Earlier this week we got to see the transitional home Blagodat (Grace) Church is building for their orphan graduates.  It is huge, more like a small dorm!  It is 4 stories, and is designed so that each room is complete with a bathroom and small kitchen.  There are large rooms that could be used for Bible study & fellowship, movie nights, games, etc.... lots of ministry potential!  We also met Peter, an older Ukrainian (or in the prime of life for those of you over 50) who has been working with Odessa orphans for 10 years.  He showed us around and we discussed with him and Alfie (our team leader the possibilities of moving there in the fall.  We kept telling Peter that we are very open to that possibility, but nothing is decided yet.  That didn't seem to phase him however... as he showed us around he kept making comments like, "This is where you'll live, and in this room Gabe can lead Bible studies while Sarah brings the kids snacks."   When we asked him what the plans were for one large room he responded with, "Whatever you decide."  He seems like a very gentle man who is thrilled to have some help with this ministry.  We look forward to getting to know him better.  It is neat to see a church that has a heart for orphans, and that is investing so much in them.  We will continue to pray about where God would have us after our language improves, but it was exciting to see one potential ministry for us!

Balancing the Books

A couple weeks ago our heat was shut off.  We were surprised since it was only the middle of March, but fortunately it wasn't too cold.  A day and a half later it was turned back on.  Apparently Odessa was behind on its payments for heat to Kiev, so they just shut off the heat to the whole city.... 1 million people.  I guess that's one way to balance the books! 
    Our fun times at with language continue.... Gabe said he was born in 1880 and Sarah discovered the verb that means go clean the toilet.  Everytime we leave our apartment we are torn between wanting to make friends, and then thinking when someone approaches us, "Please oh please don't talk to me."  Gabe also got unanticipated language practice when he was cornered by a drunk outside our building.  The man liked Esther and said he always wanted a daughter but he just had 3 sons.  He said maybe we stole his daughter from him and kept asking which apartment we lived in.  Gabe pretended to not understand him (usually we don't have to pretend) and got away as soon as he had the chance.  You never know what you're gonna get!