Trip to Kharkov
Thursday morning we caught the express train to Kharkov in far eastern Ukraine. The trains are much better now and very comfortable. Many of the rail stations are being repaired and upgraded and platform areas are well lit and look nice. This is a sign of some economic improvement. There is still very much to do though in all areas.
Kharkov is the third largest city in Ukraine. This once was the capitol of Ukraine and a center for communist control. Here we met with the Ferrari family (missionaries) and attend a night service in Pastor Sasha's church near by. The church has been meeting in the unfinished basement of their beautiful new building under construcion. Nancy and I gave testimonies to a small group of adults and a large group of teens.
We returned on the night sleeper train to Kiev late in the evening. Unfortunately Nancy and I were in separate compartments from Mike and Rachel. A Ukrainian couple had the lower bunks and Nancy and I the upper bunks. Mike briefed us on the ins and outs of Ukrainian train travel...most people travel this way here. We retired as the train left the station.
During the night I arose to go to the restroom down the hall. As I slid off my upper bunk my cotton mattress, pillow and blanket also slid off onto the lady in the lower bunk. Not good! I think she didn't notice in the dark as I quickly scooped it up and put it back in place. Next I tried to open the door but it was locked tight. For several minutes in the blackness of the moving compartment I tried pushing and pulling on the lock and latch handle. In my desparation I used my wrist watch glow light to see the latch. It resisted all atempts. I tried to wake the other man in the compartment. Finally he sat up in bed and unlatched it for me without a word. I just didn't know the right twist of the wrist. Suffice it to say, it was a relief as I said "spiceba" (Thanks)!
Later in my bunk I recalled stories of Soviet citizens and Christians during Stalin's time who were arrested for little or now reason and hauled off to Siberian camps in prison trains. There were up to thirty people jammed in a compartment like ours meant for four. Often the trip took weeks on end with only one bathroom privilege per day. Many died in route.
We arrived on time this morning and relatively rested. Today (Friday) we will sort humanitarian aid clothing for evangelism in the villages. Our team of six others arrives on Saturday. Keep all of us in prayer as we minister this weekend at Mike and Rachel's church in Kiev and meet others.
Kharkov is the third largest city in Ukraine. This once was the capitol of Ukraine and a center for communist control. Here we met with the Ferrari family (missionaries) and attend a night service in Pastor Sasha's church near by. The church has been meeting in the unfinished basement of their beautiful new building under construcion. Nancy and I gave testimonies to a small group of adults and a large group of teens.
We returned on the night sleeper train to Kiev late in the evening. Unfortunately Nancy and I were in separate compartments from Mike and Rachel. A Ukrainian couple had the lower bunks and Nancy and I the upper bunks. Mike briefed us on the ins and outs of Ukrainian train travel...most people travel this way here. We retired as the train left the station.
During the night I arose to go to the restroom down the hall. As I slid off my upper bunk my cotton mattress, pillow and blanket also slid off onto the lady in the lower bunk. Not good! I think she didn't notice in the dark as I quickly scooped it up and put it back in place. Next I tried to open the door but it was locked tight. For several minutes in the blackness of the moving compartment I tried pushing and pulling on the lock and latch handle. In my desparation I used my wrist watch glow light to see the latch. It resisted all atempts. I tried to wake the other man in the compartment. Finally he sat up in bed and unlatched it for me without a word. I just didn't know the right twist of the wrist. Suffice it to say, it was a relief as I said "spiceba" (Thanks)!
Later in my bunk I recalled stories of Soviet citizens and Christians during Stalin's time who were arrested for little or now reason and hauled off to Siberian camps in prison trains. There were up to thirty people jammed in a compartment like ours meant for four. Often the trip took weeks on end with only one bathroom privilege per day. Many died in route.
We arrived on time this morning and relatively rested. Today (Friday) we will sort humanitarian aid clothing for evangelism in the villages. Our team of six others arrives on Saturday. Keep all of us in prayer as we minister this weekend at Mike and Rachel's church in Kiev and meet others.
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