war in the land I love

I've been to Ukraine a number of times now. There are less unexpected moments than there used to be. Soooo many good things happening, really. I have a Facebook album full of smiles and joyful moments.

Also, I speak enough Russian now to (a) have an idea of what is being said sometimes and (b) pretend not to understand when a stranger is irked with me. 

But there is a war there now. We didn't see it. We weren't near it. But there were little unexpected moments that reminded us of it.

The exchange rate, which used to be 8 to 1 (Ukraianian grivna to US dollars) is now 22 to 1.

You can find toilet paper in the souvenir market with either Putin's or Yanukovich's face on it. The vendors shrug and laugh - "Ukrainian dark humour," one of them says. 

At one of the village churches, one woman, and then another, asked me to pray. "My son - my husband - is in the war," they said simply, eyes filled with pain and unspoken fear. We wept together as we prayed, and then hugged each other very, very tightly. 

One of my dearest friends has not been called to the war yet, but only because he happened to move from one city to another, so his address isn't current in the system. "I will go if they call me," he said. His mother and wife of only a year are praying they won't. So am I.

I hugged him very tightly too. 

A friend of a friend from the east, where the conflict is, spoke to me of men coming back home from the war. "They are not the same."

Another friend told of the hundreds of refugees their camp housed and rented apartments for last year. Kids whose parents sent them away for the summer, thinking the war would be over by fall. It wasn't. A mama who was evacuated two hours after her adult daughter was shot and killed in front of her. She couldn't even stay to bury her. 

And then others - several of them, separately - told me of the miracle of Slovyansk, a city now under Ukrainian control again, a city rebuilding from the devastation. Pastors there, their buildings taken by terrorists, prayed while the Ukrainian army engaged in fierce fighting. And then suddenly - "The terrorists were gone, after having occupied the city. Just gone. No one knows how. It was a miracle."

Another university student in Kyiv from the western part of the nation, told me, "It is amazing to see, but Poland, who were our enemies for so long - now they are our friends and they are helping us. So I guess God can bring good, even from war."

Several of those university students, part of a Christian group that friends of mine pastor, have travelled east to help with humanitarian aid. 

But the most unexpected of those moments happened on a day off. 

I've been to the war museum in Kyiv several times. We almost always take our teams there. It is ... very sobering.

And this time, outside of it were Russian tanks, captured recently in Ukrainian territory. The signs explained how they knew for sure that they are Russian tanks - even though Russia says they aren't. 

And inside, a new exhibit, dedicated to the Maidan revolution and the current conflict. Pictures and stories of those who have died. I stood there quietly for a long time, absorbing it. 

Ukraine. Land I love. Resilient, strong, determined. Full of life.  

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

- the Bible, Numbers 6:24-26

my chair

Moving. Renovating. Unpacking from one trip while packing for another. Fitting in "one more coffee" with various friends before we're gone.

It's not easy. Louie's really feeling the effects of it all. We found him like this when we woke up this morning.

Poor guy. I can empathize, honestly.

---

And then there's this.

I took this picture last night.

It felt symbolic.

When I was 8 years old, we moved away from the little town in which I had been born. I remember the night my parents told us.

I was sitting sideways in a big armchair,

the chair I loved the most,

where I did all my reading

and dreaming.

I wasn't sure what I thought

about this idea of "moving".

I remember saying, "I don't want to move."

"Why not, sweetie?" Mom asked.

I couldn't find the words.

"Because ... because ... I'm comfortable right here," I said, curled up in my chair, patting the cushion.

They kind of chuckled.

"Honey, we're taking the chair with us," they laughed.

I sighed.

I knew what I meant.

And I knew I hadn't communicated it.

I always remembered that moment.

In the end it was ok. It was good, in fact. Really good.

---

So I took that pic last night.

It's my chair - not the one from when I was a child, obviously - but the one I now love the most.

It's where I read,

and write,

and nap,

and text friends,

and dream.

It's now in what used to be part of our open concept main floor. The wall behind it is only a few days old. On the other side of it is now an almost-finished second bedroom, making the house easier to rent out or sell.

Because we're moving again.

Part of me doesn't want to. I'm comfortable right here, in this house, these friendships, this life ... this chair.

I know the chair's coming with us.

But still....

And then of course, right in the middle of that chair ... Ukraine.

#landilove

Heading there again in a few days.

Can't wait!

I kinda ache a lot these days, even while looking forward to the future.

I really, truly am looking forward to the future.

I'm pretty excited, honestly.

But I kinda ache leaving what's here.

It will be ok. It will be good. Really good, I'm sure.

Ukraine ... well, that will stay the same, somehow. It's part of my chair. It comes with me.

Louie's pretty happy about that.

скоро!!!!

Two weeks from today!!!!

It's been too long, honestly. :)

Two weeks from TODAY, we get on a plane!!!

And two weeks from TOMORROW, we land!!

You know where...

#Ukraine

#landilove 

Every time the plane lands there, I whisper, "I'm home."

Can't wait. 

i understand / je comprend / я понимаю

"Are you bilingual?"

Tends to be the first question asked when people find out we're moving to Montréal. 

I've started answering in the affirmative. "Yes," I say. "But the thing is, the languages I speak are English and Russian."

Which is a vast overstatement. Still, I've worked really hard over the years to be able to read, write and speak a bit of Russian, and it's the language to which my brain defaults when I try to think outside of English. The people in the part of Ukraine where I visit speak predominantly Russian, so that's what I've learned. 

I'm going there again in just a few weeks, and have been promising myself that as soon as I was done school I would delve hardcore back into my Russian studies. Of course I didn't anticipate that on the afternoon of the morning that I handed in my last paper I would be calling my District Sup to let him know that I might be moving to la belle province, where French matters much more than Russian. 

So I've downloaded Duolingo and it turns out my high school brain DID retain some French after all. (And you mocked me for my A+ grades.... *shakes fist*) Duolingo doesn't have Russian, sadly, so I have a different app for that. 

So. I've come to a decision. 

It's the only reasonable option.

I've got a good start in both French and Russian, so... 

I'm going for trilingual. That's all there is to it. Wish me luck!

À demain. 

До завтра. 

travel through time and space

I'm working on a paper this summer, instead of going to classes. When it's done - I'm done.

Unless I decide to continue.

But I will have completed the original goal.

Hooray!

I got to choose the topic for my paper, which will be the sole basis for the final six credits.

No pressure.

So, of course, the general topic is Ukraine ... and the more specific topic is the idea of Soviet nostalgia ... which is or has been a real thing, for some, not all. We Westerners don't understand that at all ... doesn't even cross our minds.

Part of the research involves poring through Kyiv Post archives from 20 years ago. When the nation was only a few years old. When the economy was terrible. When the government was a giant pile of bureaucracy, effective at nothing.

You know what's sobering?

Articles that talk about being "too poor to die". People couldn't afford the cost of a funeral in Kyiv in 1997.

When I went the first time in 1999,

I remember babushkas - grandmothers -

sitting on the streets,

holding out their hands,

heads bowed,

no eye contact.

You held tightly to your belongings;

on that first trip

I kept my passport and cash with me

at all times,

in a belt under my clothing. 

Things have changed a great deal over the years, although the current war and flood of refugees is changing it all again.

It's easy for me to get lost in it all.

So on Mondays, my mind moves through history in a land on the other side of the planet, while attempting to frame events within a sociological understanding.

And on Mondays, I long to be there again, visiting this #landilove.

скоро.

soon. 

student delight

This weekend, I was doing some research for a paper I'm working on.

The prof allowed us to choose our own topic, but encouraged us to check it with him. When I did, he suggested three scholars I should look into, two by name, and ... "Um ... I can't remember his name ... uh ... he's at Ottawa University, I think ... does Ukrainian studies ... just Google him."

So I did. Double-checked a bit to see if the name I found was likely to be the guy my prof was thinking of. Looked down the list of his published papers, and found one that reviewed work by ANOTHER guy, describing him as a "towering figure in Ukrainian studies".

Thought to myself, "Hmmm, THAT name looks familiar." Glanced over at my bookshelf, and sure enough, there's one of his books, purchased years ago when I was searching for something - anything - about Ukrainian history.

Apparently it was a good buy.

This has been a delighted moment in the life of a nerd student.

"on the seventh night"

A few months ago, some of you were part of sending funds to help refugees from eastern Ukraine, through an organization called Loads of Love, which is run, in part, by my very good friend Ed Dickson.

Spike and I had coffee with Ed on Saturday. He's in Canada for a couple of weeks. He had just received a letter from Viktoria, the woman holding the bag of food in her lap. With her are her parents, her son, and her sister. She has a daughter as well, not in the photo.

Here is the letter (translated, I'm sure).

Ed read it to Spike and I slowly, so we could hear and imagine each phrase. You might want to read it the same way.

When we were all hiding in the basement (on the seventh night) there was a loud roar of bombs and I prayed, “God, I don’t even really know how to pray, but if you will just save my children, I promise, I’ll change, I’ll love more, I’ll forgive, I’ll do whatever you want.”

One day my husband went outside because we were starving. When my husband didn’t return, my father went out and found him dead. Killed by a bomb. Later that day, terrified, we somehow found the strength to grab our documents, and escape our village, while laying on the floor of a bus. How do I explain to my children that their father is gone. We weren’t even able to bury him.

We left our home, where we have our favorite beds, our beloved dog, where every little corner of our house tells stories about our lives. Now we’re living in a dormitory, with a shared kitchen, shared bathroom, not enough food and rarely hot water. But I am happy to be alive, but am still ashamed to admit that we are hungry.

Then one evening a girl from the “Christian mission” calls us and asks if we need food for the children. I remember immediately hugging my son and saying, “God has not forgotten us.”

When it was time to send our children to school, we did not have proper clothing for them. I remember the used sandals someone gave us for my daughter were two sizes too big, but she said, “Mom, don’t worry, I like these sandals,” but I knew she didn’t.

Once again, in the evening, the girl from the Christian mission called, “Loads of Love” knocked on our door and said they had clothing for the kids. I don’t know what “Loads of Love” is, or who those people are, but I know that evening, Jesus knocked on our door and He loves us.

My thanks to all of you, on behalf of Viktoria and her family.

bits of food on a friday

Alarm went off at 4:30 AM today.

That's just dumb. But I had to finish (start) a short paper that was due by 11:30 AM.

I had started it.

Barely.

I had been thinking about it.

And it was only two pages, after all, plus references.

So there was coffee and a good solid breakfast, but by the time I rushed out the door at 10:40, I was super hungry again. And I was racing to a quick stop at the office, followed by a three-hour class which included participation in a for/against debate on redress for historical racial discrimination.

So I grabbed a couple of cookies.

Dropped one in the driveway.

Looked at it.

Ate it.

And now I'm back at the office, have a few details to finish up before the weekend hits, and boy-oh-boy that early morning is really kicking in.

Almonds and beef jerky aren't helping.

It was an early morning yesterday too, because I wanted to know what happened in Minsk.

I don't want to talk about it.

A ceasefire agreement was reached.

It should be implemented Saturday at midnight.

The 50 tanks that rolled into Ukraine from Russia DURING the peace talks

undermined my faith in the outcome a little.

I don't want to talk about it.

And now my head is being held up by one hand as I contemplate those last few details of the day, wondering which ones are absolutely necessary, and which ones can wait until Tuesday.

I'm sure I have some raisins here somewhere.

Happy weekend to ya.

watching Ukraine

I watched the Munich Security Conference this weekend, via Twitter, while waiting to pick Spike up from his latest root canal. (It went well, thanks. He's feeling much better.)

President Poroshenko held up the passports of Russian soldiers who apparently "lost their way" in Ukraine. I know people are sick of "talk" - "do something!" - but I'm grateful world leaders are talking, thinking. I can't imagine the weight they carry.

(photo credit: EuroMaidan Press)

And I'm grateful that Canada continues to send humanitarian aid.

Yesterday, Merkel (Germany) visited both Obama (US) and Harper (Canada - that's us - I'm Canadian, for those of you who don't know). There is lots of talk about arming / not arming Ukraine. Merkel is against it, as it seems much of Europe is. I don't blame them one bit. It's their continent. They remember World War II. And World War I. Only a couple of generations ago.

Sometimes I wish I didn't know history.

I wish I didn't have the distinct impression that it is repeating.

And the thing is - the idea that "someone has to stop him (Putin)" - while I entirely, wholeheartedly agree with that statement, the thing is ... no one is at all certain that sending arms to Ukraine will do that. In fact, most seem pretty certain that it won't. Putin isn't afraid of Ukraine. Or the world.

Today - a city called Kramatorsk was unexpectedly shelled. It's a bit north of Debaltseve. There was fighting there last summer, but then Ukraine took it back, I think in July.

Tomorrow, unless plans change, Merkel and Hollande (confusingly for North Americans, he's the President of France) are meeting with Poroshenko and Putin in Minsk, Belarus. The point is not to come up with a new ceasefire agreement. The point is to figure out how to implement the ceasefire that was agreed upon last fall.

Merkel has promised to stand for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Poroshenko has said that he trusts her. Putin still says they aren't even in Ukraine.

I haven't really heard anyone express much hope that this will go well.

But history has moments that make no sense, moments that turned the tide.

Moments like The Miracle of Dunkirk.

So ... I pray. And I watch. And continue to make plans, stubbornly, to go there this year, to hug friends very tightly, to pray and sing together with them, and to help where we can.

watch Ukraine

Watching Ukraine today.

#landilove

War - and it IS war - has escalated again over the last few weeks. The stories out of Mariupol and Debaltseve are simply awful. While Russia says over and over again that they are not there, my friends in Ukraine shrug in frustration and tell me - "Russia's there. They know it, we know it, everyone knows it. It's not even a secret."

Tension is growing in the land I love. The exchange rate for the Ukrainian hrivna to US dollar used to be 8 to 1; now it's 20 or more to 1. People are losing their jobs, even in Kyiv. Thousands of people are displaced from the eastern cities, streaming into already full refugee centres.

One of my friends is a doctor who helps in two of those centres. It's hard to keep illness at bay when so many families are crowded into one large space, blankets hung between them in an effort at privacy. Germs and viruses spread unimpeded. "They need fresh air, the place needs to be aired out ... but it's winter. We can't."

Today - the Ukrainian parliament had a landmark vote to strip MPs and judges of immunity - this is part of their ongoing work to root out government corruption. That's good news.

Today - Kerry (US) is in Kyiv. There are rumours of the US beginning to lean towards arming Ukraine so they can defend against the aggression. So far, the official word is the opposite of this, though.

Today - Merkel (Germany) and Hollande (France) are suddenly travelling to Kyiv, and then to Moscow, apparently to offer a new, possibly last-ditch peace agreement.

Canada recently sent more humanitarian aid. My friends in various humanitarian aid organizations are doing all they can to help.

My Ukrainian friends in Krivoy Rog / Kryvyy Rih

(Dnipropetrovsk oblast/province)

sent me a message yesterday.

"We love you Patti! We are praying for you!"

They were making borsch in my kitchen a year and a half ago. 

So watch Ukraine today. And tomorrow. And the day after that.

And pray for our world.

--

Couple of reliable news sources for you:

Kyiv Post

BBC 

--

(P.S. Don't - just don't - post to me that the CIA started the whole thing, or that the Ukrainian government is full of fascists, or some such ridiculous conspiracy theory. Just don't. OK? Thanks.)

new friends

Last Friday I got up at 4:30.

In the morning.

I was trying to get a head-start on what was going to be a tremendously busy day, at the beginning of a ridiculously busy weekend. There wasn't time to fit in One More Thing.

Not even a wafer-thin dinner mint.

But then I was invited to breakfast with Ukrainian friends-of-friends.

"At 9 AM"

"Today??!! Like, in an hour from now??!!!"

"Ya - can you come? We really want you to come."

I had no time for breakfast with strangers. I was already missing a breakfast meeting that didn't really need me there.

However ... one simply makes time for Ukrainian friends and friends-of-friends. So I went to the office, pressed the "print" button on a thousand flyers, and went to breakfast.

And now Spike & I have three more friends to visit, next time we are in Ukraine.

They came to our church supper on Sunday night. One of them offered to sing a couple of songs - beautiful.

They brought candies for everyone - "a gift from the President of Ukraine," they said, laughing.

Because they're Roshen candies

- and "Roshen" is right in the centre of President Poroshenko's name

- it's his candy company.

Or was.

I think he may have sold it when he became President.

Not sure.

I haven't talked to him recently.

They also brought a really beautiful gift, for me.

Ukrainians always bring gifts. 

Ukrainians also smile and warmly invite you to stay in their home the next time you come. And it is explained ever so gently that they don't say that as a matter of politeness, like Canadians do.

They mean it.

why my week is fantastic

Earlier today, I posted on Twitter and Facebook that I was wildly joyful and dancing (not metaphorically) with thankfulness.

Here's why:

*Last night's Board meeting was full of laughter, great conversation and passion for the future. We managed to set a budget for 2015 that allowed for all kinds of new possibilities, with very little increase in costs.

Every time we have a Board meeting,

I thank God for the Board we have.

Not all Boards work together with such vision and unity.

Ours does.

It's pure joy.

*Last night, mid-Board meeting, my recently-hired Assistant Pastor got confirmation of a FANTASTIC new place to live - this was huge - she needed a place by December 1. This place is a perfect fit AND the right price. There was quite a bit of cheering about that.

I'm awfully proud of her.

She's no fragile piece of fine china.

She's strong and smart, and faces life with a sense of humour

(although the laughter was beginning to sound a bit strained

before that phone call last night).

*You may remember this post, in which I mentioned how my church was working to send help to Ukraine. We had been working towards November 9 as "the big day" when we would bless the socks ONTO Ukraine. We announced it on the first Sunday in September. Between that Sunday, and 2 PM today ... well ... a jaw-dropping $10,464 came in, from my little urban church of less than 100 people, mostly on very tight budgets; and from some of you who wanted to be part of it too. (Also 16 scarves, also for Ukraine, knitted by a woman in our Deaf congregation.)

I don't quite get how that dollar amount happened.

But ... it did.

And if you think I didn't dance wildly in my office today

before signing and mailing that cheque ...

... well, you don't know me as well as you think.

And one last reason why my week is fantastic:

*After last night's Board meeting, I asked that very same Assistant Pastor for the notes she had taken for the meeting. She looked startled. "Don't you want me to type and file them?"

First time in 14 years (give or take)

that I haven't been responsible for at least one step

of taking, typing and filing Board minutes.

That's HEAVEN, baby!!

wordless wednesday: stole my heart in 1999

i've never asked before

OK, here's the thing.

You know I love Ukraine, right? Like unreasonably-bananas-head-over-heels for this nation and its people?

If you were unaware of this,

just click here.

You can read my various "Ukraine" posts

over the years.

You know this has been a brutal year for Ukraine, right? Invasion of their borders by Russia, for one thing. Countless people fleeing from the east to the centre and the west.

And now ... winter is beginning. Winter there is every bit as cold as it is here. Heat is questionable (dependent on gas, which is at least partially dependent on Russia - that can't go well); food is expensive. Refugees have nothing.

Ed Dickson has been a good, personal friend of mine for ... oh ... 15 years. He is genuinely one of the people I trust most in the world. He helps orphans and widows and seniors and the very poor in Ukraine. And now... well I'll let you see what he posted on Friday. That's him, on the left.

"I have been in Ukraine, helping orphan children and special needs people, for 18 years. I have never sent out a 'warning' before, but I am sending one today.

We all need to do everything we can right now to ensure that the situation here doesn't turn into a horrible disaster.

We found Natalia (pictured with me) unconscious in a cold room because of lack of food and desperately needed medicine. She fled eastern Ukraine with nothing and now has less. She's one in a million.

I don't want to sound like the negative missionary, you know me, I'm extremely thankful that we are here right now and have already been able to help hundreds of families and children! But this is serious. And WOW winter is settling in with watery-eyed blast today.

Thank you for whispering an extra prayer for the people of Ukraine today and for continuing to believe in miracles with me."

So here's what I want you to know. 

• Ed will be speaking at my church on November 9.
• We will be taking a special offering to send back with him, to help hungry, cold people there. 
• He helps without discrimination and with the highest of integrity.
• Every dollar given goes to the need - no admin fees.
• My church will give you a charitable receipt at the end of the year for your income tax.

I don't think I've ever asked before in this space. But I would welcome any help you would like to give. My extended family is together giving to this specific need by foregoing Christmas gifts to each other (the adults) this year.

If you would like to come on November 9 - please do. If you can't, but would like to help - contact me.  "patti [dot] crossfire [at] cogeco [dot] net"

And thanks for letting me ask.

Don't get all awkward on me now, OK?

no country music

It's a good thing I don't listen to country music. I'd be a wreck.

Today the Princess went to her forever-family. I haven't talked about her here - privacy concerns and all - but my parents are foster parents, and Resident Princess is one of the many babies that have come and gone through all my younger years, and now again. She was part of our family for nearly a year, and has a giggle of delight that could melt stone.

Her new family is wonderful. We got to meet them. But last night, when I waved bye-bye and she unexpectedly cried - yeah - I cried too.

So there's that.

And ... normally this is the time of year when I'd be pulling out suitcases to head to Ukraine. I'd be wondering what on earth I was thinking, because I'd have too much to do to get ready. And I wouldn't care, because I would know from experience that this side of the world carries on just fine without me, whether or not I get everything done before going to that side of the world. I'd be dancing with delight inside, thinking of the friends I would see soon, the villages, Krivoy Rog, Kyiv ... I'd look forward to the every-time moment as the plane lands in Borispol, and I whisper, "I'm home."

Every. Single. Time.

But not this year. Couldn't make it work, and it wasn't for a lack of trying. I know it was the right decision.

But still ....

Sigh.

I miss Ukraine. And I miss the Resident Princess.

And it's a very good thing I don't listen to country music.

a new President for Ukraine

They were expecting a 75-80% voter turnout today in most of Ukraine. Less in the eastern regions, where polling stations were shut down and voters were threatened with violence. Before noon, in most regions, the turnout had already been about 25%.

And, by all accounts, Ukraine has a new President, judging by exit polls. This is impressive in a nation where the candidate has to have over 50% to win, and there are many candidates; usually there are run-off elections after the initial one.

Meet President Petro Poroshenko. He's known as the "Chocolate King" - Roshen Candies is his company. He seems to be a good choice. Poroshenko supported the Maidan protesters against now-ousted President Yanukovich.He says ...

• ... his first trip will be to eastern Ukraine - to Donbas - in an effort to bring unity to the nation. 
• ... amnesty for separatists who give up their guns, but not for terrorists - i.e. separatists who killed.
• ... this was a vote for Europe - wants to strengthen relations with Europe.
• ... if Russia wants to dialogue, they can now acknowledge that there is a legitimate President with whom they can (as Putin was calling the interim government illegitimate). 
• ... he wants early Parliamentary elections; they are separate from Presidential elections. This would be a good thing too, I think, as the government is not set up to work together well if they don't want to. So it would be good to have elections across the board. (Disclaimer: I'm no political analyst. Just going by the little I've learned.)

So far, Tymoshenko has conceded, and both Canada and the US have acknowledged his victory, and congratulated the people of Ukraine on holding fair and free democratic elections, in very difficult circumstances.

Yesterday, I flipped back through some previous posts, through all the drama of Maidan. This one ... this one ... this awful day ... and this good one. I sighed deeply. It seemed finished ... and then it got more complicated ... and I wrote this.

It has been a long road to this point. There is a long road ahead.

I am hopeful.

Ukraine - land I love - you should definitely be proud.

Free, fair, peaceful democratic elections,

in the face of significant challenges,

even in the face of violence.

God keep your land.

the Spike and Ed show

The one in the hat is mine. 

They look like they're doing some Saturday afternoon cable tv show. 

"Ed and I are here at the Lviv Strudel Haus, listening to Chopin and enjoying the fine atmosphere." 

"And your hat. That's a great hat, Jeff."

"Well you know Ed, I do sunburn easily, hehe, but a rocker needs a GOOD hat, not just any hat. Awfully nice of you to notice."

"Let's ask our studio audience what they think. Would you guys like to see Jeff wear a hat like this every day? Maybe we should ALL get hats!"

"Oh, you guys, you're too kind. You know, Ed, it reminds me of the time when Putin said to me, he says...."

"Jeff, my smile is stuck. Go to commercial. Seriously. I might need you to call someone." 

"No need to panic, Ed, just sit tight. ... We'll be right back, after these messages. Don't touch that remote!" 

Cue the flute and acoustic guitar audio outro.

And... scene.

Brought to you by Outrage-Free Fridays.

Refuse outrage, just for a day - because it will still be there for you tomorrow.

Heathrow reflections

At Heathrow, on our way home. The airport wifi service welcomed me back - by name. 

Oy.

We've already gone through our pictures and remembered highlights of the trip. 

For the record, British Airways is quickly becoming a favourite airline of mine. 

And life is good. I don't know how on earth a small-town Canadian girl became someone who vacations in Ukraine, but I think it may have started with a summer in Alaska in 1985. That's my current theory. Without that trip, I never would have gone to Ukraine in 1999. There were other factors too, of course. Too many to count, really. 

At any rate - I'm mighty grateful to be where I am. 

coming home

I had a video sent to me today. Can't figure out how to download it from FB so I can upload it here via my phone, but if you're my FB friend, you'll see it. 

If not - suffice it to say, it's some of the CF kids, "We love you and we miss you Pastor! Come home soon!"

And then they sang, "Lean On Me".

So we're coming home. Ok? Flying out tomorrow. 

See you soon!

Akhmetov and Ukraine elections

If you are following events in Ukraine, this is worth reading. A statement or interview by Akhmetov - Ukraine's richest businessman. He's not running for political office. But he IS from the eastern part of Ukraine, so perhaps his words will carry some weight. 

He offers his perspective of the 4 options available for those in eastern Ukraine - should they join Russia? Become some sort of autonomous region in Ukraine? Stay exactly the way they are? No, he says. 

The government in Ukraine is a little too centralized - Kyiv-based. There are regional governments, but they are appointed by Kyiv - usually on the basis of bribes to the Kyiv government, by businessmen who wanted some power. You can see how the corruption would spread, right?

Akhmetov suggests the regional governments should be elected, just like the national one. Perhaps that would begin to address the lack of representation felt by some of those in the east.

Makes sense to me. 

The article is here ... http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/akhmetov-calls-for-constitutional-reform-decentralization-interview-text-347830.html

The presidential election is May 25. Winning candidate must get at least 50% of the vote; otherwise the top two candidates are voted on in a run-off election. Leading candidate right now appears to be Poroshenko - founder of Roshen candies and chocolates. 

We shall see.