Today was a great day. After almost six years of living in Ukraine, I conducted my first meeting totally in Russian. I have been praying a long time for God to enable me to speak more comfortably to those which He has placed a burden on my heart.
Last night at 10 PM, my assistant and translator, Nika called to say she was ill and probably not be able to work the next day. We had scheduled a meeting with the directors of two Ukrainian schools for disabled children to prepare for a conference coming up in May featuring Bob Buckendorf, a speech pathologist from Portland, Oregon.
Only Nika and I were holding down the fort at the office, since the rest of our team was on break. It was too late to try to find another translator. The phone numbers for the people I was meeting were at the office and there was no time to get to the office before the meeting.
I can’t say I was perfect linguistically or that I understood all that was said to me but their smiles and head nods indicated I was understood by them. We have a basic plan of action, made decisions about what will happen, when it will happen and where it will happen. I know who is going to be responsible for each phase of preparation. We closed in prayer giving God the glory for the great things He has done. Indeed, it was a great missionary day.
Molodets!
Way to go Pops!!! Love you!!!
Hi Jim,
Sorry for not getting back earlier. I have asked Tonya again about talking to the head doctor and she is planning on speaking with him early this week when she is in at work.
Jake
Hey,
I was just taking some time to read a few blog posts and I came across your site. I’m a high school student and I’ve been on four missionary trips so far and I love it! I think what you’re doing is awesome and I’m happy for you that you were able to break the linguistic barrier. My hope is to go on missionary trips in the future, not as a student but as a doctor. I’ll be visiting this site often. God bless you =)