Another trip to Ukraine

I leave this afternoon for my 5th trip to Ukraine. This time around, I'm going by myself. No team, no program. Just a visit to some dear friends. I'll be there for around 10 days, only 2 of which I will spend in Kharkov with the kids from camp. Although I was initially really disappointed to only have 2 days with them, I'm thankful for the opportunities to meet with some great people in Kiev about future plans there. I hope to gain clarity and further direction on whether I am indeed supposed to move there at some point or what job/ministry I could be involved in as well.

I am excited to have the chance to spend time with and be hosted by several different friends. I'll be spending New Years with Lesya and Josh, then going to Kharkov for two days. Coming back to Kiev and then going to spend Orthodox Christmas with Julia S. and her family...and then finishing up my last couple days in Kiev at Andrey, Alla, and Josh's place before coming home. It is a very full week and I'm excited to experience it.

My prayer is all about expectations. This trip didn't turn out to be what I initially thought it would when I first made plans to come. I'm sad that no more American friends were able to make it this time and that we're not spending the whole week in Kharkov with the kids. But as the Lord really showed me last winter on a lonely overnight train, He's taking care of me in ways I could never predict and often don't understand. So please pray that I would actively lay down my expectations about how things "should" go and live in a spirit of thanks while I'm there. Thankful for each moment the Lord gives me with the kids and with friends.

Also, please pray for safe travels. I'll be flying ATL-Paris on the way there and JFK-Paris coming back. So I'm hoping for no snow storms! We'll also be taking an overnight train from Kiev to Kharkov and then back again so prayer for safety and sleep during that time will be great.

I will have access to e-mail, Facebook, and Twitter while I'm there which is different than my usual cut-off-from-civilization time at camp in Ukraine. So feel free to keep in touch! I hope to post pictures and updates throughout the trip.

E-mail: heatherharris15@gmail.com

Twitter: @hhthewhiz

Thank you for all the prayers and support!