Well, there’s a lot to catch up on (and i’ll do it in a couple consecutive posts).  It’s amazing how life can get so busy when you are in a new place.  I was told that “your problems will follow you wherever you go” and that’s completely true.  In America I constantly want to be busy and onto the next best thing, and that’s totally continued here.

The journey here was simple, I was in familiar airports, and no delays.  Denis, who picked me up from the airport was right on the other end to greet me, and we made it to the apartment only getting turned around a little.  The whole first evening I spent unpacking and went to bed at a normal time, and woke up with no jet-lag! 🙂

There were a couple moments of surrealism, on days 2/3.  I was on Instagram waiting for a friend to return from the bathroom and I noticed that some American friends were literally a block away eating pizza.  I was encouraged by hearing the story of how they felt called to Ukraine, what they are doing, and gleaning from every tip about life in this country I could get!

My third day here I was able to spend the day touring with American and Ukrainian friends from Orphan camp last year, and my home church.  Again, this was super-surreal, to the point that it seemed fake.  I’m not sure if it was the healthiest thing that quickly. More than anything, my mind was spinning as I attempted to discover that my worlds had so quickly collided.  Fortunately, I’m used to this, but it is difficult when you go from one place to another to have that taste of home, and community.  Which is something I’m sure will come here… eventually.

After the day with the American team, I had one day to prepare for my first trip backpacking with complete strangers this amazing country…