It was wonderful to hear our son's voice over the computer(we used skype) Christmas morning.
He's doing fabulous, even though a little home sick during this holiday time.
He was grateful for all that was sent for his Christmas and told me to make sure that I thanked everyone. He enjoyed the homemade gifts, like the conversion stores, and the warm ones and the yummy ones and the useful ones and the fun ones. So thank you one and all.
Here are some interesting things that we learned. Next transfer is in 2 weeks and supposedly he will be getting the box that I sent with thermals in them. I'm hoping. When there is a transfer, all those missionary companionships that are affected metro in to the mission home in Donetsk and do there changes there; unless you are doing a companion switch in Kharkov, you would then pack your stuff and move to one of the other apartments.
Chris says that he is definetely keeping warm with the scarfs, gloves and socks people have gifted him. Thanks to all.
The most spiritual experience he has had to date as been the baptism that was held on Christmas day for a child of record and an African man who was converted.
The only have open House twice a year.
There are l0 different kinds of ketchup in the Ukraine.
Chris really enjoyed the electronic Christmas card that alot of the extended family spoke on and then we sent to him. *(thanks to Auntie Ilana for thinking of such a great idea) He's played it and played it!
I asked him what people do for work. He said that One of the families that seems to do well the wife is a music teacher and the husband works as a sales clerk.
Evidently if you have a car you're doing pretty good. I guess the branch president has a vehicle but Chris didn't know what he did for a living.
One of the member's is a beekeeper and the other is a security guard for the soccer stadium.
I did ask him what we could do to help the missionaries have success in the Ukraine and he said to continue to pay for the Ukraine missionaries that they will have success in contacting individuals and that the Ukrainian people will be receptive to their message.
There are 4 missionaries in their branch. He really enjoys a young man by the name of Sasha who was baptized the first weekend he was in the ukraine.
Since his Companion makes alot of Mexican food, he is getting tired of it.; He was very grateful for the gift of a Christmas dinner out to a restaurant for him and his companion. They had real Ukrainian food.
As of this date, Chris has not eatten at a member's house. The people make so little money, the retail worker in the ward makes $150 a month and his wife, the music teacher makes $350, that there isn't much left to purchase food and feed missionaries. That's okay though because the dollar is strong there and they can buy food from local vendors for $l or so.
Thanks again for all your cards, gifts and prayers on Chris' behalf!
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