My trip to Ukraine…
Wednesday was started with my Polish class and then packing, nap and off to the train station. I took the fast train from Warsaw to Krakow. It was a blessing to have the train station attached to a mall. This way, I had a chance to walk around a bit and grab something to eat. Then there was the wait for the next train…it was 2 hours late. Thankfully the train was a sleeper. I got the middle bunk, Miriam from Holland was below me and Jolia & Maria (mother and daughter were above me). Thankfully Miriam told me that they would be asking for documents at the border, then 4:15 AM, train came to a sudden halt, bang on the door, and documents were requested. Thankfully the passport was stamped, then on to the next stop… another wake-up call and passports handed off again…this time for longer and train started moving. Then realized the controllers were still on the train, we got our passports back and they left the train. Early Thursday morning, train arrived in L’viv, Ukraine – stepping off train, felt like a step back in time… Denise met me and we were off. It was great to fellowship with a sister in Christ, who has faced many of the similar trials and truly gets it! I was thankful for all the knowledge she shared with me and a chance to see L’viv. Left early Friday morning, I hopped on a sleeper train to Krakow. After the passport checks and getting the stamps I needed, we had to wait around for tire change (that took about an hour). I climbed down from my bunk and offered Katarzyna some granola bars…she proceeded to give me food in return. Thankfully I made it on time, to catch my next train back to Warsaw. I was very thankful to be home and praised God for all that He showed me on this venture.
Coffee cup version…
Wednesday, my Polish class went well. I am actually retaining more than I thought. Then it was time to pack, take a nap, try to find Dr. Pepper (a can was all Denise requested – and I could not find it) and off to the train station. I took the fast train from Warsaw to Krakow - that was about 3.5 hours. It was a blessing to have the train station attached to a mall in Krakow. This way, I had a chance to walk around a bit, hunt for Dr. Pepper (again no luck) and grab something to eat. Then there was the wait for the next train… Besides speaking in Polish, the announcer had the microphone too close to her mouth. So I was able to make out my train number and pretty much watched the reaction from the crowd to determine if this meant there was a delay or train was not coming at all. At one point, I made out that the train was 100 minutes away… so needless to say – it was a long wait (about 2 hours). I am so grateful to Beth for giving me “Case for Christ” to read…I got almost halfway by the time the train finally arrived. Schlafwagen #35 (sleeper train)came and they did separate guys from girls. There were 3 beds – I got the middle on, Miriam from Holland was below me and Jolie & Maria (mother and daughter were above me). Thankfully Miriam game me the heads up about the early wake-up call, because he had traveled by train before. Then 4:15 AM, train came to a sudden halt, bang on the door, and documents were requested. Thankfully the passport was stamped and she only asked me where I was going (think it was because I was the only American this time, but thankful that is all she asked), then on to the next stop, the doors flew open again and passports handed off again…this time for longer period of time and the train started moving. Then I realized the controllers were still on the train, you have soldiers walking back and forth, looking in the rooms…nothing like being wide awake as your heart is racing! Oh the hissing sound of short bursts of steam did not help any either. Then we finally got our stamped passports back and they got off the train. We got a little more sleep, then received coffee & croissant filled with nutella – yummy breakfast. Arrived in L’viv, Ukraine – stepping off train, felt like a step back in time… Denise met me on the platform and then we shuffled through the crowd to a bus. It was great to fellowship with a sister in Christ, who understands the challenges of moving to another country, learning the language & culture, and the challenges of being a single woman. I was thankful for all the knowledge she shared with me and a chance to see L’viv. I got to see the soccer stadium from a distance, but seeing the differences of one country to another. It makes me appreciate my mission field more … it was a very humbling trip. Early Friday morning, I said good-bye to a sister in the Lord and hopped on another sleeper train, this time I really did not feel like sleeping, but my bunk was the top one. So I climbed up and got as comfortable as I could to read. After the passport checks and getting the stamps I needed, then I climbed down from my bunk. We had to wait around for tire change (that took about an hour). I offered Katarzyna some granola bars…she proceeded to feed me a whole meal…cucumber, hard-boiled egg, cheese and tomato. I only had the granola bars to offer. We had a chance to talk a little – she is a retired teacher, her son studies in Ohio and only knows a little more Polish than English. It was fun talking with her – even if we had to throw in hands and feet. LOL Then once the train started up again – she took a nap and Ola (the other Ukrainian woman in cabin) too. So I read – actually finished the book, started working on “Polish in 4 weeks” and looked out the window as much as I could. Katarzyna asked what book I was reading and when I showed her “Polish in 4 weeks” – she and Ola laughed. I said that I did not expect to learn it in 4 weeks, but using it to help me with my weekly studies. Thankfully the train made it on time to Krakow, so I was able to catch my next train back to Warsaw. Katarzyna said “good-bye” to me out of the window and waved. It was like I made a friend that I may not ever see again – all over offering a granola bar. I was very thankful to be home and praised God for all that He showed me on this venture. Also thankful for Denise sharing her heart, putting up with a ton of questions and her hospitality! It is neat to see the Lord’s hand continues to work in my life – bringing 2 people together after over 15 years. God is good, all the time! Now this week to get the visa paperwork completed and filed. Lord willing, everything will go smoothly and I will be given permission to stay longer in Poland. Thanks so much for all those who were praying for me – I am so thankful that I am not on this journey alone!
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
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