Each month in the Ukrainian language has a specific meaning and October was (жовтень) which in derived from the word yellow. The reason for the Ukrainian word for October is because at the beginning of the month all the trees begin to turn yellow and by the end of the month all have turned. It was particularly remarkable for me to experience some of this beauty of the change of colors in the Carpathian Mountains in western Ukrainian. We were in a small village about 70 kilometers from the border of Slovakia. While we were there I had a chance, for the first time in my life, to gather mushrooms in the forest. Also, to tried to determine which were the good mushrooms and which ones were bad, as in poisonous. Ironically enough the ugly mushrooms were good and the more attractive ones were not. I was grateful I didn’t not have to venture this alone because I would still be lost in the mountains and I would have picked all the bad mushrooms because they were pretty, easy to spot and plentiful. Another first was an encounter poison ivy. It was all over the forest but especially in the places where the mushrooms were. I recognized this early and tried to stay away from it, but one time I ended up knee deep in some, so I just began to pray for the poison ivy not to have any effect on me. Thank God He answered my prayers.
A Few Highlights from the Trip
One highlight of the trip was walking through the small village alone and saying hello to all the people as I passed by their homes. It was funny, one man and woman were working in their yard up on a hill and as I walked by the man stopped what he was doing, ran down the hill and called to his mother to come outside and look. I just smiled and waved. Also I got the experience the dialect of Ukrainian that is called zacarpathian. This dialect is so different that at times other Ukrainians don’t understand what people speaking it are saying. The dialect even has two additional sounds in addition to the sounds in the Ukrainian language.
Another highlight was spending some time with the youth in the church there and worshiping with the believers on Sunday.
Just in case you were wondering November is Листопад – which means leaves falling.
If you would like to see more pictures click here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=121948&id=550104316&l=be17c6c364
10 responses so far ↓
1 Pastor Covington // Nov 3, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Tania you are soooo adventurous….Keep on Trucking
2 Diana Brown // Nov 3, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Dobre Den Tania!
Thanks for Ukranian view of autumn, my favorite time of the year. Blessings to you Tania.
smiles all around,
Diana
3 Cindy Finley // Nov 3, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Tania, it was so good to see you at the beginning of the “yellow month!” I’ve been thinking of you and praying for you often.
4 Zachary Jenkins // Nov 3, 2009 at 9:31 pm
You are a blessing to the missions field. May God continue to bless you forever.
5 John Bjorgen // Nov 3, 2009 at 10:44 pm
Always love your posts…full of fascinating stuff. How’s the language study going? Seems like you’re getting a pretty good handle on it. We’re getting pretty close to heading to Belize…stay tuned.
6 Baxter, Ruth & Joe // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:20 am
Tania, Your letters are always uplifting and inspiring. Now Ruth is getting to know the country of Ukraine where her Mother was born. Thinking of you, Lovingly, Ruth and Joe
7 Terita // Nov 5, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Tania –
I love all of your posts. I feel like I’m there with you. Peace and blessings to you as you serve our Lord. Miss you…Love you!
8 Corrine Davis // Nov 5, 2009 at 10:09 pm
It all sounds so beautiful. Be careful out there. You seem to be learning the language and culture well. Hang in there. I am glad the poison ivy did not get you. It’s always good to hear from you. Love you! Corrine Davis
9 Catrina // Nov 6, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Tania,
It is so good to hear from you. I enjoy reading your updates. May God’s protection, blessings and favor be with you.
10 My Dear Sister, // Nov 11, 2009 at 7:11 am
You are doing a good work and the Lord is with you. It is so good to hear and feel in the reading that you are working hard at transitioning and it is working! All praise to Jesus!
God’s continued favor and blessing be upon you.
You’re made of diamond stuff..You’re a diamond
sure enough.
Blessings,
Pastor Fortt
Leave a Comment