July 12, 2010

July 12, 2010  L'viv
  Wow, what a day!  This was definitely the day that the Lord had made and we all rejoiced and were glad!  We began at 8:45 in the Student Center to make the final preparations for Kids Camp.  At 9:15, some of us went down the four flights of stairs to direct the children , some wore sandwich boards to advertise our camp. Others were ready at the top of the stairs to register our campers, while still others were in the Students Center to greet them.  Our recruiting walks through the parks the previous day paid off, sixteen children came!!  We began with singing, then to our Bible study on Joshua.  Our theme for the day was "God is with me.  I will stay close to God."  As Julie told the story, Rhys and Max, an interpretor, acted it out.  Next we had our science center on seeds and our craft center of sit-upons.  Our snack was gold fish, a new food, cookies and juice.  The campers then worked on a mural on today's them of walking with God and played games.  It was an incredible morning.
  After lunch, we were off to pick up trash at a park,.  The director of the park was so pleased, he invited us to tea.  From the trash pick up, we walked to the highest point in the city, Castle Hill, a 14th Century stone fort that was L'viv's birth place. Shannon had told us how Ukrainian women dress up.  We saw excellent examples as we walked up the steep steps and winding cobblestone incline.  Many women wore high heel sandals, compared to us in our tennis shoes. On our return to the hostel, some stopped to shop for great bargains at an outdoor book market.
  For dinner, we had a banquet prepared by students from the Student Center, especially Olya and Maryanna.  We began with a vegetable beef soup, then parsley potatoes and finally wrapped zucchini with garlic mayo and tomatoes.  Delicious! Olya said that the reason it was so good was because of the many hands that prepared it.  After cleaning up, thanks to Charlie, Eric and Rhys, we went to the center of the city for coffee.  The rain added a little excitement!  Glen and I returned by tram.  Everyday we see God at work.  What a joy for Glen and me to be a part of this incredible team.  I cannot say enough about the young adults.  They are awesome!
Blessings,
Suzanne Bottoms