Summer is in full swing...

It's difficult to believe July has arrived already. It seems like June just got started! We have had a busy, but fun kick-off to our summer. We have had some outings with friends, enjoyed morning walks to work, completed another session of the PT Training Center program and celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Agape Rehabilitation Center. We are busier than ever at Agape, with 9 full-time residential patients and almost all other beds filled by temporary residents. Our Agape staff continues to grow to accommodate the growing needs. It is good to see God's hand at work!

Lunch at Agape (half of the dining room)

At the beginning of the month, we took some patients from Agape out on a Saturday to explore the city, stopping at the castle and the zoo.

So close to the lions!

A walk through the central park in Lutsk provides a great view of the castle 

We have recently enjoyed quite a few morning walks to work. It takes us 25-30 minutes and we have come to enjoy our walk, which begins by taking this less than conspicuous path down into the woods...

crossing this fun bridge which Sveta didn't really like the first few times...

then along a little path which is now almost overtaken by the growth around it...

by the soccer stadium / track where I often run...

Our apartment is near that gray building behind us

along dusty village roads...

over the railroad track...

to Agape!

The first class of students in the PT Training Center program completed their 4th and final session on June 16th! I have enjoyed teaching and being around this group so much over the past 10 months. They have been patient with me, showed an eagerness to learn, brought joy and laughter to the process and persevered through the program. This past year has been challenging with developing the program, writing and translating the teaching material, preparing and conducting the six sessions (between the two classes) and rearranging the material and correcting mistakes after each session. God has taught me much about leaning on Him in my weakness and inadequacy, asking and trusting Him for wisdom and rejoicing over His provisions. I am so thankful for each of these students and am excited to see how God uses them in the future.

Our small graduation ceremony:

Graduation was followed by bowling, pizza and lots of smiles and laughter!

Last weekend I was invited to play baseball with some of the young adults from our church. Although I haven't joined them in the past for volleyball or soccer (I was interested in soccer until I learned that no other girls join they guys), I decided to give baseball a try. They were pretty accurate on the rules, with a few twists. Such as, the second time you get on base you can't stop, even if they will easily be able to get you out - you must keep going. It keeps the game "dynamic" I was told! Of course, playing 5 on 5 to start and later 6 on 6 also kept the game dynamic. But we had a good time!

July means that camps will soon begin! Please join us in praying for the adult camp which begins July 18th and the children's camp which begins July 28th. Several of our patients, both children and adults, are planning to come and we are praying for their repentance. We are also praying for financial provisions for the camps, good weather so that people with disabilities can spend the maximum amount of time outdoors, safety and God's work in the hearts of those who come. Thank you for joining us in prayer! I hope you are having a blessed summer too!

I'll conclude with some of the beauty God has put on display in the Ukrainian sky this summer: