wait for my ride. 

Shortly thereafter, a vehicle would pull up, usually driven by one of two Ukrainian men who were believers and who helped out with the ministry.  My dad, who was staying with another missionary couple (Bruce and Carol Bagley) would already be in the car as would Carol Bagley.  Carol, a seasoned missionary to Ukraine, came along to help me run Bible programs for the village children each afternoon. 

I would load my things into the car and say goodbye to Holly, whose nearly full-time task right now is to study the Russian language.  Then, we would take off, meandering through the streets of Odessa. Driving within inches of other cars and bold pedestrians who dared to cross the buzzing streets, the van would pull off here and there to pick up our remaining team: two translators and two pharmacy/lab assistants.  These women, all Ukrainians and all believers, were wonderful and helped to make the week incredibly fun.

After stopping at a church to pick up the materials for the traveling pharmacy, we would be off to the village destination of the day.  Some villages were about 40 minutes away from Odessa.  Some took over two hours to reach.  Some roads were nice and provided for a smooth ride.  Some were incredibly bumpy or were simple dirt tire tracks cut through a field.

Always eager for new experiences, I would feel excitement bubble within me as we pulled into a village at the beginning of the day.  Enchanting, colorful houses, livestock tethered by the side of the road, and man-made piles of hay dotted the sides of the street. When we reached the church or meeting center where the clinics would be held, we would unload from the van and be greeted by the sereneness of a country day.

Sometimes, when we arrived, the patients would already be lined up, ready to see Dad, the doctor for the day.  At a few of the locations, a little service would be held with these gathered patients where a pastor would give a testimony about the Lord and then pray.  At a couple of the clinics, my dad got to share some of his testimony (with his fun translator, Luba, by his side). 

After the ceremony, the pharmacy would be assembled and my dad and his translator would set up shop in whatever room was provided as the examining room.  Some rooms were better equipped for this task than others, but they all accomplished the said task: to minister to and share the love of Christ with the people of the village via medical care. 

During the morning hours, I would sit and chat with Carol and my translator Anna.  These times were precious.  I learned so much about the Ukrainian culture and the Russian language in these sessions while soaking up the scenes of the village.  A few times, I took walks in the village to explore the area and capture a few photos.

After lunch, which in of itself is a blog topic, Carol, Anna, and I would prepare to hold our Bible program for the children in the village who chose to come.  We would have anywhere from 10 to 30-some children come for these programs.  Singing, a Bible story, the Gospel message, a snack, a craft, and games were all included.  Interacting with these children was like a dream.  They were precious and sweet and funny and ornery and intuitive and creative and basically everything kids are.  In spite of the language difference, I was blessed by them each day.

Once the Bible program was over and my dad finished with all of the patients and home visits on his schedule, we would load back up, drive home, drop the pharmacy and folks off at their respective locations, and head for dinner at one of the missionary's homes.  We usually didn't eat until between 7 and 8.  By the time we finished dinner and found our way home, it was nearly time for bed. 

Now you are aquainted with a typical day for us while we were in Ukraine.  They were long days, but fun and rewarding days too.  They are days I won't soon forget.