3rd Times A Charm
The gash in my head is healing nicely. Ten minutes into day one, I ducked a piece of falling angle iron that put a nice dent in my forehead. The “bloody American” was my name for the day.
Several of us have nicknames. Sergei is “John Belushi” thanks to looking like the Samuri warrior character from Saturday Night Live. Maksim is “Gonsheek” (race car driver) because he drives very fast.
There are a few things that have struck me. One is Maksim’s optimism and appreciation for having life. His reply to me about having a big family is that God has given him life and that is reason enough to help others and that is why he is adopting two more children (he and Sveta have two already). When he prayed at dinner the other night, his first sentence was simply “thank You for life”.
Maksim’s approach is so different than the other eastern European immigrants I know that live in America. He is not jaded. He is not pessimistic. He is not pre-occupied with “getting ahead” as the world would interpret.
Maksim has been very refreshing for my own perspective and my own faith. Well worth the knot in my head and the scar to remind me that simple faith is all that’s needed.
Poka. – Anthony
May 07, 2008
Good morning, Guys.
Oh Anthony, I’m so sorry about the knot in your head. I’m grateful that you are alright.
Thank you for sharing some of Maksim’s perspective with us. It’s always nice to get to know our HH parents just a little bit better through those who have actually gotten to meet them.
I hope you all have a wonderful day. Please know again, how very much we appreciate all that you are doing.
Praying for you,
Deneen
May 07, 2008
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Sorry to hear about your injury. Please say hello to Yuri,Maksim, Ira, Sergei and all our friends. Please let them know that my family and I are praying for everyone on the site and all the families.
Enjoy the rest of your trip and stay blessed!
Chuck Y.
May 07, 2008
Wow…that hurt me to read from here! I remember those beams well and they didn’t look very forgiving! Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Funny to hear that we were not the only group to find the simililarity between Sergei and John Belushi. We continue to pray for an uneventful rest of the week for your group and that He will continue to Bless Max and his family, Uri, Sergei and Ira and the rest of our extended Ukrainian family.
Lisa