Привет! Hello!
From chilly Ukraine...brrr!
From Home to Home
Yep, Ukraine feels again like home, but I don't want to forget that it is those I love that make me feel at Home. I have been now in Ukraine for five months! I can't believe it. What I thought would be two months, maybe three, has turned in to much. Don't know what I was thinking when I thought I would just come for a bit and then go back and forh. So, God's ways are not our ways...and I'm receiving what He has for me.
With that, I wanted to share with you about what I'm doing, what upcoming plans are, etc... Hope you enjoy! Love and miss you all. Renee'
With that, I wanted to share with you about what I'm doing, what upcoming plans are, etc... Hope you enjoy! Love and miss you all. Renee'
Surprise, surprise...
Before I announce to anyone, I wanted you all to know that last week the unexpected happened...I got temporary residency status in Ukraine. (This is a picture of my little mug shot...looks pretty Soviet, doesn't it?!) Well, of course I did things to help that happen, but if you'd have told me a year ago that I would be sitting here in October 2015, with a document in hand, I wouldn't have believed you.
What does that mean? It simply means that I have permission to be here for a year before I need to renew. Years ago they used to have multiple-entry 3-year visas, now you can only stay 90 days out of 180 without a visa. To continue working here, I needed to make it a bit more official. I am now on the books too, not just a guest.
My plans?...I am continue to work to get the Trauma Healing (TH) program from the American Bible Society established here in Ukraine. I am still living in the city where I used to before, but I have also gone to the capitol of Kyiv twice to meet people who are working with people who have experienced loss or trauma. We are hoping that in mid-2016 we can have a training session here. Right now, I am the only trained to lead these kinds of healing groups in the Russian language. (I have also been working on the translation since late June...working in spurts...and testing it out, adapting it to the culture and to the circumstances.) After that, my plans are to continue to invest myself in other peoples' lives, to find healing, come closer to God, and live a full life, no matter the circumstances. Important for all of us, isn't it?!
Coming home? Because I really had no plans for this (I initially only had plans to be here for two months), I will be coming home sometime this winter/early spring for a few months, to take care of the finances I need, get the things I need to return, attend some important events, and then head back here to keep working. It has been great to be back here, to be honest. I feel very much at home. People are excited I'm here again too. I am opening up new thinking and opportunities for them with this program. So glad to be doing it.
Right now I'm looking at being back in the States in late January and then plan to be back sometime in May. I will let you know for sure when I know.
Getting ready to head off to Indonesia in a couple of weeks to join Sis there for here "Life: As Sweet as Cupcakes" retreat. I will get to do two art components there. It will be fun working alongside Karen and being back in her world again. Now, we will work on her coming to mine. :-) ...and you all too.
I know I need to be calling more. Will do my best. Take good care of yourselves. Skype here is easy too.
Again...love you!
What does that mean? It simply means that I have permission to be here for a year before I need to renew. Years ago they used to have multiple-entry 3-year visas, now you can only stay 90 days out of 180 without a visa. To continue working here, I needed to make it a bit more official. I am now on the books too, not just a guest.
My plans?...I am continue to work to get the Trauma Healing (TH) program from the American Bible Society established here in Ukraine. I am still living in the city where I used to before, but I have also gone to the capitol of Kyiv twice to meet people who are working with people who have experienced loss or trauma. We are hoping that in mid-2016 we can have a training session here. Right now, I am the only trained to lead these kinds of healing groups in the Russian language. (I have also been working on the translation since late June...working in spurts...and testing it out, adapting it to the culture and to the circumstances.) After that, my plans are to continue to invest myself in other peoples' lives, to find healing, come closer to God, and live a full life, no matter the circumstances. Important for all of us, isn't it?!
Coming home? Because I really had no plans for this (I initially only had plans to be here for two months), I will be coming home sometime this winter/early spring for a few months, to take care of the finances I need, get the things I need to return, attend some important events, and then head back here to keep working. It has been great to be back here, to be honest. I feel very much at home. People are excited I'm here again too. I am opening up new thinking and opportunities for them with this program. So glad to be doing it.
Right now I'm looking at being back in the States in late January and then plan to be back sometime in May. I will let you know for sure when I know.
Getting ready to head off to Indonesia in a couple of weeks to join Sis there for here "Life: As Sweet as Cupcakes" retreat. I will get to do two art components there. It will be fun working alongside Karen and being back in her world again. Now, we will work on her coming to mine. :-) ...and you all too.
I know I need to be calling more. Will do my best. Take good care of yourselves. Skype here is easy too.
Again...love you!
The people in my life in Ukraine...
Vera, the "Faith"ful
The name "Vera" means "faith." This is a dear friend from my former years who is a counselor in the local church. She has been faithful to be helping many in need. Through this friendship, I have been able to gain experience with the Trauma Healing program, people have received some healing, and I get great encouragement from her too.
Marina and the 'Mansion'
This is a dear friend who is now a psychologist. She has had a dream for years to open up a center for the development of children and their families. This beautiful building has been standing vacant for over a decade. We are praying that God will give her this building. I am also dreaming of having arts and healing classes there too.
Brother Munther
I met this brother from Jordan (in the Middle East) in March 2015 at my church in Florida. He too is trained in Trauma Healing (TH). He invited me then to come to Jordan to help, but I knew God already had plans for Ukraine. Well, turns out that the Advanced training I am needing is located right now only in Jordan and Kenya! Jordan is a 3-hour flight from Kyiv, so I will be flying there at the end of the month and then directly into Indonesia. Small world.
Healing Group
Here are some ladies from one of the local churches who are part of a healing group where I have been testing out the translation and also testing out the concepts in their culture.
Meetings galore...
...here at YWAM Kyiv. I have been spending time meeting churches, organizations and psychologists who are interested in trauma healing. Here is a leader from YWAM Kyiv (go, Caleb!) who has 5 couples that she would like to have trained.
Spiritual Grandbabies
Here are just two of the little kiddos coming from all of my former students...twins Philip and Sophia. They are such a joy. I have calculated that I have over 45 'spiritual grandkids' from the three groups of students I helped 'raise' back in the day. :-)
....and the places.
Maidan Revolution
Glory to Ukraine! To the heroes glory!
This is a building in Kyiv that was burned out during the Ukraine revolution two years ago this winter. This banner is now like a memorial to the 100+ people who died there.
This is a building in Kyiv that was burned out during the Ukraine revolution two years ago this winter. This banner is now like a memorial to the 100+ people who died there.
Home Sweet Home
Here is the view outside of my kitchen window! I love it! This is walking distance of where I worked from 2000-05. Feels good to be back in the neighborhood again.
Moldovan Monastery
Here is an old monastery in Moldova when I went there to apply for a Ukrianian visa. Got a chance to see some beautiful sites in the country. It was amazing close up too.
How to contact me
I know I'm always off galavanting around, but here's how you can get in touch with me. I even hear that the postal system is better, so I can receive letters and packages here too (hint...hint. :-)
Email: renee.flory.ministry@gmail.com
Website: www.thi.americanbible.org
Location: 49 Gvardeiskoi Divizii 11, Apt 75, Kherson Ukraine
Phone: +38 (095) 245 54 02
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renee.flory.9