Ukrainian flag Horse and cart - life's more leisurely in Ukraine National symbol of Ukraine - Trident

The story so far:...
As a kid I always wanted to go to CCCP (USSR) and smuggle Bibles and other exciting stuff. So when I was about 15 and the Union collapsed, I was quite disappointed, and forgot about wanting to go there. Then when I was 21, a guy I didn't know and who didn't know a thing about me said that God was about to bring my dream to pass. I was just gonna say to him that I didn't have any dream, and he said, "You've probably forgotten the dream, but God will remind you." A few days later I was praying and suddenly I remembered I'd always wanted to go to the CIS. Then a month or so later, Daniel emailed me and asked if I'd like to join his team, so in 98 I left NZ, returning in 2001. Now back in Ukraine since May 2002 for another 2 years.
I arrived in Kyiv in July 98, then moved to Kaharlyk in August. I flatted with Sam for two years, then with Sergei and Barry for the third year.2 metre icicle For most of the first year I lived in a house which had no running water, and consequently no toilet or bathroom facilities. We got our water from a well, and there was an outhouse out the back. Houses are heated by a gas stove which is lit in early November and usually burns non-stop till early April. The second year we house-sat for friends - it was simply wonderful to have running AND hot water! Sam left mid-2000 to take up a new position in Rovno (Western Ukraine), so Sergei, who had just completed Bible College, and I moved into an apartment in the centre of Kaharlyk, joined a month later by Barry. There was no hot water there either until we installed it.
I went through a period where I had a whole pile of stuff stolen from me on three different occasions, which is a tad disconcerting, but that's life, and God's always in control! Among other things, I've spent a long night out in the snow, been swimming in a hole cut in the ice, sledded for the first time in my life, been in a rolling van after sliding on ice (van totalled, no one seriously injured), and been jailed for an hour for not carrying my passport on my person. I've experienced temperatures ranging from -25° to +40°. To top it all off, I got married in August 2002 right here in Kaharlyk. It's a great life and I'm loving it! Check out the photos.
Our group of approximately 50 believers was recently registered as Calvary Chapel Kagarlyk - you can follow that in more detail at the church website - CCK - ÖÃÊ.
If you want an in-depth look at life in Ukraine, email me and I'll send you my bi-monthly write-up. You can also visit these sites about other people similarly involved in Ukraine:

Calvary Chapel in Kiev Kiev Baptist New Testament Christian Church in Nikolaev ABWE Pike Family Randy Hillebrand with SEND International

God's Simple Plan of Salvation In English
Check out the Christian
Ukrainian Top 10
including lyrics
& mp3 files
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Old Kiev - Summer House The following links are excellent!
Check them out if you want a little info about my current home. And yep, that's the Ukrainian National Anthem playing.

Old Kiev - Pechersk Lavra
Ukrainian Factbook and Traveler's Guide

EXCITE Info on travel to Kiev

Eastern Europe and the NIS (former Soviet Union)

UKRAINE

CNN - Weather Forecast for Kiev, Ukraine

INFOHUB Ukraine Travel Guide

Private site about Ukraine

Kiev - River Dnieper Kiev - Sofia Kiev - Hreshatic St

Kiev Post Online
Kiev Post
Ukraine Online
Ukrainian Info Resource
Kiev Business Directory
Kiev Business Directory


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Last modified April 10, 2003