Ukraine Week 1

Hello from Ukraine. This is Mark writing. We apologize for the delay in posting but we have not had much access to the internet.

This week started off with a rough start as Brian's flight was delayed for 24 hours. But the week quickly improved after this rocky start. Luckily, Brian was able to get in a little earlier than expected on Tuesday. His entry into the country was also delayed since his luggage had to be thoroughly inspected. But I'll let him tell you that story. The good news is we were able to bring all of the bags with medicines as well as a medical demonstation mannequin into the country.

We have been very blessed to meet with old and new friends including Sergai Bolyukh, Valentin Fischuk, and Ruslan Tkachuk. Of course they are all new friends to me. In the past 4 days, we have given 3 lectures, visited 3 hospitals, road on 2 different ambulance services in 2 different cities (Kiev and Vinnitsa), and held a clinic for patients. We have had the opportunity to meet new people who we pray will open up new possibilities.

Right now, I am at Ruslan's house on the Ukrainian/Muldovian border visiting with and meeting his wonderful wife and family while Brian stayed in Vinnitsa to finish the clinic (which is why I have internet access and why I am writing instead of Brian). Tomorrow we will meet back in Vinnitsa.

Please continue to pray for our safe travels as well as for continued development of new and old relationships.

Mark on the way, Brian delayed

I saw Mark at the airport today as he left on the Delta flight to JFK, and on to Paris and then to Kyiv. Overnight flight to Paris and then he should arrive in Kyiv at about 5 pm local time.
My flight to Atlanta never got off, after being sent back from near the runway to the gate twice. Atlanta must have had a doozie of a storm, because big jets were ditching into Nashville that got turned away from Atlanta. So I have an unexpected night at home. Catherine and I took advantage and had a nice dinner out.
So, now I am flying through Detroit and Amsterdam tomorrow and then onto Kyiv on Tuesday the 26th.
Fortunately, Mark exchanged photos with Ruslan and Sergei, so everyone knows how the other looks. Sergei and Ruslan will show him Kyiv and we will revise our Kyiv itienrary a bit, but all will be a blessing in the long run, I am sure. Just glad I did not get in a plane and face horrid weather. That would have been worse.

I will try to update the Blog once we are all in Kyiv together on Tuesday evening........