Great day!  Impacting! Interesting & Exhausting!

Li better after cold symptoms but remained at the house for a quiet day. We left for Paul and Christine's church at ICA (International Christian Assembly) and had a lovely service by a visiting preacher Andrew who spoke on evangelism, established believers and creating disciples. The service had lots of visitors and was similar to our own churches.

At church we met a lovely lady Lyuba who took us on our next journey of public transport on the metro! On trains in the Ukraine there are only two motions, flat out (130 kms) and stop and we were so grateful for the help ticketing and changing trains at stations we were in and out of before we could read the signs.

 Alexander met us and after a healthy lunch we were off to the imposing statue of Mother of Russia. Statues and wall stones were carved in reflections of the Russian efforts during war with military armaments strategically placed. Lots of symbolism of history set in peaceful gardens overseeing Kyiv.

 Next to Pechersk Lavra to see the sanctuaries within caves of the bodies of those who had cut themselves off from outside life to pray. Still dependent on that outside life for food to be passed through small windows. It was very busy and with lit candles we descended into the humid and small corridors with many Ukranians who still visit as a spiritual experience.

 Departing on the Long Walk which is exactly that, with an incline that left us all feeling the heat we reached the top with expansive views of the city and Dnieper River.

Public transport to the Lovers Bridge after an interim ice-cream, Alexander told us of the lovers who have secured inscribed padlocks onto the railings of a bridge. Most were metal padlocks but others were material and even plastic bags. Perhaps the latter were of those who either couldn't afford a metal padlock or possibly weren't so committed.

By this stage, hot, a bit sunburnt and feeling the balls of our feet from being on them for sometime, we were all grateful that Pam's knee was getting sore and subsequently returned home. Pizza & salad ready for an early night!

Li much brighter and all in all a great day.