I think this is a good one to read, people.

Highlights in this Post:

•   Transition from good-byes to hellos
•    I’m goin’ back and takin’ some with me
•    Please consider continuing your support
•    Surprise at the end… (Wait! Don’t scroll down. Ha.) 

Please read my wordy letter and contact me if you have questions! :)

Here I am in the Munich airport. I was here once before—August of last year, before ever stepping foot on Ukrainian uneven ground. What a year it’s been! This last week was full of good-byes. This year, several families that were “old-timers” left to move on to wherever God was calling them next. Yesterday I told someone that I was so glad I came this year to get a chance to know all these people! Even though good-byes are painful, the relationships are so worth it.

You can be praying for me these weeks ahead. I will be busy soaking up some time with my family and friends and planning and living out this summer at Camp Cherith. I have several lists to get through, but I mostly want to cherish spending time with people. This is an interesting transition for me; throw in some culture shock and jet lag, and I might just be an emotional basket case. Please pray that I can continue to rely on the Holy Spirit for my soul restoration!

I will be one of the “newbies” returning to KCA in the fall (I hope you don’t take offense to that, Kara and Caleb… hehe). Ironically, I will be a veteran welcoming several new teachers and families to the international Kiev community. I am super happy to welcome my good friends Bill and Kendra Mohn and their kids Josiah and Katya.

Will you consider continuing your prayerful support of our ministry with missionary and other international families in Kiev, Ukraine? As I was sitting here, munching on some mixed nuts, I scribbled out a list of my needs for the next year. They will be much the same as they have been this year, and I will be taking some grad courses that the school will be helping me to pay for. This year, the community in Kiev blessed me richly. I look forward to giving another year to serve in Ukraine!

Oh, I forgot to mention I get to teach art next year! I will be teaching all the same classes plus adding the middle school and high school art electives. So, I’ll be busy… but oh so thrilled! :)

Winding Down

It’s been a while since I’ve written. The year is winding down fast. Three weeks left of school! In the last week, Kiev has been transformed from the grey, wet, sullen city to a bright, blooming, and cheerful neighborhood. This lovely change in weather has given me the opportunity to take several long walks through some new parts of town.

This week we welcomed some visitors from ACSI (The Association of Christian Schools International) who are here for our reaccreditation. KCA is an awesome school, supportive like a family with the students, parents, and staff… I am so blessed to be here. (After being a student at North Heights Christian Academy, I remember thinking that there’s probably not any other good Christian schools out there in the world… then I went to Concordia, then Northwestern, then I worked at Hand In Hand, now Kiev Christian Academy! I love that God is present and working all over in Christian education!)

Lately my Bible classes are engaging in some deep discussions. I learn so much as I discuss with my kids! The eighth grade class is contemplating the balance of God’s characteristics in a unit called “Contradictory or Complementary?” We talked about God’s love and hate and realized He actually hates because he loves! We completely filled the board with things that are happening in the world today that God hates – things that put the things and people that He loves in danger. Tomorrow I’ll collect journal entries from the students that will reflect on their response to what God hates and loves. It is not our responsibility to take on all the problems on that whiteboard. No, that was Jesus – in fact, God’s wrath has already been spent for all of it – Jesus took it! What grace! But I believe He gave each of us a specific skill set so that we can stand for the things God loves and fight the things He hates. What is he calling you to stand for?

I will be coming home to Minnesota for the summer. I return on May 29^th. North Central Camp Cherith will yet again serve as my “summer home” … this will be my ninth summer on staff! I hope that I’ll get a chance to visit with all you at home who have been praying for and supporting me! Please continue to pray for me as I prepare for these final weeks of school, exams, and my transition to a summer back in America. I would also like to ask you to pray for camp as we are preparing for the summer, we will have a full batch of campers coming through, and I’m believing that God will speak truth and love to them during their time at Camp Cherith!