Day 22 - Ukrainian church with Vagif and Yarik - Sunday Oct. 9

So we got the boys up and ready for church in enough time to walk there. The morning was kind of dreary, with a slight mist in the air. So much for the straightening the hairdresser did yesterday. We took the umbrella just in case it got bad. We found our way back to the church no problem. They were still rehearsing, so we arrived in plenty of time. The people were friendly and chatted with the boys. We saw Ira arrive and go to the children's classroom.
Just before service we checked with Ira to see if she could translate for us again. She had to work in the children's class this week, so could not do it for us. We hoped maybe Vagif could give us the main idea, but I think it was too overwhelming for him to remember and translate specifics. Vagif did like the service and he checked with the pastor to see if he knew of a church near where Vagif lived. They exchanged contact information and I pray that God will help connect Vagif to some other Christians like this group of believers.
As this was Vagif's last day, we made him choose what we should have for lunch. He still did not give an opinion, but we knew he liked the Ukraine Hotel, so we went back there.
Again the food was really good. It took quite some time to get it, so we had fun talking and enjoyed each other's company. Darren had ordered an appetizer, but it came after Vagif had both his salad and main course. Yarik and I had only gotten our soup by then. So after the appetizer, Darren got his main dishes. Vagif finished his and Yarik and I waited for ours. The way they bring the food out is crazy. Even before Yarik and I got our main course, they had brought out Vagif's dessert. At least this time they brought it out after his main courses. The other day the dessert came first for Vagif, before anyone got their food.
We had a little bit of time before we had to take Vagif to the train station. We stopped by the grocery store to get him food for on the train. Then went back to the hotel. We uploaded some more photos and songs on his phone. Tried to figure out how to put games on his phone and felt really sad!
We called the taxi and loaded him up. His duffel bag was too small for new things we had gotten him, so I arranged a couple of shopping bags inside a larger bag with his old shoes, a sweater and his food. He was a little unhappy about the bag, because it did not look too cool, but I said, just tell them that your mom did it!
We had him ask the taxi to wait for us, and we found his train already waiting at the station. It would not leave for about 20 minutes so that gave him time to find his spot and give hugs and good-byes. I tried hard not to cry, but a few tears slipped out. Yarik took photos for us with his camera. We gave our last good hugs and he boarded the train. Yarik spotted him through the window and we waved.





 Darren made a heart with his hands and Vagif did one in return. On the up side, we hope that all will work out for him to come at Christmas, so he reminded me over and over not to be sad, that he would see us all then. It was still hard to see him off.

Back at the room the mood was melancholy. Yarik got his shower. We did a little English and then he was back on his bus for school. Darren and I talked and did our devotions. I was not in much of a mood to do anything but sleep.