I'm in the Ukraine!

First of all.... we made it safely.
Second of all... it's FREEZING.
But third of all... it snowed some today! So at least there was a reason for me being so cold :)

So far, I love it. But to be honest, there aren't many places that I've gone in the world and not loved. We haven't met too many people b/c we only got here about 24 hours ago, but our hosts are amazing and have been wonderful. We went to a market today and loaded up on fun souvenirs and headed to a church service. We ended up leaving part of the way through, but our hosts mainly wanted us to just see one example of a worship service. He actually helped plant that church and aparently it has declined in the last few years with their worship attendance. But he said that their small groups are going strong... a bit odd to me, but he said the church leadership isn't worried about it. If he were still there, he'd be worried, but he has helped start another church in the past 5 years that seems to be going really well. They meet on Saturday afternoon though and our flight didn't arrive until after it was over.

We start our Upward conference tomorrow and from what we've heard, many people are very excited about it. So, be praying for us and the people in Ukraine as they hear about what God has done through sports in the US and other parts of the world. Pray that they will be able to help us understand what it would take to help them use sports ministry here!