Hello. This is Drew.
Well we're leaving. I'm pretty excited! I'm already packed and ready to go! Everyone is scrambling around and getting things done. Despite the lack of information about what we are doing when we get there, I feel very prepared. I don't have very much to do this weekend, so I am hoping to get plenty of rest.
So say HELLO and MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone. I miss you guys. I look forward to seeing all of you in March. Today we talked about the cultures that we are going to and some people shared stories from past outreaches. I'm hoping to have a few stories to tell you when I get back (I've already got some good ones. Different cultures are fun!) I'll have to tell you all about culture shock when I get home. Turkish and Armenian culture are completely different from Ukrainian and American culture. It's funny, but I am really going to miss Ukraine. Even when I go home, there are some things that I just love here. It's so different, but yet really cool.
I'm gonna have to tell you-all about what I've learned later. Even if I sat here and wrote a twenty page e-mail I still wouldn't be able to explain exactly what God has done and is doing .I have a feeling that even when I get home I won't be able to explain it all. I have been keeping a journal of my thoughts and things I've learned.) Sorry about that.
I'm leaving about half of the stuff that I brought with me here in Kyiv. It's interesting what things I found useful and what things I didn't (and also what I wish I'd brought.) I've learned what to pack for next time. Wet wipes for sure (I need to just keep them in my backpack.) Í also think I'll bring a smaller suitcase.
I'm in charge of transportation, the team journal, meditation time, and medical supplies for our team.
I'm not sure why they put me in charge of transportation, since I still get lost. I couldn't find my friend Lance's apartment the other night (we watched Constantine and drank hot chocolate. Good times.) I wandered around and even got to the right building, but didn't realize that it was the right building because I couldn't remember the apartment number. I kept trying different numbers at different buildings trying to find it. I woke up this one guy and he was so upset about it that he started to throw things at me from his 7th story apartment (can't really blame him, it was 11:00 at night.) Eventually Lance and Daniel walked out and found me. My team is doomed.
It's ironic that I'm in charge of the team journal and just decided that journalism is what I want to major in and use as ministry. Funny how things work out sometimes.
I've already bought the medical supplies, but I have no idea what any of them are. So when a team member comes to me for something I'll be at a loss (hopefully one of the leaders can identify the various pills and other things.) I know what the Band-Aids are:)
It's sad to be leaving and makes me think about March when I will leave for home and probably never see most of these people again. David and Emily the German couple can't go on outreach with us (Emily couldn't get a Visa.) They are leaving on Saturday for Germany. They're going to join an outreach team from the YWAM base in Germany later on. It's really sad to see them go. They are incredible people. Also the base staff. Some of them won't be here when we get back in March, so this is goodbye to them too. Like Tim, the guy who taught me how to make biscuits and gravy. The Titus team is also gone, they are a team from Montana that thought us the Inductive Method. Anyway, it’s hard realizing that they are out of my life. That's what it's like to be a missionary I guess: Missing home and not wanting to leave, Hellos and goodbyes.
I love you guys a lot. I hope you don't worry about me. I'm in God's hands. God is so good. I know Him and yet I don't know Him. He is constantly surprising me. I have so much fun sharing life with Him. I just can't explain how much I love Him, and I can't comprehend how much He loves me.
Anyway, I love you Dad. Tell Mom, Nate, Grace, Grant, YaYa, Griffin, and Elizabeth that I love them. Tell everyone at church thank you for supporting me and caring about me. I love them too. I miss you guys a lot. I'm going to try and write to all my friends before Tuesday, but give a special I LOVE YOU to them, just in case. Tell Mike Stallion that I would not have survived without his sleeping bag and all the support he's giving me. There are so many other people I want to thank as well. This DTS has been awesome for me. Exactly what I needed to do.
Say MERRY CHRISTMAS to Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw. Tell the whole family that I love them. Eat lots of amazing food and think of me. My Christmas feast will definitely be a whole lot less. You guys rock!
God Wins!-DREW
Well we're leaving. I'm pretty excited! I'm already packed and ready to go! Everyone is scrambling around and getting things done. Despite the lack of information about what we are doing when we get there, I feel very prepared. I don't have very much to do this weekend, so I am hoping to get plenty of rest.
So say HELLO and MERRY CHRISTMAS to everyone. I miss you guys. I look forward to seeing all of you in March. Today we talked about the cultures that we are going to and some people shared stories from past outreaches. I'm hoping to have a few stories to tell you when I get back (I've already got some good ones. Different cultures are fun!) I'll have to tell you all about culture shock when I get home. Turkish and Armenian culture are completely different from Ukrainian and American culture. It's funny, but I am really going to miss Ukraine. Even when I go home, there are some things that I just love here. It's so different, but yet really cool.
I'm gonna have to tell you-all about what I've learned later. Even if I sat here and wrote a twenty page e-mail I still wouldn't be able to explain exactly what God has done and is doing .I have a feeling that even when I get home I won't be able to explain it all. I have been keeping a journal of my thoughts and things I've learned.) Sorry about that.
I'm leaving about half of the stuff that I brought with me here in Kyiv. It's interesting what things I found useful and what things I didn't (and also what I wish I'd brought.) I've learned what to pack for next time. Wet wipes for sure (I need to just keep them in my backpack.) Í also think I'll bring a smaller suitcase.
I'm in charge of transportation, the team journal, meditation time, and medical supplies for our team.
I'm not sure why they put me in charge of transportation, since I still get lost. I couldn't find my friend Lance's apartment the other night (we watched Constantine and drank hot chocolate. Good times.) I wandered around and even got to the right building, but didn't realize that it was the right building because I couldn't remember the apartment number. I kept trying different numbers at different buildings trying to find it. I woke up this one guy and he was so upset about it that he started to throw things at me from his 7th story apartment (can't really blame him, it was 11:00 at night.) Eventually Lance and Daniel walked out and found me. My team is doomed.
It's ironic that I'm in charge of the team journal and just decided that journalism is what I want to major in and use as ministry. Funny how things work out sometimes.
I've already bought the medical supplies, but I have no idea what any of them are. So when a team member comes to me for something I'll be at a loss (hopefully one of the leaders can identify the various pills and other things.) I know what the Band-Aids are:)
It's sad to be leaving and makes me think about March when I will leave for home and probably never see most of these people again. David and Emily the German couple can't go on outreach with us (Emily couldn't get a Visa.) They are leaving on Saturday for Germany. They're going to join an outreach team from the YWAM base in Germany later on. It's really sad to see them go. They are incredible people. Also the base staff. Some of them won't be here when we get back in March, so this is goodbye to them too. Like Tim, the guy who taught me how to make biscuits and gravy. The Titus team is also gone, they are a team from Montana that thought us the Inductive Method. Anyway, it’s hard realizing that they are out of my life. That's what it's like to be a missionary I guess: Missing home and not wanting to leave, Hellos and goodbyes.
I love you guys a lot. I hope you don't worry about me. I'm in God's hands. God is so good. I know Him and yet I don't know Him. He is constantly surprising me. I have so much fun sharing life with Him. I just can't explain how much I love Him, and I can't comprehend how much He loves me.
Anyway, I love you Dad. Tell Mom, Nate, Grace, Grant, YaYa, Griffin, and Elizabeth that I love them. Tell everyone at church thank you for supporting me and caring about me. I love them too. I miss you guys a lot. I'm going to try and write to all my friends before Tuesday, but give a special I LOVE YOU to them, just in case. Tell Mike Stallion that I would not have survived without his sleeping bag and all the support he's giving me. There are so many other people I want to thank as well. This DTS has been awesome for me. Exactly what I needed to do.
Say MERRY CHRISTMAS to Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw. Tell the whole family that I love them. Eat lots of amazing food and think of me. My Christmas feast will definitely be a whole lot less. You guys rock!
God Wins!-DREW
