John White - Developing Church Leadership in the Russian Speaking World c/o Eric Yodis, Postal Box 3644, Donetsk 83076, UKRAINE December 2000 jwhite@alumni.princeton.edu http://www.marucheck.net/jw
Life in Donetsk has certainly gotten a lot more interesting these last couple months. Winter has finally arrived, though this has still been the warmest winter in memory. I guess God has been taking it easy on me! But now that it has come, winter has brought many unusual sights. I've seen a little girl skating down the sidewalk (most of which are sheer ice). I've witnessed dozens of people outside beating their rugs in the midst of a snowstorm (a great time to get the dust out, I'm told). And, I've seen lots of people walking around with masks on their faces in order to protect them from the flu epidemic which invariably strikes every year. The flu even sounds scarier here ("grippe"). I've managed to avoid it so far, even without a mask...
But the most interesting part of my odyssey here in Donetsk has been my growing relationship with Carrie Fields, a CBI short-termer. Quite to both of our surprise (initially), God has been drawing us together these last months as we've found how much we understand and encourage one another. Carrie will be returning to the States in March in order to pursue her masters degree in toxicology before hopefully returning to Ukraine to minister to the people here. Please pray for our wisdom and perseverance as we will soon be far apart.
One of the books that I've read recently is C.S. Lewis' Out of the Silent Planet. I found a lot of things in it that apply to my present life and work in Ukraine, both in adapting to a new culture and learning a new language. Don't worry, though - Ukraine is not quite as much of an adjustment as Mars is for the hero in the book!
I would, however, like to share a passage from the book where the hero finally makes a breakthrough in understanding both the language and the culture. This is a wonderful picture of what I'm hoping will happen to me here someday. Consider it as you pray, as well.
To every man, in his acquaintance with a new art, there comes a moment when that which before was meaningless first lifts, as it were, one corner of the curtain that hides its mystery, and reveals, in a burst of delight which later and fuller understanding can hardly ever equal, one glimpse of the indefinite possibilities within.
Pray, too, that as the curtain of sin is lifted in many Ukrainians' lives, the truth of the gospel will be seen and embraced. Pray especially for our professors and friends here in Donetsk.
In His service and by His grace,
John