Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Transportation is something that is always fun in small doses. Everybody gets excited about short flights, short train rides, and short drives, but you don't typically see people get excited about 10 hour flights, 6 hour train rides, and 4 total driving hours. As most of you know, I was a little anxious about traveling alone, and I was especially concerned about going through customs at the airport by myself. God placed people in my path throughout the entire trip to comfort me, guide me, and just make me laugh. In New York, I got to chat with this couple coming home from a trip to Ireland. They reminded me of my grandparents, and they were so encouraging. They even watched my stuff for me, so I could check on my flight. Also, when you are about to be on a plane for more than 2 hours, the person you will be sitting next to for the entirety of the trip becomes a little important. Luckily, I sat my a man who was around my dad's age from Georgia. He was on his way to a small city in Ukraine for business. He was so kind to me and kept me laughing most of the trip. He was even somewhat protective of me and helped me getting on and off the plane. He even hung back from the crowd to make sure I made it to the line for customs. God definitely put him in my path for a reason. One of my concerns was that I wouldn't know how to get down to customs, and once again, throughout the entire trip, God was reminding me that I could trust Him. He was constantly reminding me that He will never leave my side. No matter how many modes of transportation it took to get me here, I am now settled into my new home for the summer in Kharkov, Ukraine, and I am so excited about what God is going to show me and use me to do.
This week, I will mostly be getting used to my surroundings and doing some preparation for the rest of my summer. Today, I have been recooperating from my traveling, and I will be going shopping for some essentials and eating dinner with a couple missionaries that I will be working with this summer. Throughout the rest of the week, I will be doing a wide array of things. I will be helping Wendy(the missionary I am staying with) with a ladies' international small group focused on relationships. I will also be meeting with my translator who will be helping me all summer. She will be translating for me at the kids backyard Bible clubs that I will be leading each week, and she will also be giving me some Russian language lessons. I hope she doesn't get put out with me, because I have never had to seriously learn another language.
Thank you all for your prayers as I traveled. I can honestly tell you that I could feel your prayers, and God was guiding me and protecting me every step of the way! I love and miss you all very much, and I am so excited for my parents, aunt, and the rest of the MS team to join me here in just a few days!
Until the whole world hears,
Jenna
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them was raised again."
2 Corinthians 5:14-15