Saved the best for last...

Yesterday I completed my final night of playground ministry.  It was perhaps the most challenging night for me, but I think it turned out to be the best.  10 minutes before we left the apartment to travel across town Chelsey told me that her mom wasn't feeling well and wouldn't be able to do "story time" with the kids.  We had planned on telling the story of the woman at the well and focusing on the topic that Jesus loved others and so we should love others also no matter who they are or what they have done.  When I heard that I was going to have to do the story I freaked out a little.  I don't do so well speaking in front of a group of people and especially in front of a group of people that are from a completely different culture than me.  On the bus ride there I was just focusing on what I was going to say and trying not to freak out.  Once we got there I was feeling a little bit better and then with the encouragement of friends my nerves weren't completely calm, but I was feeling much better about it.

We gathered the kids at the playground and sat them down, I think we ended up having 10 kids, a mom, and a grandma for story time.  I told the kids how there was a woman in a town who had done some bad things.  The people in the town wouldn't talk to her because of the things she had done and she even had to get water from the well at a different time than other people.  One day when she was at the well Jesus came and spoke to her.  He told her that he knew about her sins and still continued to talk to her.  I told them that Jesus sets the perfect example for how we should love others.

Me telling the story and Ed translating

During the story time there was a man on the street that was yelling at the kids and the parents who let there kids come to our ministry.  He was yelling that we were Johovah Witnesses and that people shouldn't let us near their kids.  The grandma in our group told him to go away.  This is a prime example of the spiritual warfare that occurs here in Ukraine.  It's a constant battle, but yesterday we won!! 

After the story we did crafts.  We let the kids paint a well bucket and then played with a ball and sidewalk chalk.  It was such a good day, but I am sad that it is all over.  

 This was the cutest little girl ever.  She has three older brothers and a single dad, because her mom died recently.  They were so dirty, but so happy to have people to play with.  Please pray for this family. 

Four more days before I make my way back to America.  Please pray for a great last few days and safe travels home.