A Semester in Ukraine: The Long Trek to Church

In Erie, church was about at 15 minute drive away. In Ft. Collins, church was about a 7 minute drive. At BYU, church was about a 5 minute walk. Here in Kyiv, church is a TWO HOUR trip, by metro, bus ride, and trudging through the snow!! I gained a whole new appreciation for church today.

A Greek Orthodox church, all over Kyiv.

Because church is so far away, our whole group of ILP teachers decided to spend the night at our head teachers house last night and figure out how to get there together in the morning. Seeing as there is about 30 of us, and only 3 beds, most of us had to sleep on the hardwood floor (which actually isn't that bad, since our normal beds are almost just as hard).

Talking to the other ILP teachers, I realized that I really have it easy compared to most Ukrainians. We live in a clean, modern apartment with a tv, wireless internet, and our own room. I got to hear about other teachers who have no internet, no tv, no drinkable water, no real bed, and rooms that they share with the whole family. One teacher even shares a room with a one-legged man whose apartment smells like feces and alcohol. I'm so grateful that I have such a great host family. I really got lucky.

Our trudge through the snow towards the temple :)

The next morning, we woke up early and left at 8am for church. We walked through the slush and snow, caught metro for about 15 minutes, trudged along some more until we found our bus stop, rode the bus for about 30 minutes, ended up missing our bus stop, then had to back track along the slushy highway until we finally got to church, almost 2 hours after we left. It was an interesting feeling walking through the snow along that highway, though. The temple was in front of us, and in between billboards and advertisements, you could see its beautiful steeple. I felt like a pioneer.

We go to the "Kyiv International Branch"in a little church right by the temple. The ILP volunteers alone more than doubled the size of the branch. But it's so nice to go to church in Ukraine. The bishop and all the couple missionary couples were so excited for us to be there. They even had a little branch party after church to introduce us. It's comforting to know that no matter where I go in the world, I always have a home.

Well, tomorrow I start teaching! Me and Katy teach the morning classes, from 9am-1pm. I have my lessons planned already for the next week, but I'm still really nervous, so wish me luck!!

Here are some pictures of our trek to church :)