Here are some pictures from the Auburn group and their activities.

This is a group shot of one of the classes that my parents taught.

This picture is from the last night activity where students just came to have conversations with the Americans.

This is Salvation Church. It is the church that we attend here in Poltava.

3/21/09 - Erin and I went to Ira's to teach our middle school English Club for a couple of hours. Afterwards we met Hannah at the large grocery store for some much needed food. Since we had been sick and eating at the church we had NO food at the flat. We decided early to take a taxi back so we really piled in the food! The rest of the day was spent resting from the past week.

3/22/09 - I love that church doesn't start till 1 PM because I get to sleep in! It was so nice to get to go back to church after being sick for so long. It was an interesting and informative afternoon. We met 6 more Americans this morning in church, they are from Illinois. We also learned that we are suppose to be going around with them all week teaching classes this next week. Now did anyone notice that we just met these people? NO ONE TOLD US THAT WE WERE SUPPOSE TO DO THIS!!! So we had re-plan our entire week and cancel some classes but others they are going to have to work around. The concern is that there will only be two of them in each school and they are all adults. In the Auburn group there were students that the students here could relate to. Who relates to old people?  Just kidding. We also have no idea about their lesson plans or if they know anything about the students they will be teaching. It will be an interesting week! Please pray for this group and that God works through them and that they turn out better than we all think. So this will be another exhausting week, please pray that God gives us strength and wisdom to deal with situations. 

3/20/09 - Today everyone went to Kiev for some sightseeing and gift shopping. It was a long bus ride but most everyone slept because we had to get up so early. The entire group did a great job dealing with the metro and the trolley ride up the hill. We went to St. Michael's and St. Sophia's Cathedrals. We called Joanna (a Hands On girl in Kiev) and met up with her for the day. It was then time for shopping and my parents racked up! I just stood back and held the bags. The three of us girls had to leave early so we could catch the train back to Poltava. Saying bye was hard for everyone, especially my parents. The train ride was interesting. We rode first class so we were in a booth type thing with 3 other people, a dog, and a floral arrangement. The dog spend a good bit of time sitting on my feet. We got home and went straight to bed for some much needed rest.

The three of us and Joanna in front of St. Michael's.

Today was the last day of classes for the Auburn group. They all did a great job and everyone really seemed to enjoy it here. Tonight went great! I was surprised at how many students we had come and some were new. The Auburn group did a great job of spreading themselves out among the tables to talk. Erin, Hannah and I stayed near the back and would watch to make sure everyone had someone to talk to and if not we would jump in. Vova gave a short but great message tonight, so I was told since I did not understand it. There seemed to be many great conversations and seeds were sown. We all leave EARLY in the morning at 7 to head to Kiev for sightseeing and shopping. Erin, Hannah and I are going with them but will take an evening train back to Poltava.

I finally made it to classes today. Thankfully we only had two. The group works awesomely together. My Dad does a short introduction and tells about the activities that will be going on and then my Mom, Chris, Justin, Allison and Priscilla take over. They split the class into 5 small groups and go through different language activities. They are all amazing to watch. Mom really seems to enjoy the time with the students. After our classes, the group wanted to go shopping so we went to the bazaar. Andre led us so we walked, we then walked from the bazaar to a pizza place. I was so exhausted from walking that I left the group and went home to sleep. I did meet back up with everybody for dinner. Tonight's theme was country. The group did an incredible job! The students loved everything. They taught them how to line dance, lasso, and even Sweet Home Alabama! Everything was a hit. It was then home to rest for the last day. Tomorrow is the group's last day here and tomorrow evening is the most important. It will be a time to have discussions with Americans. Please pray for the Americans and that they have wisdom in what they say and how they handle conversations. Also pray for the Ukrainian students that they will be open to where ever the conversation may lead.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Today I am feeling so much better! I have energy and feel good, just still have a hacking cough. I rested up today for tonight's activity. The theme for tonight was Hollywood. The Auburn team did an awesome job with all that they had prepared. They gave some background on Hollywood, did some trivia, and had movie clips to use for discussion. Andre then gave a short message on popularity. The rest of the evening was spent mingling with different friends that everyone had made. Tomorrow I plan on pulling a full day with classes and all. My parents really seem to enjoying everything and seem to in their element. Please pray for all the students that are coming to the nightly activities and that they are receptive to what they hear.

For Hollywood night everyone dresses up. Here we have Darth Vader, paparazzi, and Tinker Bell. Better know as the Kinard family.

I am feeling better today. I think it all has to do with the home remedy of Mom, ok the drugs help too. Especially the one that only says it will make you dizzy and drowsy buy instead makes you dizzy and loopy! But hey my fever if wearing off and my cough is fading and that is what counts. So later I figured out that I was not taking an antibiotic and Ibuprofen 800 mg like I thought. I was taking Ibuprofen 800 mg and Ibuprofen 200 mg! Now I know why I was so loopy! Now I am on the right medication and on the road to recovery. Mike dropped my parents off this morning at the flat so we could spend some time together. We had a couple of hours and I asked all the questions I could about how they pulled off this surprise! It was wonderful to spend time with them. They then headed off to church with Erin and Hannah. They will also be getting a tour of Poltava today! This afternoon was really rough. I am so tired from sleepless nights and my coughing gets worse if I lay down. Exhaustion finally set in and I don't remember much till Mom called to check in on me for split second. Wish I could tell you about their day but I don't know. I do know that they spent their evening getting ready for their classes tomorrow. I know they are going to do a great job!