Wow!   Our two teams returned from smooth sailing and tearful departures.  Hearts were knit with the children and almost $10,000 extra was left with the ministry of the "ARK".    There were no travel problems (major) and just a few sicky distractions from the enemy.

Our team was on a rope tugging a tree as I cut it.  It was like a good comedy flick.  When I saw the tree giving I ran like crazy, realized I would be in the path of the falling tree, made a hard left and sprained my ankle...rolled across the grass and laid there sweating and dying.  Well...not that bad.  It was funny, Egger on of the 18 year olds, was massaging it desperately to find the spot, Sara Lantzer ran for a baggy of ice and Jane Gordon our "compassionate leader" was taking pictures of me sprawled out on the ground.

Despite that, I was able to walk and pray (alone) the Lavra.   Several days I spent hours praying in Independence Square. I actually ran into a Russian demonstration against NATO and such.  I didn't actually run into it...I just sorta walked in and took pictures.  It was fairly peaceful.

Ivanna celebrated her eleventh birthday while we were at the Ark.  She is one of my favorites and is growing up.  See her sitting on my shoulders in the gazebo. They all break my heart.

I was also able to spend a couple of days with my good friend Peter Billingham.  He was the-now famous-pastor who hiked the Himalyans and raised $25,000 for the street kids.   He has resigned as pastor in his home town of Bromsgrove, England and is now in charge of expanding radio (shortwave & Internet) into Russia and Ukraine.  He works for Christian Vision out of England and they have recently purchased a brand new three story house for the center in Kiev.  It was good catching up with him and sharing his vision to buy a farm for older kids to learn a trade.

Overall, a very productive and heart-rending trip. 

And now....a youth group is exploring going back at Christmas...God just keeps opening doors.