I woke early on our last day in the Ukraine and was thinking about some of our experiences.  Had thought of sharing some things that day but the opportunity did not present.  But, for better or worse, what follows is what I was thinking.
Driving lessons from the Ukraine

It’s hard to ignore the Ukraine road traffic.  The speed of the vehicles, the enthusiastic (!!) driving style and maneuvers, the condition of the roads.  You can be left a bit wide eyed on your first encounter ... and the second!

Yet I see some similarities between this traffic turmoil and our own journey in life.

Firstly, there are those times when the traffic is fast.  It is pedal to the floor and away we go.  Sometimes life seems fast too.  We seem to be racing along, and depending on the circumstances we feel exhilarated or a bit scared, or perhaps both at once!  We sense our relationship with Christ is deepening , we are growing, things are happening.  Our journey surface may be smooth and we revel in the comfort and ease of movement, the feeling of well being.  Our journey may instead be not smooth, bucking about on a bumpy, rutted surface where we are barely able to focus on the scene as it rushes past.  Can I keep in step with the Spirit regardless of the speed or comfort?

Other times the traffic slows, even abruptly, when the brakes are applied.   And so with us, there will be times when braking is required.  For whenever we are on the move in our Christian journey the enemy will be looking for obstacles to place in our way.  If we remain vigilant and alert in Christ, these obstacles can be comfortably avoided.  But some of these ‘obstacles’ can appear attractive and even desirable to ‘bump into’!  Am I willing to exercise my will and apply the brakes? 

Then there are those times when the traffic has come to a standstill.  And there we sit, waiting.  Do we wait patiently, or do we lean on the horn and fume about the delay.  Do we respond to the apparent delays in our spiritual journey by getting anxious or bad tempered.  Sometimes we know why delays occur, but mostly it is not immediately obvious.  Can I trust God that He is still at work in me and in those things that concern me at this time? 

Changing lanes seems to almost be a national sport in Kiev traffic.  Each driver appears to be constantly looking for the best break, the quickest way to get ahead. 

Now there is certainly a place in our spiritual journey to ‘change lanes’, to reposition ourselves.  It may be because the route we are on has served its purpose, or there is an obstacle on it that will hinder our progress.  God may be prompting us to change direction and trust him in something new.  Perhaps it is determining to avoid an unhealthy relationship.  Have I considered where my present lane is taking me?  Am I willing to be proactive with changes to my life if required?
   But changing lanes for the sake of variety, or a seemingly quicker route can also be just another name for avoidance.  I will need to take care with diversions if I am to remain obedient to God’s call on my life, and to being consistent in my Christian life and witness.  Am I willing to do what it takes to simply ‘hang in there’ and develop Godly character?

And finally, that great Ukrainian  maneuver when the traffic comes to a standstill, of driving up onto the footpath and charging along it.  The saying ‘the end does not justify the means’ springs readily to mind.  Am I willing to obey Christ and seek His righteousness first?  Will I choose to develop a faith that is convinced God will shape my destiny perfectly if I do it His way?

This trip has made it's mark on me in ways I am still processing. We have faced alot of confronting realities in the past 2 weeks, yet comforted by the efforts and love of those who have stood to champion the cause of the abandoned. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges I've taken from this is really the question : "now that you have seen, what will you do?"

Over the past ten days it has been great to see how different ministries interact with each other. As each have a different role to play when it comes to child welfare especially the orphans and disadvantaged. Then to see where the church has had a role to play with government run orphanages in assisting them with help: furniture, medicines, appliances and maintenance items. And then having ILDC helping with child welfare, and that there is more to child care than meeting the daily needs of food and clothes housing.

The children need a lot of care and guidance with love from birth to adulldhood even if life seems to be a bad lemon.

As I commence,  there is little in terms of events or activities to write about on our last day in Ukraine.
We had a welcome late start, (even for the early risers) and especially nice for those battling cold symptoms and general tiredness. We are all looking forward to going home for different reasons but agree we would be happy to return to the Ukraine.
Packed, cleaned and fed we left our hosts and their dog Olive. We have been blessed to have had such a warm and friendly family and home to stay in. They seemed to enjoy having us and picked up some Aussie slang that ‘s been used in our company. Hugs and fond farewells, Alexander escorted us to the airport for timely departures. On board, climbing to 40,000 ft , I thought the complexity of life in the Ukraine is as deep and concentrated as the intensely populated city and condensed buildings that 2.6 million people occupy below this aircraft. Personally I have enjoyed the whole experience and wish I had done this trip before I was 50. I admire those among our group, much younger who have also been to Rwanda. My concerns about family, finances, fitness and available time have led to procrastination. Those concerns have been without foundation and I find myself asking “Here I am – what took me so long?”
As a group we have grown in cohesion and depart friends sharing a memorable adventure. The trip has been a high-light but the love and hope in Fathers House has been very special. I believe each of us connected with individuals and the group in whole. From the Director, leaders and caregivers the love of God is consistently evident and reflected in the children. This home is an example to other facilities of how well children can be cared for.
The ‘low-light’ was having my wallet stolen. The loss of money a minor concern but frustratingly we lost time for which there was no replacement.
I leave with some sadness that child protection is such an enormous issue in Ukraine and yet one I only understand at a superficial level. Places such as Ladyzhyn confronting when we know humanity can be respected and cared for so much better.  I also leave with great hope.  Seeing groups of people, all working with passion for a brighter future for all children. Optimism those who make the effort are rewarded in seeing change, albeit slowly. In my opinion Penny, our group leader, has been awesome! A magnificent ambassador for our Lord, and church. I respect her leadership, understanding of the ‘real issues’, honest and easy going communication and unending patience.  She has tirelessly and joyfully made every minute count for us as a team and for the objectives in the Ukraine. As a result of this trip I feel challenged- am I leading the life God intended? If not – then let me be open and do so.

When I first met with Penny about this trip she asked me, "Why this trip? Why now?" My answer was because I wanted to see how God may use the interest I have had in orphans since I was a young girl and now seemed as good as any time.
This trip has been a chance to see and hear about situations that don't exit in the same form in Australia, especially not in my usual sphere of influence. It has included the challenges of a foreign language with a different character set, a different general attitude to problemss and life than I have and seeing things that many locals would rather no-one did.
There have been many positives too: making a child smile by picking them up, kicking a ball with them, blowing bubbles with them; hearing about and seeing the changes and improvements made in places that were once really horrible & dark and in which there is now hope; meeting the people changing the system, challenging the status quo and and saying "We can do better than this", like Oleg & IDLC, and Roman and The Father's House.
I don't think I can fully process all I have witnessed, but this I do know: We are helping make a difference and if I can go back and do more, I pray I will.

The early picking -up of 4:40am saw the team traveling out of Kiev on quiet roads - an unfamiliar sight for us.  While the sun had not yet risen it was quiet light, with the land form softened by a humid mist.

Today was to be the most confronting for me, a visit to the Ladyzhyn Disabled Orphanage. And so around 5 hours later the team started meeting these young people, ranging in age from 7-early 20's. I am now well out of my comfort zone, trying to adjust to the sight of their deformity, to the smell, to the noises they make. Moving amongst them, I try to interact with each of them as best as I can, with a smile and a touch.  At lunch I feed one young man his bread and milk, but eventually I need to get out of the building and sit in the shade outside.

Penny tells us the orphanage has improved a lot since her last visit - less smell, volunteers helping with care, the new steel beds and cots Riverview Children's Foundation funded, the renovations in progress.

Today we were able to deliver a gift of a new hot water heater.  They have had no hot water for the last two months.

The long drive through broadacre farming to Kiev has provided space to reflect on the days events.
 

T: Ten thirty - picked up and transport to The Father's House.
H: Have great expectations and anticipation!
E: Each of us delighted at the blue house covered in modern frescoes - Bambi, the Lost Lamb, the Ice Age Squirrel.

F: Found small children catching tadpoles.
A: Admired renovations in progress in the Rehabilitation Centre where new children learn life skills.
T: Tiny little girl has just become part of Anya's family (Anya was the leader of the camp in Crimea) So cute, so loved.
H: Hugs with some of the camp kids. Yells of delight! we wanted to yell too! So good to see them again!
E: Echoes of the children's past in my heart - abuse, alcoholism, anorexia, attempts at suicide, addictions.  Awful!
R: Roamed through foster family apartments so well-cared for and artistically decorated, meeting foster parents of families of 8 children.
S: Sat enthralled by Ramon's stories of the history of The Father's House.  This Director was beaten for his work to protect children.

H: Having eaten delicious Ukrainian food and rested, we moved on --- (actually I played soccer with my new 7-year old friend, a soccer champion!)
O: Off to an organisation that seeks to train workers and place children at risk in adoptive families, especially in the Ukraine, or return them to their birth family with assistance.  Amazing vision - pray!  U: Underground trains clatter and jolt, crammed full of people. I find the hectic rushing about difficult. Ukrainians politely offer me a seat - we have interesting snatched conversation in stilted English. I love such contacts.
S: Souvenir shopping on a steep cobbled street falling to the river from St Sophia's Cathedral with it's golden cupolas.
E: Evening falls with us in exhausted sleep. We have to rise at 4am tomorrow to travel 5 hours across farmland to a disabled orphanage.

Goodnight!

This morning we had a small sleep in and bused to the city. We then enjoyed some coffee together. Four of us then headed off to a meeting with IOM, A21 and YWAM. The rest of the team stayed back in the city and did some shopping/  ate waffles. At 12:30 the team reunited and indulged in yummy Ukrainian food at the Two Turkey Cafe. Unfortunately, Sue's wallet was stolen so she did not get to eat lunch as she waited for the police.

Four hours later the team had a meeting with members of YWAM and had a look around their property.