| 13 June 2008 Okay… its been a while since I have written, so many things running around my head. One thing that I have been considering is what have I learned from living in Ukraine. I have grown up in America where we take so many things for granted… I have learned to be more observant and thankful in Ukraine for example.
I have learned to watch my step. Flat even sidewalks are not a given. In many places trees are pushing up the cements blocks. Stairs are not of uniform height everywhere you go. Its quite common to be going down stairs and suddenly be taking a much longer step than you were expecting. Where American safety laws require standard stair heights and runs, there seems to be little ryhme or reason in how steps are designed here in Ukraine.
I have learned to look both ways before crossing the street (even a one way street!). Ukrainian traffic laws seem to be optional. Not all cross walks work and some work only at certain times. Red lights are merely suggestions and some drivers will even honk at pedestrians using crosswalks who are slowing their drive home or to work. I have learned that just because it's a one way street doesn't mean that some one won't go the wrong way or back up long distances to avoid a little extra driving. At traffic circles its quite common (or at least is so on my street) for drivers to take a short cut along the crosswalk to avoid having to go all the way around the circle. Parking on sidewalks is permitted by law, which means cars regularly drive on sidewalks. It's not uncommon to suddenly realize that there is a car behind you waiting for you to get out of the way as you are walking along the sidewalk.
I have learned to appreciate my college education regardless of what it cost me. In Ukraine some university teachers don't care much to teach, and many students apparently do not care to study (this includes international students). Many students and professors are content to call it a business deal. "You pay me, I give you a grade!" I really made sure I got my monies worth when I was in college. I know young people who are attending classes where their professors know nothing about the topics they are teaching and for students wanting to learn, they may have to find their own text books and do their own work on the side so as to learn what they need to learn. Now not all Ukrainian universities are like this, but it seems to be an all too common experience among young people I have talked to.
I have learned to live with a smaller personal space bubble. Public transportation merged with western financial thinking means more people per square meter means greater earnings. I don't much care of being crammed in tightly with many of my Ukrainian neighbors, but it is a way of life. I am just glad I am tall so that I can still get a bit of fresh air and I can usually reach a hand hold. I have also learned to plan just a few things in a day, as public transportation may take a bit longer as I cannot always get a direct route to where I want to go. But I must admit that the metro (subway) is the fastest way to go when your destination is anywhere near a metro stop.
I have learned to appreciate people who pick up after themselves. Ukraine when it comes to trash is like America before the big push for getting people to stop littering. If it were not for armies of people sweeping up and picking up after others, this city (Kyiv or Kiev for you Americans), would be a total mess. There are bottle caps, broken glass, plastic bottles and bags everywhere. Luckily the people who are paid to sweep and clean are pretty efficient. And by 9:00 A.M. much of the trash is swept up, but by evening, things are a mess again. It would be nice to see a "Don't be a litterbug!" campaign here. Not everyone is a mess pot, but there are enough of them to make the countryside a mess.
I have learned to appreciate American women's modesty. Apparently Ukrainian women think that dressing like the cover of Vogue is normal; though sometimes their idea of style is obnoxious as well overly revealing. Some times its hard for a Christian man to find a safe place to rest his eyes.
I have learned to appreciate regular running water. In Ukraine it is quite common to have your water, hot water or electricity shut off. Big cities like Kyiv its not as common, but not all cities have hot water and some have electricity on a schedule. This week and last our hot water is off, while the hot water plant gets it annual servicing. But the water has been shut off totally at least once during these past two weeks for reasons unknown.
I have learned to respect my neighbors and appreciate their help. I am blessed in that our neighbors look out for us. On more than one occasion they have shooed away some charlatan or potential thief. Some of our neighbors are very quick to question strangers in our stairwell to make sure they are legitimate guest or business people. Our neighbors know how to be good neighbors and I am learn from them.
I have learned what hospitality can look like. Ukrainians take grate pride in being generous with their guests. The crazy thing about it is the poorer the person, the greater the sacrifices and work they are willing to put into it. It is wild to think how those who have so little will sacrifice so much for a stranger. I am humbled by such people even if its just a culturally driven ritual, they still share greatly with we who already have so much. I have learned to see the world from a non-American perspective. Growing up in America I use to think we were the center of everything good and true. But I have met people from Ukraine, Iran, Lebanon, Cuba, Russia, Kazakhstan, Germany, Brazil, Peru, Uzbekistan, India and more. And I have come to the conclusion that America doesn't own the market when it comes to wonderful people, or redeeming cultures. No culture has it all right or all wrong. But I am looking for and finding people who reflect the values of God's heavenly Kingdom. Borders may matter to politicians, statesmen and patriots, but to God the only thing that matters is the state of a person's heart and the words and actions revealing said state. My brothers and sisters are not those who confess their allegiance to the flag, but those call Jesus their Lord, and live like His children. I may have been born in Canada, carry an American Passport, I may be registered to live in Ukraine, but my citizenship lies with Him who is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
I pledge my allegiance to The Lamb.
In Him,
Alan
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