Tuesday... Walking Through Kyve...

We have walked what seems to be miles and miles as we explored Kiev - which is spelled Kyve in Ukrainian - today.  It has all been immensely interesting.  This city is quite lovely in the parts we have explored.  Weather has been wonderful so we are enjoying outside walking and inside observing.  I will share some of the photos I took today.  The first monastery we toured did not allow photos inside the buildings or on their grounds.  My photos from that place were taken before we entered the grounds.  It was a beautiful place.  There was near total loss of one church during WWII but that has been restored and is in use daily.  Other buildings on the property escaped destruction during the war.

Bell Tower at the Monastery of the Caves.

Entire area which includes underground caves where Monks lived and worked.

View from the grounds of this property.

 In order to get to our next stop, we took the Metro and got off where the 2nd longest escalator in the world is.  We rode it up on our way to our next destination was and rode it back down after our visit.

View of the rear of the oldest entrance into the city.  Above photo is view from the front of that entrance.

Statue of famous hedgehog - from Russian folktale.

 

Arriving at St. Sophia's Monastery...

Bell Tower at St. Sophia's

St. Sophia's

Independence Square

Our day is ending back at our friend's apartment.  We stopped for water and a few items and I took a few photos of some of the apartment buildings in the area.  We are on the 6th floor with a satellite dish on the outside.

More exploring tomorrow.  Time for sleep right now.

Kiev Visit Day One...

Good-bye Chisinau, Moldora...  for now.

Today started at 4:45am in Moldova and is very shortly going to conclude in Ukraine.  We got to the airport about 5:15am, checked in and had time for coffee and a croissant before boarding our plane.  We arrived in Kiev about 8:25, got our bags, found a taxi and were taken to the apartment building which is the home of a couple riwhom our son worked when he spent nearly 2 years as a missionary assistant in Moscow with the Evangelical Free Church Mission.  That couple is in the US but have graciously allowed us to stay in their apartment.  We were greeted by a colleague of theirs who helped us get oriented.

First view of Ukraine...

We settled in a bit but decided naps were needed.  Following naps we walked to the very close grocery store to get supplies for breakfasts and a few lunches.

It was 5pm when we headed off to find the Metro and go to the city center where we strolled up and down some of the favorite streets.  Fun to see the people and the area with many places to shop or eat or tour.

We ate our supper before we returned to the apt.  Now I'll add some photos and then get some sleep.  Lots of things we're hoping to see and do in the next several days.

Started our touring with help to get up a pretty steep hill...

If I knew the names of the sites we visited, I would add them.  Perhaps I can do that later.  First impression is that Kiev is quite clean and has many beautiful places and buildings.  Looking forward to seeing more tomorrow.

Sunday... Day of "Lasts"...

Pretty close to being packed and ready to leave the team house at 4:45AM.  Nearly ready for bed. Good day with sunshine and moderate temp.

Walked to Bethel Baptist which is the oldest Baptist church in Chisinau and maybe in Moldova.  The service is conducted in Russian.  We got there as the choir was practicing and before many others had arrived.  This is a very traditional church.  We sat in the balcony and observed that the men sit on one side and the women on the other.

Choir rehearsing...

Sitting in the balcony...

Choir singing during the service...

Young girls reciting poem...

Young girls singing...

 The service was quite lengthy and had 3 sermons.  A baby dedication took place after the 3rd sermon.

2 baby girls being dedicated.  Pastors holding the girls while praying.

The bus driver had arrived to pick us up so one of our translators suggested we leave.  We had been there 2 hrs and 35 minutes.  The music was great and the sermons probably were also but I didn't understand the words - only the spirit of worship.

Bethel Baptist...

Matthew and his Daddy waiting for us outside the church.  Ivan is our bus driver.  

Natasha got a shirt from Lesley...

Andy's Pizza was our lunch spot...

Spent some sweet moments with Lena before heading back to the team house to pack etc...

Lena and Sarah went with others to a Renaissance Fair after this photo was taken...

Lots of good-byes today.  Those aren't exactly easy but there is a real sense of joy because of the way this week has gone.  We are leaving left over supplies, some clothes and taking with us rich memories and reasons to rejoice.  Heading off to several days in Kiev, Ukraine before returning home by week's end.  The prayers of many have availed much.  Thanks from a full heart.

Saturday... Off to Soroca Fortress...

This was a play day!!!  Two team members spent the day with children they sponsor and the rest of us headed off to sight-see north of Chisinau.  The day was beautiful with a breeze and temps in the mid 70's - much cooler than the past 4 days.  The day gave us a relaxed time with each other and 2 translators plus our bus driver.  Pictures will tell some of the story.  

It was a delight for this Wisconsin farm girl to drive through the lush, rich farmland and observe agricultural endeavors in Moldova.

We headed to Soroca...  Arrived about noon so enjoyed an Andy's Pizza lunch before...

Entering Soroca...

our first destination, the Soroca Fortress.  Dating to 1499, its massive edifice was hard to capture with my little camera.  We enjoyed strolling and climbing around the interior.

Team members plus  translators arrive at Soroca Fortress...

The next photos were all taken from inside the Fortress...  looking up, around and out.

 

Hard to capture in photos because of its massive size...

Elena is such a good friend and great translator leader.  She graduated from University 2 years ago and now works full-time with CERI.  Can't thank and praise her enough.  

Looking across the Niestra River to Ukraine.

This is a little part of what is known as Gypsy Hill.  Visible from a window of the Fortress.

After leaving the Fortress, we drove to another landmark which had a fabulous view into Ukraine.

As we arrive at the Candle of Gratitude...

Not something to climb but something to walk around...

Looking into Ukraine.  

Look closely at top bend in river to see the Soroca Fortress which we'd just left.

Adding another shared experience to our nearly 49 years of marriage...

 Much of the drive was on a wonderful highway funded by the USA...

Huge fields of wheat all along the way.  Saw 2 combines harvesting but it all looks beautifully ready to harvest.

To break up our long drive back, we stopped to enjoy this beautiful monastery.  An evening service with less than 20 people, was in process.  We enjoyed beautiful choral music as we stood just inside the door.

Lovely grounds and flowers all around...

I had been here once before but it's a beautiful spot and I enjoyed seeing it again.

 

Do you think maybe I really, really love flowers?

And then it was 7:15 and we arrived at our team house for a delicious supper.  Great conversation around the table and now about to head to bed.  Loved the day.  God gave this country agricultural and human beauty.  So thankful that I have gotten here a dozen times and am invited to return as soon as possible.   Two team members leave very early for a 6AM flight tomorrow.  The rest of us have another day to enjoy.  Thanking the Lord continually for His provision and protection and joy.