Call us bad parents, but we enjoyed watching Noah wreak havoc in the central square of Lviv.  He unknowingly picked the fastest little car, while his older brother cautiously crept around in a 4×4.  He was bent on hitting a ‘chicken.’

For the grandparents!

View from our Apartment in Lviv

With our two middle boys off at Camp for the week, and a ‘as good as its going to get’ break in my work week, in typical last minute style we off and went to Western Ukraine for 3 days. Wanting to see more of Ukraine, particularly the western part, we headed toward Lviv, Ukraine’s 7th largest city, it’s ‘cultural capital’ with a very rich history.

Established around 1256, Lviv was named after King Danylo’s son Lev, (a Ruthenian). Lev means Lion. Living over here you realize quickly how little North Americans know about European history. As we took a guided tour we embarrassingly had to answer ‘no’ several times to the question, “you’ve heard of this famous King” or “this building was designed by this famous artist, you’ve heard of him right?’ Well, actually, we’re Americans and unfortunately the only thing on our minds when we enter a lovely historic city is, “where in the world are we going to eat?”  We did manage to find some good food.. close call!

Downtown Preparations for Euro2012

Amazing history. Lviv had 3 concentration camps during Nazi occupation, one for Jews, one for Poles, and another for Ukrainians. Unlike eastern Ukraine, there is an obvious Catholic influence, and some gorgeous churches still in tact from the 14-16th Century. It’s closely linked to the Polish neighbors next door, it wasn’t until the Soviet era that Lviv was actually separate from Poland. The City was left relatively unharmed during the most recent wars. When you attempt to drive in a city like Lviv, you become quickly frustrated by the random layout which can quickly leave you dizzy. The stone / brick streets have grown outlandishly bumpy over the many years, they may be OK for walking on, but they are exactly what your suspension does not need. My poor truck left limping all the way back to Kiev, I have to take it to the shop tomorrow.

Large Statue in Center Displays Lviv History

Deb and Rodge enjoying Gloria Jeans Coffee Cafe

We stayed in an apartment, which is more economical and functional for a family over here. It was a special time with the kids, it was amazing how quiet and relatively easy it was traveling without our two rowdy boys. We enjoyed watching Clark and Noah run rampantly around the square, chasing birds they called chickens and reminding us how much fun the world can be through tiny eyes (and brains).

The country is beautiful, and we look forward to seeing more of it maybe next year. We enjoyed getting back to our little town, it truly feels like home.

{{Spoiler Warning – I go off on a rant about the criminal nature of the police below}}

Not sure why we are posing with salad bowl

The negative about traveling in Ukraine, besides the often horrible road conditions, lack of signs or general rules while driving, were the police. I have to say, after 3yrs I am still bedazzled how these guys can get away with their bandit like thievery along the roads. For 500km we were continually on edge as we watched random cars get selected with the ‘magic stick’, we escaped all of them.. except one. In America you can look for speed limit signs, and follow them. Within the known laws, you are relaxed, you are safe. Here, getting pulled over is all about knowing where the speed changes, without any signs most of the time. The changes are often at odd places too, that simply don’t make sense. They lay in wait, usually hidden in a forest or a crosswalk area, with their radar gun. As cars drive by everyone positions their vehicle in the least accessible manner, hiding behind semi-trucks, or getting on the inside lane beside another car. There is almost always someone pulled over, it’s probably the only efficient government run institution. The moment a car pulls off, or sometimes before (they work in two’s, one sits in the car and takes the bribes, the other aims the gun and flags you over), another car is being waved over. I know what you are thinking, ‘well just obey the speed limit’.. trust me, we did this with full intention the entire way there and back, and still got nabbed and only just escaped the sovereign benevolent selection process a half dozen other times. They refuse to give you a ticket, they want you to pay them by cash right there. There is an entire process of argumentation, like a traditional mating dance by those crazy birds you see sometimes on the animal planet.

The average Ukrainian has simply accepted this process, and usually, compliantly hands over a 20-50hrv bill and goes merrily on their way. If it’s not speeding that they can nail you with, it will be a document you are missing, or problem with one of your many documents. The gray parts of the law are many, and exploited when needed. The police rent the speed gun from the police headquarters, they have to pay in some cases $400 per day for the gun and everything above this amount is theirs to split. It is a criminal system, the police, in most cases, ARE the criminals in Ukraine (the road police anyway), and it goes all the way to the top of Ukrainian government I am told (by a reliable source who has family IN the system). When we first moved here, I thought it wasn’t that big of a problem. I mean the poor police are just trying to make a living, they only make $200-300 per month (a normal salary). But they are abusing their power for their own personal good. They are, in my view, the explicit personification of evil in Ukraine and in any nation that rejects God and an objective sense of morality. Everyone is out for their own. The ‘ends justifying the means’ is what allows thugs to prostitute fellow human beings, steal land from unsuspecting grandmothers, and everything in between. Corruption, plain and simple, is at the heart of this country. What makes it so different from America? There’s a continual battle in America, people standing up, presenting arguments, influencing on both sides. Here, the people have only known subjection, war, and defeat. They have been abused by power, not protected by it. It does something to the national psyche when right never wins. You begin to believe that ‘right’ is an allusion, and you retreat off into your quiet little world, hoping never to be noticed. Trying to be a ‘good citizen’ in the midst of this corruption takes a lot of effort, it takes abuse, and you are often stripped away of your ‘rights’. It will take more than Christians or strong valued Ukrainians that are willing to be taken advantage of however if anything will change. It will take public discourse, discontent, and a people that will stand up and shout back when God’s ways are being overtly rejected. God is good, His ways are the best. Don’t believe me, come and visit and I’ll show you the bars where men sit dejected and without purpose in my town. I tell my secular agnostic friends this, you want to see what a communistic social atheist message produces, it’s that guy who wreaks of alcohol who is attempting to drown his misery. God’s ways are higher Ukraine, you don’t have to find this out too late.

We officially want a Segway, $3 gets you 2 minute try!

I write all of that not because I think any of you might think it’s interesting, you probably already know this from living, visiting or reading other sources. I want search engines to pick it up, I want to do my small part with the freedom of press we still have (It is seriously diminishing under this government). The Euro Cup is coming next year, and a will shine a huge light on this country. The government is desperately trying to put the proverbial lipstick on the pig, nice new roads, some new hotels and a new terminal at the airport. I for one am looking forward the what the light reveals, and the embarrassment it will be for Ukraine’s leaders within the international community. The outward changes mean very little, the heart of man is desperately wicked and the answer is Christ. He is THE way, THE truth, and THE life for Ukraine, and every nation!

Thanks for checking in,

Bruce & Deb

We are enjoying (staying out of as much as possible) 30C/90F temps this week, hottest of the year. Everyone is hoping for rain to water their thirsty gardens. Many people are traveling in and out of RZ, summer truly is the time that people do the most moving around. Our two middle boys are going to camp again next week, then our two oldest the following week. We are going to try and go away for a few days with the family to see a bit more of Ukraine. Not sure where yet but determined to get a little more mobile ourselves.

Starting a new bible study next week. Will be teaching through the book of John verse-by-verse, looking forward to it. Sometimes more than the actual content itself, learning ‘how’ to study the bible can be such a liberating experience for believers. When the bible stops being a magic genie and starts making sense, I think our faith becomes meaningful (and helpful!).

I want to praise God for two donations that came in this week for the Cafe. First, a $2500 amount from our faithful home church at Crossroads in Longview, TX. You guys rock! Then yesterday, a generous $330 gift from someone we’ve never met, who visited our site and blessed us. We also heard from Times Square Church and they confirmed they will be sending a team July 20, the actual size is not finalized but for sure 5-6, perfect size for a construction team. They are also sending over a very generous amount of money to help toward the materials used that week.

Thanks for stopping in, appreciate your prayers and support –
Bruce & Deb

Noah's Beach Birthday Party

This morning we jumped in the van and went down to the beach to celebrate Noah’s 4th birthday.  It was the first time we ventured into the Dnepr this year.  It’s not too dirty (yet), and still pretty cold.  It’s great to have this little beach within minutes of the house, even if older people bath in the river sometimes and instead of swimsuits, wear their underwear!

My right (and left) hand, Alyosha

Here’s a picture of Alyosha.  He’s been working with us on construction projects since we moved here.  We’re on our 5th project now, the Cafe, and Alyosha researches and buys all our materials, as well as oversees construction daily.  He’s a good friend to the family now and the kids enjoy seeing him.  His wife Oxana loves to paint and can be found up at Neils in his studio often.   They don’t fellowship with on Sunday’s, but come to many different outreaches / events.

We received $2500 from Crossroads toward the Cafe this week!  We don’t know who gave, but we thank God for the funds, we need them as we’ve been going week to week hoping for an infusion of cash to buy some larger materials.   We’re going to be framing up the kitchen counters soon, as well as installing all the electrical now that the floors are complete.  We need around $20k more toward materials I suspect to finish the downstairs enough to open.

Please continue to pray for Dan.  Tomorrow he goes to Kiev to see some more doctors and they are having to make some tough decisions regarding surgery potentially.  Thankfully his health seems to have returned along with his speech returning to normal.  Pray for his wife Priscilla, who is carrying a lot on her shoulders through this.

I thought this little video was a cute ‘insider’ look of the life of Noah (shot by Brent, somehow on my phone.. they must have cracked my password!).  Noah is rarely found out of character.. I think he’s being Sonic here.

Thanks for checking in,

Bruce & Deb