It's Thursday night, 11.30p local time (New York). I can't believe I'm here, back in the States. I MISS KREMENCHUK.

It is weird to write this last update, but it just seems appropriate, to finish off the travel part of U08 once and for all.

Wednesday morning, about 25 people from NHC came to our hotel at 7.30a to see us off; so lovely of them, and so wonderful to be captured in love once more before leaving. Again, it was wonderful to be able to say "See you soon," and know that it would definitely be true, and not just a strong wish or possibility. Less tears this time, I think, because we were all carrying the sheer joy of being able to say that we'd see each other next year.

Kiev is beautiful in the summer, albeit hot - especially when you're walking around all day.  We were going to cap the evening off with a river-boat ride down the Dnipro River.  That was before we discovered it was a DISCO cruise.  Rock on ... but no.

Our Kiev hotel plans fell through, so Pastor Sasha's friend hooked us up with some dormitory rooms in the First Baptist Church / Bible College.  What lovely rooms (with great water pressure in the shower too!)...  and mostly, I was overwhelmed not just by the comfort of the place, but by being able to be hosted by believers, to rest and sleep in a place of faith.  It seemed the best way to spend our last night in Ukraine.  And I am touched by this church/college (and so many like it around the world) that opens its doors to other believers, as a service of grace and love in Christ.

Our adventures (dare I call them travails?) lasted through our arrival in JFK: immense passport control lines, full-body pat-downs, re-entry delays, etc. etc. etc.  I am so tired that my immediate short-term memory is all I can muster up right now -- a late dinner at my parents' house -- and it's a wonder I drove home in one piece given how delirious I am.  I expect the rest of the team feels the same.  That we are glad to be home, but are missing Kremenchuk and our friends at NHC so, so much.  That we wish we could go back, and bring all of NHF (and yes, a couple of bottles of kimchi) with us.  That we wish we could see on a constant basis the glory of the Lord being made real in love and power throughout the city.  That we are determined to be consistent and devoted in prayer for these most precious members of our extended family.  That we hope to be able to tell everyone at NHF accurately and with great love everything that God showed, taught, revealed and empowered over the last 12 days.

We're home now - safe, unharmed, so hugely blessed and inspired.  But please do continue in prayer for our U08 team as we re-acclimate and debrief.  And always, always, please remain in loving and powerful prayer for NHC and all of our family members there. 

Yaaaaawwwwwwn. 

At the end of this day, blessed be the name of the Lord.  Slava Bogu ("Praise God").
Love,
Cathy