WOW, Guess what ? I made it! The day before I left South Africa I heard that there wouln't be anybody to pick me up at the airport... I stressed! I know my Russian is not enough to get me here! Before I left I asked my Mother to pray, and to ask others to do the same. After that I was more relaxed about it all, "I'll make it... I might just have an extra story to write about." I thought. And that was the way it was. I had an adventure! Bit confusing at times, but looking back, "It was great getting to Reni!!!" I think so many times in my life I'm stressing to much about something or other. I'm always going through something that’s not enjoyable, or there are always some or other hick-cup that spoils that which I am doing.. In the month that passed I realized, that when we look back at something that we went through which at the time wasn't particularly nice, we often remember it as something special that took place. For example: when I was in Reni earlier, I wrote about a bus trip I had. It was a horrid trip!! The bus was crowded and I didn't enjoy it. Yet, later looking back on it... It is something I remember with a smile on my face. Often, there are big rocks in our "life’s road"... We bump our toes, and even fall over them and in the end sit in ash because of our mishaps. I often forget to look at the road ahead, I don't look at the scenery, and I miss out on an great journey! Don’t we all? Let’s look at the bigger picture! Take you focus of the troubles and look up, let’s look at the Lord. I had to wait 4 hours in Zurich for a connecting flight, so I met with one of my friends from OM, Benjamin. The next flight to Kiev was also uneventful...I landed in Kiev, and almost had some problems with the customs people asking questions... but the Lord was with me, and I had no problem. Walking into the main arrivals hall, I shot past all the “Blood Sucking Taxi” Drivers, walking as if I knew exactly where I wanted to be. From Kiev I was supposed to take the bus to Odessa, but I didn't know where to get the bus, so I asked at one of the booking offices about the plane the flies to Odessa. The lady promptly says, "Not at this airport..." and points to another airliner company office. I thought her English must not be to good, and that she had meant to say, "No with this aircompany". At the other office, the lady gave me an ticket, and only then does she inform me that the plain leaves in two hours time form an airport on the other side of the city! Ooops, there comes the Taxi... So, I took a taxi to the other airport, only to find out later that I could have taken a bus for a tenth of the price! At the other airport, no one understands a word of English. Halfway through the check in process, one of the officials see through the xray I have something in my luggage that he couldn't allow on the plane. I had closed my bags with tie-straps, so I had some difficulty to open it to take the object in question out. The person behind me, an Ukrainian fisherman working in America, just said... "Baggage!" and what do you know? The official, realizing the 25kg bag is not hand luggage, lets it go through. Needles to say, I stuck close toe that fisher-man (Serioge)! On the plane I asked him about the airport, if there is an cheap hotel nearby, if one will be able to sleep in the airport, if there is an bus in the evening to Reni, etc. You can see I was panicing… When we got there, he started to arrange a taxi for me... I did not know what to do, but then the person that came to pick Seroge up, offered to take me to the bus station. The next bus was only leaving in the morning. And that finalised it. I was offered accommodation at the drivers house for the evening. With in 10 minutes of getting to there - home, and the wife, just to happy to have visitors, gets out the family photos. I had a bath, and thought, “I'll have an early night...” Ha! That’s what I though! I was whisked to Serioges flat. The family was celebrating his return from 6 month of fishing. So, I was treated to the great hospitality! By twelve o'clock we arrived “home”. Early the next morning I was treated to some "sala" (raw pig fat) before being whisked of to the bus station. And I was in Reni that afternoon. The trip took a bit longer than last time, and cost a bit more... (with the blood sucking taxi drivers and all). But one thing is for sure! I enjoyed it! So, the moral of the story is this: There are always two ways something can end. The same things will happen, its just what do you do about it. Do you see it as a story you can tell people about, or do you get stuck about what is happening. I stressed big-time! I was all worried about what could have gone wrong. And when it did go wrong, I could have cried and chucked ash on my head and maybe not even continue to Reni... But no, I chose to enjoy it! And see how great it all worked out. The weather here is great! It sounds like I missed the big chill! It’s now a nice -2, melting snow and lots of MUD! I got my cell... +380677914647 Feel free to SMS me and tell me how much you love and miss me. Please pray for the Radio Station! The people with the license have been asking more money that originally agreed upon. It is only by lots of prayer that the radio station will get anywhere. Please also pray for me. Pray that I will be able to focus on the Lord and that I will be able to "walk" with Him daily. Praise the Lord that I got here. We serve an awesome God. It is also great to see all the familiar faces here in Reni. I went to a prayer meeting last night, and didn't under stand a word, but it was just GREAT to be there! I praise the Lord that He has called me to these people. He loves the people of the former USSR and wants them all to know him Personally! Please pray that the Great Message of Freedom will be able to go out to these lovely people. Pray that the people the Lord has called to bring this message will be able to "step out" and "speak out". If you would like to get more involved with the work here in the Ukraine, Russia or any of the former USSR states... Contact me. May the Lord bless you with all His riches! Al the Pote