8:25am

We are in the plane in route to Kiev for the Hillsong Conference. Half our team missed their flights out of Simferopol (yet again) as there was some mix up from their flight over. We are praying that British Air can fix the mistake caused by that first delayed flight out of Vancouver.

It's hard to believe our time in KM has come and gone! It seems to have almost caught us off guard and we remark on the many people we weren't able to say goodbye to. Many of the team voice their desire to return. This place definitely gets under your skin with all it's backwards charm, noisy farm animals, old babushkas, and speeding ladas.

We were treated last night to a fantastic Tatar meal in Baxchisary (a neighboring city). It was simple but amazing. The whole team ate for about $20! Our meal was preceded by a short tour of the ancient Khan Palace here in what was originally the capital of Crimea. It was the best glimpse we've had into the mysterious history of this tiny peninsula.

I'm realizing I missed an important part of the week - our last Sunday with the folks here. We were hoping that at least of a few of the crowd from Saturday's PITP would come to church the next day and we weren't disappointed! Lots of new faces, especially kids and youth came out of curiosity to see what church would be like. We were finally able to pull out the dramas depicting the Gospel message, with Maxim wrapping up with a short message and invitation to salvation. We are hopeful that people were impacted for eternity and feel like the connection was made between our joy and the hope we have in Jesus.

The kids have had a great time as well. Levi definitely got a little homesick yesterday, and it took a little coaching to help him hold it together at times. Luke, by just being Luke, caused a young Ukrainian gal to kinda fall for him. She pouts during the church service and mouths "I love you" repeatedly during the worship set, and then goes back to tears and this pretty little pout. It was kinda cute and kinda awkward for Luke on the Djembe :-). Tiana and Jordyn really connected with the girls their age and had to get used to the accepted form of greeting between friends - hugs and kisses (on the lips!). But they adapt pretty well!

Sara has been a trooper on this STM, making sure everyone's where they needed to be, planning and organizing events (even when she's sick or worn out). Her heart is huge and found room for so many here in KM. I think she will have a hard time not returning with the next team (as will I).

Our team was phenomenal as well and you could see the hand of God in it's formation. Joseph, Jimmy, Mike and Amanda, and Mariah - each one filling a key role in our time in KM.

Our two interpreters - Catya and Irena, both became part of the family like I've never seen before. They were superb, and worked so hard all week, not only translating but getting right in there with all the activities. Our cooks and hosts - Maxim and Leena, also became very endeared to our team. Along with cooking "out of the park" Ukrainian meals for us, they also became fast friends. Joseph particularly had a real affinity with Maxim as they both are right into gardening.

And of course, Maxim and Jhenya. I am anticipating the next few days as our family connects with them on a totally different level at this conference. No translator, so it should be interesting on that end, although between my Russian and Jhenya's English we should be okay.