Three Friends from Ukraine
Dec 31st, 2007 by John
Marina Maksim and Lena
Over the Christmas holidays we had a visit from three Ukrainian friends, Maksim Rakovich and his wife, Lena, and his sister, Marina.
They flew into Chicago/O’Hare on December 19 and stayed with us until Christmas morning. They enjoyed shopping in Grand Rapids and taking a day trip to Chicago to the Science and Industry Museum. One day Julie took them to Fredrik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park to see “Christmas Trees from Around the World” (pictures above). Marina made some wonderful chicken soup for us and Lena made a Ukrainian dish–3 kinds of vareneke—dumplings (like pierogi) filled with 1) meat, 2) potatoes and 3) a cabbage medley. Yummy!
The three friends are now in Columbia, Missouri attending a prayer conference. Maksim is with an 80 year old friend named Hershel who is Max’s “father in the faith.” Maksim is an excellent interpreter and guide and has often helped me when I travel to Ukraine.
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John,
I read this post in Google Reader which, for some odd reason, as stretched the photos out to about four times their height. I wanted to write, “Why the long faces?” but that doesn’t make sense here.
One of these years I’d like to take the HD camera and accompany you on one of your trips to the Ukraine. I think it would make for interesting stories.
BTW - I’ve been meaning to read your book over the holidays - but now can’t find it in our moving-in mess. As soon as I do, I will read it and blog on it. I can say that Imbi found the book thought provoking. Before it disappeared into the thousands of books that the Kinnons are surrounded by.
Bill,
From a posting viewpoint, when the pictures loaded, I had to take the little corner arrow and drag them to a smaller size. Then I “saved” them. Amen! The pictures must have lost their salvation in the Google reader
I will be eager to hear your thoughts about the book. Let Imbi know that I am glad she found the book thought-provoking.
God bless and have a Happy New Year!