Arrived London 1:30 pm local time. Admirals Club, first class room. Food and drink. Showers. (Thanks, Bruce.) - George is leading us in discussion of chapters 1-3 of J.I. Packer’s “Knowing God.” We are all eager to know God, and so we have keen interest in the book. Thanks, George, for leading us.
- On to Kiev via Frankfurt.
- I love Bruce’s leadership model: keep up. He is one fast walker, with real purpose, and not much use for a rear view mirror. In a congested airport terminal, getting separated is not theoretical.
- Truly this is a definition of a leader: whether anyone is following. Keeping up.
Arrived Kiev 2:00 am on 22 July, 12 hours after the scheduled time. Victor picked us up at the airport and took us to an apartment in Kiev we rented for the next two days.- Victor is the head of Ezra International in Ukraine. Ezra International was originally formed to assist Jews living in the former Soviet Union to migrate to Israel. The Ezra International ministry to children in Kiev is a division.
- Ezra is no small operation, and driving midnight airport shuttles is not Victor’s usual responsibility. But he is delightful, and as we will find out more in the days ahead, he is really a remarkable person. He is in love with Jesus. He has a wonderful, positive servant attitude. He is a steady, wise and friendly hand on the tiller.
- Sarah, Bruce and Anne’s daughter, was there to greet us at the condo and help with luggage in spite of the late hour. She had done grocery shopping and set up the apartment for us. This hard-working servant’s heart in Sarah will prove itself daily for the next 10 days.Sarah has been on the ground here many times for the last 12 or so years. She lived in Kiev for 1 1/2 years. She speaks Russian and will interpret for us. We have another interpreter who will join us but it ends up he must depart prematurely for family needs, and that will leave Sarah unexpectedly with a substantial translation burden for the three guys from America.Sarah knows the city. She knows the ministry and the ministers. She loves the kids. She is trained in education and social work, and uses her training effectively. And she serves abundantly in the most practical ways that will make life for us, George and me especially, so much easier.
- Bruce’s leadership model of “keep up” is not just about walking. It is about being purposeful and focused. It is about moving forward in spite of obstacles.And it is about commitment and intentionality to follow.
- The benefits of being close in tow with our fearless leader are great: three Admiral’s Club lounges, and not just the “basic” private club, but inside, the First Class lounge; business class; concierge travel services for rerouting after flight delays. Choose wisely who you follow.
- But the real trail blazing we will be following is yet to be revealed: his pioneering of multiple ministries to very needful kids, in a land distant from home, with complex cultural history and mixed, often limited resources.
- I’m committed to keeping up.
~~~
duane horning
notes from a sojourner
