There were many reasons why I loved Ukraine. The moment I stepped out of the Kiev-Borispol airport I felt it. No, maybe it was the conversation with the Ukrainian man before that on the plane on the way from Munich to Kiev. However, everything seemed pretty foggy then considering I was sleep deprived and I'm pretty sure he had been drinking Vodka. But, nonetheless, something in my soul clicked with Ukraine. I didn't even have to talk with anyone before I knew that this place was something special.
I remember praying to God and saying that my heart felt like a dam with a crack in it, and just two days into the trip my heart burst with blue and yellow love.
Well, first, I was with my best friends. The whole friend thing kind of made everything have a good solid foundation. I was in good standing with everyone so there was no kind of awkwardness with anyone. Plus I love my friends, and we made some of the best memories on that trip together. Particularly late nights in Hotel Ruta and at the Kyiv dorms/cabin rooms.
Then, I realized I loved the culture. Eastern Europe had like never dawned on me, but after going to Ukraine, even seeing Cyrillic text anywhere lights me up inside. I love the history behind the Soviet Union, I love the weather, I love the people, I love everything about it. I love that they are a fiercely independent country. I love who Ukraine is. Every experience I had lit me up. I can physically remember the sights, smells, and the way I felt almost every where we went that I can think of. 9 months later. It's as vivid as if it was yesterday.
It was clear when once I was praying to God and saying that why have I always thought of India, and Pakistan and all these other places I thought I was meant for. And God said to me, (at the time it was raining outside), But what about here? Who will be my light here?
Oh, ok...and from then on, each and every day God spoke to me. Ministered to me. Through someone, or something, or even through prophecy.
I think that was the other thing that made Ukraine so great. God spoke to me A LOT during that trip. One of the most simple yet profound experiences I ever had was from the train to Kyiv from Ternopil. I was sleeping on the top, 'bed' of the sleeper cars, and the window was open so the breeze from the train was hitting me. And I was woken up. Not suddenly, or by someone, but I just woke up. And I heard (God) say, Look Outside, so I did and it was the most beautiful field of sunflowers. And I heard God say, THIS is just for you. I did this just for you! See, this seems so simple, but sunflowers are my favorite flower. And it's kind of a thing God and I have about me being sunshine, so it may seem simple to one reading this, but for God to wake me up simply to show me a field of sunflowers, was so...touching to me. He loves me that much, he KNOWS me, even my favorite flower...to wake me up just so I can see a field of them? Even thinking about it makes me smile and tear up. After I enjoyed that view for a while, I sighed contentedly and went back to sleep.
Or how about the time that God gave me the most powerful word ever. I was at a worship service that I didn't even WANT to be at at the time, and GOD brought the worship leader down to come pray for me, and prophesy over me. I won't necessarily tell the whole story, but basically, it was as huge word with a lot of responsibility but nonetheless changed my life and my outlook on life.
The people. Awgh, so many people God put in my life that even if I only met them and talked with them for a few minutes, I remember everything about them. Everyone I met there, touched my life somehow. Everyone. And of course there were those people that I talked with for hours there, and I still take from those conversations today.
I know God used that trip to teach me. To teach me about himself, his character, his faithfulness, his knowledge of us and each details of our hearts and minds and dreams. But, there was a significance that it took place in Ukraine. But seriously every place we went. I remember and think about like every day.
Ternopil, the coffee shop, the church, Hotel freakin Ruta, the morning prayer, that department store that I can't remember the name of, that flea market, all the thrift stores, our put together coffee shop, the playground down the way, all the buses, the YWAM base, the restaurants, the center square, the park and the lake.
Lviv, the cathedrals, the beautiful streets, the H&M that SO was there, the coffee shop with the beautiful man that was the only thing that could cheer me up...
Kiev, the base, the river, the boat, the subway, the gypsy camp that took 8 millions hours to get to, the department store we stopped at, the autism school, the church (my group) went to with the electric worship, that park where we found Roxy, the OTHER market in Kiev, and finally, all the cathedrals, where God even taught me a profound lesson in his holiness and glory inside St. Michaels in Kyiv.
I mean, I can't get over it. I think that that is God's way of telling me that this is my niche. Ukraine. I mean, I have to get back there. Granted, my heart has opened up to that whole area of Russia, Moldova, Hungary, Romania...etc... but Ukraine, will hold a special significance in my heart. I do not take lightly the old babushka's words at church we visited when I told her I loved Ukraine and she grabbed my hands in hers and said, "Ah I see you with a very handsome Ukrainian man and I wish for you that it comes true!" It was translated, but you get the gist.
I sure do hope I marry a Ukrainian, then I forever get a tie to that country I love.
The very mention of anything Ukraine, be it Chernobyl, a news article, an athlete, an actor, anything, my heart leaps. For so many things, to be back there, to know Ukrainian/Russian already, to live there, to marry a Ukrainian ;), and to be able to walk my cobble stoned niche called Ukraine.
I know that I will become a director one day. I have a feeling I'll become pretty successful too. But it's all in God's timing. My career. But one thing I know for sure in my future is my return to Ukraine.
I basically have not stopped talking about it since I left. A piece of me literally was left there, and I want to go back and get it. I pray that that is soon. And I think it will be. I won't explain all the promises I believe God will give me soon. But, Ukraine has now become a beacon of hope for my future. It represents my future as a whole. My ultimate dream? Filming a movie in Ukraine. Now THAT is the best of both of MY worlds.
Oh God, I hope that it all happens. Especially with the Ukrainian man part ;P!
But, I digress.
The point is I love Ukraine. I'll be back soon. And I don't think many countries can take it's position of significance in my heart.
I miss everyone there, and I hope that they read this. I'll see you all soon. Seriously in the next 2 years for sure.
I love you all.
Love, your honorary Ukrainian, Shelby
