This post was written a few days ago in Warsaw, as I was waiting for my flight to the U.S. I have since had a few wonderful days in New York City with a great friend, and am now home. Last night I slept in my own bed! For twelve wonderful hours... :) Thank you again for all of your messages and prayers. I'm not sure what is next or whether I will continue blogging (I may post a few pictures when I am finally able to sort through the 3000 I've taken), but I am so grateful for all of the support I have had throughout this journey!
Sorry I haven't written here in so long...I wrote a nice note titled "Day 90" on the day that I left Ukraine, but somehow it wasn't saved properly to my tablet, and I lost it.
In summary, I had an incredible time in Turkey with my sister, flew back to Budapest where I stayed for a few days, then took the train back to western Ukraine for my final few days in the country. There I said my goodbyes, then returned to Budapest. The following day I had a seven hour train ride to Cluj Napoca, Romania, where I visited friends for a few days. From there it was back to Budapest for a couple more days, then a train to Vienna. I spent about two days in Vienna, made one brief afternoon visit to Bratislava, Slovakia, and returned to Budapest last night. This morning I flew from Budapest to Warsaw, where I have a six hour layover before my flight to the U.S., and a few minutes to catch my breath.
At this point I should probably explain that I did not feel it was the right thing to attempt to extend my Ukrainian visa beyond 90 days. My time in Ukraine has been wonderful, but for many reasons I feel that at least for now, it's time for me to leave. While in Turkey I went through an interview process with an organization in Israel...And like Ukraine, at least for now, this door seems to be closed.
It's strange to think about coming home, but I'm excited. Excited to see my family and friends, drink pasteurized skim milk and tap water, eat tacos, use a hairdryer, flush toilets, ride in cars, think in miles, not have four different currency conversions floating around in my mind at the same time, and not live out of a backpack. In the past two months I haven't stayed in one place for more than five days consecutively, and I've slept in roughly fifteen different places (not to mention three overnight trains and two overnight buses). I'm very tired, and I feel it. I need time to process my time in Ukraine, and think and pray about the future.
Leaving Budapest today was difficult; I felt like my ties with Hungarian culture were officially being severed. As I listened to people speak Hungarian on the plane, I wanted to absorb and remember every word, and every mannerism. It's funny how this language that was so strange just a few months ago can be so comforting now. As excited as I am to go home, I know I will miss Ukraine and the people there terribly. Saying goodbye to my friends in Ukraine and the girls in the orphanage was especially difficult. However, I know that my time in Ukraine was not without purpose...I'm excited to see how God will use the things that I've learned there for His glory and greater plan.
Last Sunday I attended church in Budapest...my first English-speaking church service in almost four months. Part of the sermon was an outline of Acts 16, where Paul and his companions are not permitted to go preach the Gospel in Asia. Their intentions seem good, but God has a different plan and people for Paul to reach. I think that's kind of where I'm at right now. A couple of doors have closed. God sent Paul a vision telling him where to go, and he obeyed at once. I'm praying my next step will be made just as clear, and that I will obey with as much readiness as Paul.
So for now...I spend my last few hours in Europe in a gray Warsaw airport, waiting for the plane that will take me to New York City, one step closer to home. Also, as a fun fact...I'm eating peanut butter and honey pita sandwiches that I made last night at 1:00 am in my hostel bathroom, using my toothbrush handle to spread the peanut butter and honey. I guess resourcefulness is one of the things I've learned in the past few months?
Thank you all for your prayers and support, and special thanks to those who sent/helped to make crafts for the girls. Your gifts were of course a big hit :) Looking forward to seeing you stateside soon!
Love, Cara
"For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength...'"
Isaiah 30:15a
