Im in much physical pain!

I have upped my training and am in much physical pain! The marathon is but 5 days away! Please feel free to sponsor the team through this website just leave your donation amount [Preferably a double figured note!] in the comments and ill add you to the sponsorship form. I’m not going through this pain for nothing!

The Ukraine Team has now hit 43 with the possibility of it continuing to grow! Here we go again!

I near shat myself...

My parents were away on holiday, when they are away I check all the doors in the house are closed and locked before I go to bed. I was walking from the bathroom to my bedroom which is just a few steps when NO JOKE- The door of the spare room opened!! It was one of those times when your so scared it hurts! I plucked up the courage to push the door open wide... I couldnt see anything so further in a went... still shating myself I turned the light on [It was like one of those horror films when you just know they shouldnt go in] Thankfully nothing there. But how freaky is that? The door opening when it was tight shut?!

Number 8

Number 8 is the number of the house in the background of the picture above [Ignore the pleb in the bus!] Would you believe it if I told you that if it wasn’t for the woman who lived in that house. Our church would not be involved in a church partnership, Volochisk Baptist church may not even exist, no teams from the church would have gone to Ukraine [I would never have gone to Ukraine!] YFC Ukraine may not exist or be at the level that is now. Why? Because many many years ago when a woman came to the lady at number 8 to work in her fields she was told the gospel and became a Christian. The woman had a son called Nicoli who married a woman called Nella, Nicoli became pastor of a church in a small village called Volochisk. They had two sons Pavel who is in the ministry and Andrey who has been director of YFC Ukraine for the past 10 years! Who has enabled teams from Ballynahinch Baptist to work in Ukraine for the past 6 years. Now that’s a ‘what if’ story: What if a woman out working in a field tells her neighbour about Christ?? That story will continue to grow…

Check out my photo album for more pictures from my Ukrainian adventure.

The end of the Ukrainian adventure

I left you on my previous post after my horrendous train journey! [The picture above just does not show how small that cabin was! and that was before we got all our baggage in!] Let me continue my story this time from Northern Ireland. After arriving in Volochisk at 5am to a 3 course meal cooked by nella I went to Khmelnitsky for team talks and met some people from camp which was cool. The next day I decided to go for a run. I thought best to stick close to the church so came up with a circuit around the church- After running around it 3-4 times I got bored and decided to run across the bridge towards Pid Volochick where there is petrol station and run back. As I was approaching the bridge a man was crossing with a wheel barrow he spoke to me in russian in which I just said drobe dien [good day] and planned to run on but he blocked my path! He was in front of me his wheel barrow to my left and the railings of the bridge to my right- I was slightly trapped. He started to talk to me in russian talking about a Ukrainian football team dynamo Kiev and I said in russian that I didn't speak russian and didn't understand what he was saying- but this didn't seem to make much difference to the guy- he carried on telling me his name and acting out to me that he wasn't married and tried to give me his phone number using his fingers! Rachel by this stage is getting slightly freaked! Tries to edge away but Victor won't let me! He then starts to mention Margaret Thatcher by this stage im continually telling him I don't speak Russian and don't understand. He then comes up with the brain wave of writing his phone number in the sand!
And after he has finished he starts to do push ups in the middle of the road!! I didn't want to run off and annoy the guy as I didn't know what may happen- I tried to signal that I needed to go.. He then grabbed my hand! So I acted cool and shook it as if that was his intention! He then KISSED my hand! I finally got away from him he took off up the road with the wheel barrow and I ran on to the petrol station [Dear knows what he was saying to me] After a couple more laps around the church. I saw him standing on the other side of the road he runs across with his wheel barrow and starts running down the road after me!! Getting freaked out I sped up and took a short cut to the church! The rest of the trip Gordon and co thought it was very humorous to mention wheel barrows as often as possible even during church services with the on going sound effect of the wheel of the wheel barrow squeaking!
I returned from my run traumatized and wreaked wanting a shower when Nella set down in front of me a huge bowl of hot muesli followed by an omelet- boy I felt ill after that!
In the afternoon we visited the 3 clubs that were started since the summer camp which was really encouraging- although they were all held in buildings that would be condemned here- there's certainly no child protection either! Sunday was spent going round church services in the sister churches of Volochisk. It was a privilege to meet the congregations and to fellowship with them not to mention the laughter of the 4 of us having to sing! I will never be able to sing 'There is a redeemer' or 'Faithful one' again with out thinking of this trip!
Monday I went for another run praying that I would not bump into Victor again- This time the run wasn't as eventful although I did get chased by a goose!! The rest of the day was spent traveling back up to Kiev thankfully this time in a mini bus and not the inferno ukrainian train!
We came so close to missing or flights- We left the centre of Kiev after Nicoli nearly bought out a Christian bookshop at 1.45pm we arrive at the airport at 2.20pm the flight was at 2.45pm we had to run to check out, through customs and passport control and literally run to the place was like being in a movie. All that training came in handy! I'd forgotten how much I love it in Ukraine I had a fantastic time, its also good that i enjoyed it outside the team atmosphere and even with people I wouldnt usually socialise with- Can't wait for the summer. The country really does seem to be on the up since Yushchenko started as president- He has tripled teachers salarys, doubled pensions, stopped police taking bribes, and won't let factories be closed down so people won't lose their jobs. The people seem to be on a real high and feel that since the orange revolution and Yushchenko coming into power that Ukraine is turning a corner and is on the up. Here's to the lost keys, Richard, err err err err err and my freaking class orange revolution t-shirt.

Tales from Khmelnitsky

The Ukrainian zoo was an experience but not like the over night train journey- no joke it was the most horrid night I have ever spent in Ukraine and thats taking into consideration a 27 hour bus journey in 2003! We arrived to the train to a tiny cabin about 6 feet by 5 feet, and all 4 of us are to sleep in it boys and girls! it was so hot! we were promised that the air con would be turned on when the train started but no the heat came on- there was heaters all around the cabin and outside along the hallway- the windows wouldnt open and we had all our stuff also crammed in! The men went straight to sleep- did I sleep? not a wink the train was so creeky and banging and jumping us up and down, left and right big jerks every few minutes. After a few hours i was ready to smash the window to get air that i decided to go in search for some- I opened a couple or doors until finially I had air the train worker had left the door to the outside open it was so nice and refreshing I knew rach g was still awake so I went and got her and out translator heard us from his cabin so came with us on an adventure through the cabins of the train in search for a seat with fresh air- after climbing through about 7-8 cars we found ourselves in the resturant car surrounded by drunk people and staff and got shouted at for trying to sleep at the table even though there was a number of people sleeping on the floor! so we bought a bottle of water to keep her sweet and sat for awhile in the cool. Then back to the cabin for a last minute attempt to sleep- it didnt work. By the way I will memtion that the toilets on the train were so bad if i didnt get out when i did i would have been gaging so much that I would have been sick! It was the horriblest stoilet smell ive heard in experienced- the second time round I stuck a wet wipe to my face so I couldnt smell the toilet! We arrived in Volochisk at 5am to a full 3 course meal from nella all i wanted to do was sleep- I ended up getting 3 hours sleep before going to Kmelnitsky! Just had a meeting about camps and a fun meeting they called it anyway were we just chatted- so good to see all my friends here... No going to down town khmelnitsky- I understand this may make no sence but I have not much time but SO much more I could write and many many stories to tell. Heres to Borsh and raisin porridage for breakfast! Slava Bogu

More from the big chicken... [Kiev]

Im back in the YFC Office, last night after we left the office we [Zhenya and I] went food shopping very random shopping indeed. Then back to her house I helped her make dinner which consisted of a form of ham salad and when I say a form of ham salad I mean that im not exactly sure if it was ham or spam or ham flavoured jelly! We then made potateo wrapped in pasta with sour cream and had cheese and cucumber as a side dish by this stage of the day I had not eaten since the plane and was starving so would eat anything even ham flavoured jelly! After dinner we watched the film princess bride in english and then went to bed- did take me long to fall alseep as I had been working on 3 hours sleep all day. This morning up at 8am [6am our time] and went for a run I ran around a stadium track 7 times not exactly sure how far altogther but at least it was something- I told the YFC staff that we were planning to run the marathon to raise money for Ukraine and they called us heros they can't belive that we would run for Ukraine and have been praying for us. Speaking of the YFC staff I have to say they are amazing I had met them before and been in office before but not for this length of time- they work none stop and so hard and are so excited about winning people for God- I tell you heaven is and will be alot fuller because of them- they are currently working on material to send out into other russian speaking countries they are now well established and in turn are helping others do the same. Ive seen it before in Ukraine and know that they pray for everything but another example happened this morning- the sports co ordinator had wanted a car and bought one a couple of days ago- Today when he arrived the staff all prayed for the car and for tomba's health and safty when driving it. At home we all would have raced out to the car park for a quick jeffrey and or a spin in the new car before heading back to do whatever we were doing it certainly would'nt come to my mind to pray! After the run it was back for a shower and BREAKFAST! Now at home I never eat breakfast as I got out the shower I could smell it had no idea what it was or could be when I went into the kitchen it didnt look very appealing ill be honest. Now your probably thinking Rachel you've been to Ukraine that many times that you should be used to it but there are always surprizes put in front of you- so I always prepare myself. Also breakfast in ukraine is like dinner at home they dont do toast and cereal. Set down in front of me was a bowl of rice with what I was describe as chicken and mushroom sauce but without the chicken it ended up being really nice but just not for breakfast! After breakfast I had a meeting concerning the camps in the summer got lots sorted out was good to talk about them face to face rather than trying to do it all by email. Bought myself a Ukrainian sim card on the way to the office instead of it costing me 40p to send a text home it only costs me 5p! was pretty pleased with myself when I thought of that idea. Later ill meet up with Gordon and co and get the over night train to Pid Volochisk where Nicoli will collect us at 5am! and take us to Volochisk then at some point tomorrow Oleg [The director to the YFC office in Kmelnitsky] will pick me up and take me to their office for more camp talk and after that some fun and fellowship! Kmelnitsky is where I go for camp each year so I know them all well and know people there from camp that are not staff so it'll be fun. Here's to the pizza place and sunshine mars bars... Slava Bogu

p.s Now going to kiev zoo!

Greetings from the big chicken... [Kiev]

Well arrived safely in Kiev and it is so freaking hot! I thought it would be cold and packed my winter woolies would really need shorts and the sun tan lotion! My flight was good have to say I was very impressed with Malev airlines- the service was top notch even got to watch bugs bunny and Mr Bean... Not bad to pass the time I have to say. Now in the YFC office and its even hotter in here than outside and as each of the staff leave they put on massive coat and here I am sweating away in a t-shirt. Had a very classic Ukraine moment earlier on. We went to buy the train tickets for myself and Gordon and co for tomorrow when they arrive. I was surprized as I was told that you could only buy them with your passport so questioned zhenya on the matter as obv we didnt have all the passports... she give me the glance as to not say anything as she produced identity type cards and on them were people I recognised as either yfc ukraine staff or people from camp. I thought she had just brought them to use to buy the tickets. Then on the bus on the way to the office she checked the names on it and each one had our names on it... They had only gone and forged identy cards with our names on them but with a different picture! Only in Ukraine- You got to love it! I got the one they made for me its priceless! I have to say I just love this place!! Still can't actually believe im here although wish I had the shorts and flip flops would make my stay a tad more comfortable! Tomorrow ill have a meeting about the camps, hang about kiev, go for a run! [Yes the training continues!] and then meet Gordon and co with our forged idenity card train tickets and head to Volcohisk. Will try and update you again. Slava Bogu- Did I mention I love Ukraine!! Really can't wait for the summer team to go!

Progress?

The marathon is now less than a month away and I’ve upped my training. Running most days of the week and ran round Castlewellan lake on Saturday!! Was pleased with myself I have to say despite the pain I was in afterwards. Its true what they say when it comes to running there is a barrier to cross and when you get to that point and don’t give up you can run on a lot further... either that or I’m getting fitter either way its all good! [There is a sponsorship form at the information desk- I’m not going through this pain for nothing so sign up some money on Sunday : Money raised will be divided between the Ukraine team and the Ballynahinch community project]

The Ukraine Team has now grown to 37 instead of 36 got a very last minute team member today. Also on Wednesday I head to Ukraine for 6 days would appreciate your prayers for travel and for all the preparations I have to do out there for the summer as some of it has got complicated. I’m travelling out by myself on Wednesday and then meeting up with Gordon and co when they arrive on Thursday travelling to Volochisk on the over night train and on Friday I’m going to Khmelnitsky for more camp/practical team preparation. It’ll be good to meet up with old friends and people I met at camp down through the years not to mention the people in Volochisk. Slava Bogu

Team reunion

Last night we had a Xhmelnitsky Ukraine team reunion. We all [Myself, Stu, Karen (The one who likes things!) Queenie (Gillian) Jamie, Ross, Ashley, Stephanie, Fiona, Lesley and Laura] Sadly one team member SJ couldn’t make it as she is stateside!
It was a great night of fun, fellowship and memories. We started off in pizza hut at the odyssey followed by bowling. The night was nicely finished off by a walk around the outside of the odyssey- it was such a calm peaceful clear night- we sat chatted and mucked about until after midnight. Here’s to good friends and good memories.
[ The picture above is from our first day at camp in Xhmelnitsky in which we had to pretend we were in an aeroplane crash and cover ourselves in red tomato paste stuff and bandages- This would only happen in Ukraine- love it! ]