Subject suggestions please

PLEASE LEAVE SUGGESTIONS :P I want to write something you want to read. So please comment below, if you have a blogger account, or e-mail me at: scott.simpson.scythers@gmail.com with subject "blog" or "suggestion"

Comparing

Well, I'm late, but I was asked to compare life here to life over in the Ukraine. As a reminder to any readers who may not know me, I live in Ontario, Canada.

I will begin with What I expect/intend to get done in life:
-I expect to grow up
-I expected to finish elementary
-I expect to graduate High school
-I expect to go to College and or university
-I expect to get a good job
-I expect to be able to woo a girl (well, okay, I have that done)
-I expect to get married and be able to support a family off my job
-I expect to be able to travel to work everyday in a vehicle on smooth roads and with nice music
-I expect to get all the newest technology
-I expect to be strong and eat well
-I expect to be independent
-I expect to retire
-I expect a safe place to call home
-I expect a clean environment

Now... I think that's fair to say. I also think it fair to say that society here expects the same from anyone here. Yet out of these not all are realities even here. How much more so then for the poorer villages such as Stepanovka? I could say these for them (mind you this is from what I know):
-Grow up
-Go to and finish elementary?
-Get a job, or at least a way to live
-Be able to woo a girl (they might be better than us at that, I don't know :P )
-Get married and have a family
-Get to work every day
-Try to keep healthy and strong
-Be independent
-Have a home

Out of the ones I had for myself, these are the ones I think they are able to get,  and notice the difference in wording. I purposefully did not copy-paste. Anyways, that is brief and easy. For more details, click on "want to know more"

Trouble

This is about the trip. I must Say we were so blessed.

Alright Anyone who has traveled will probably know that when in a foreign country, you should always keep your papers on you. That makes sense right? Even in touristic areas. Well, I can't say for sure, but from what I remember, we almost NEVER had our papers on us. We strangers in a non-touristic area hosting a VBS with kids that are vulnerable. We we also right on the border and in a village where the military had a base and a patrol, or at least uniformed men walking by two's what ever you want to call that. They had every reason to come ask us for our papers. They had every reason to demand identification. We would have, on many occasions, been in trouble since we did not have our papers on our persons.

Not a single time were we stopped, talked to or even watched. I passed a what I assume to be a patrol while running with Anya, speaking English, a foreign language they most likely did not understand. they simply walked on by. I didn't watch them, since that seemed like it might not be a good idea, but it appeared as though they didn't even glance my way. or really consider me. I have to say. God was good to us.

This was a simple but sweet post. Hope you see just how protected we were, because I still take it for granted on many occasions...

Proposed Topic #1: retaliation?

" Topic: At one point I heard that some of the Ukrainian girl orphans were being transported on a particular ferry to Turkey to sold as sex slaves. My first thought was, why doesn't anyone blow up that boat? At what point is violence justified?"

This indeed is an interesting question. It depends on each persons individual morals: no two people see EXACTLY the same thing because no two people are EXACTLY the same. Therefore, what I will write in response will be purely MY opinion, and you may disagree. I do not mind. This will be a discussion post, so if you want to put your ideas out there, go ahead.

Now before we start, I will mention this: I love reading. You know, those heroic tales of amazing feats, possible only if you trained your whole life and the exact opportunity came up. I love imagining myself as some hero, winning the admiration of others and the love of my Jessica. I like video games, the ones where you have to go battle to save something or prevent something. I also like other games and books, but these tend to be my favorites. So from this, you might be able to see that I like to prove myself through actions.

Now, my response: No, I would not.

Some might think: "why bring up the first part then?" others: "you are wrong" while others still may agree.

If you want to skip to the simpler, less overly analysed answer, find and read between the separated part near the middle

Now, I am a strong believer in love. God shows us love all the time, and Jesus loved everyone he met it appeared. He healed many, raising even some from the dead. The story of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11. The story of Jairus' daughter from the dead in Mark 5:35-43.  He also healed lepers and sick, truly anyone, it would appear. He even, in Luke's account, heals the ear of a soldier arresting him (Luke 22:47-54). See also Matthew 9:18-26, John 9, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 17:11-19, Mark 5 John 21:25... As well as many other verses if you are not yet convinced. I for one, am convinced he loved people and helped them.

Now, since God loved them, he was not hurting them, or allowing them to stay in pain when they asked. However, in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul states that God has "given me a thorn in my flesh". In the passage, that I will allow you to read in your various translations and versions, Paul lets us know he is suffering , but not without reason. Paul states that God allows us to suffer as a reminder, and to prevent him from becoming conceited.

Now, the only argument I can find in the Bible that shows God being, say, violent, is when he upturns the market in the temple courts. this happens in Matthew 21:12 if you want to verify that what I am saying is true. He intentionally, brutally (from how I understand it), simply gets rid of anything marketable, setting them all free, upturning the cashier tables, sending people into a raging frenzy, some collecting the money, some running from frightened animals, some trying to catch the animals, people fighting. I can imagine the commotion going on... and it isn't very pretty either. Jesus knew what would happen, yet he did it anyways. Can you imagine? It would be like walking up to a concert, walking up to all the goods stands and trowing them around, with hundreds of dollars flying everywhere, and merchandise being scattered. A crazy thought is it not?

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SO. God does things knowing the consequences, but he seems to do loving acts, with repercussions we would never understand, way more often.

Can blowing up a boat fix the problem? No, probably not. Why? because they have money: they can buy more boats. What if they are in the boats when they blow up? Well, the WHOLE team will never be in the boat at once. Also, Jesus NEVER hurt a person physically. Think also: they will learn to be more cautious, buy a better boat, or several, pay more people off, perhaps kill some.

As much as I'd love to go in and blow the boat to bits myself, tear it apart by hand, ruin it, run it down, sabotage it, some days even kill the personnel, it is not right. I want to do this as much out of self valour as to help others.

"What if I could do it without a sense of self valour?" one may ask. Does it matter? Shall the outcome not be very similar? Shall they not learn?

Can we say with certainty that destroying the boat would make things better? We can say it might. Why not try? what else could happen? But what else CAN happen? things could get worse. MUCH worse. Did you think of this? Perhaps, but think on it hard.

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Love on the other hand, might make a difference. Loving the children, helping them off the streets, giving them a new life. Loving and teaching the parents, showing them that they need not repeat the lives of their parents. Loving and helping the police, showing them better ways from our own police and perhaps helping in investigations. Loving and helping victims, showing them that they can stand up and speak against. But here many might call me cray: Loving and caring for, nurturing and teaching, leading and forgiving the people COMMITTING the acts. Why do you think they are there? Because they care more about money than the lives of other people. Why? Well, I don't know! So why do you not ask? Because they are the bad guys!!! ARE THEY? or are WE, for not showing them the love of God in their times of trial and pain as children, for not teaching them better when they were orphaned, or left to fend for them selves. Were we not called to love those around us? you may answer that we do love those around us. DO we though. I don't mean do we TOLERATE the people around us, because toleration is not love. Caring for, talking to, complimenting and supporting, encouraging, spending time with, having their best interests at heart. That is love. Also, see these passages to compare a bit: Matthew 5:1-16 and 1 Corinthians 13.


How then shall we act in violence since it is partly due to us? "I don't live over there!" Yes, but a simple act of kindness could have changed someones life, and you never know where that could have led. Love is not always easy, but it is our way of life, and if it is not, reconsider a bit. think upon what what you really live for and how you show it.




I could go on, but this post has taken nearly two hours of my time and it is almost midnight. I hope this answer was satisfactory. You have a right to an opinion. So please, if you agree or disagree, please, let me know, post a comment, sent an email, I don't mind. But please do not feel as though I am thrusting this down your throat, I am simply trying to support the side I am on.


--Scott

Journal entry VII, Sunday

Okay... here I go...

21/08/11

Sorry about missing two days.

It's Sunday morning at about 7:45, London time.

So, on Friday, we had a superb breakfast. Nina really went out of her way for us. We went out and had piñatas and limbo contests for games. then, the drama/music presentation; very well done considering the amount of time to practice. The gift giving did not go so well. the gifts for the kids that boss Sergey brought in were all diverse. Therefore the kids wanted to choose and wanted what another had. Artum gave me one of his dinosaurs that he did not want; he wanted a "machina"; a car. Lunch was better. Here are two details for you: one, some kids only got to eat with us ~when they were eating lunch with us, no other time of the day~, and two, we ate almost all the adult chickens in the village. We later, as a team, packed and went to Nina's. Then she gave us a second lunch and the two Sergey's got to try the extra piñata. We received gifts; tea sets each, the ladies got an extra pitcher and the men got masses representing authority; Robert and Marks' were bigger. Oh! Lost the german knife and my Ukrainian knife helped alot with the piñatas.
Left Nina's to go to Hope House, had supper there, emailed a bit, then went to the black sea, Other Sergey had already left,  and Colleen felt she couldn't make the walk. So eleven of us made it to the water. Anya and I went out into the water a bit, but only I got wet past the knees and I immersed myself in the salt water. ~for it was my first time in naturally salty water~ Then, we played shta on the beach in the dark. Then Anya and I ran the way back to Hope House, about two kilometers. Then we talked as we waited for the others. Oh! I forgot to mention; I cried for like at least 20 minutes on-off in the van leaving Stepanovka.

Saturday, I got up at the same time Anya went for her run, but I did not know, it was about 6:AM. So I packed up and showered. Had breakfast and we headed out to the airport at 9:00. Anya and Maria came along to go house shopping. Lyena, Karina and Fiancé Sergey (strange change Sergey) all came as well to go to their appartments. Got to the airport and said goodbye, flew to Kyiv, then to London, got to our Hotel. On the flight to London, I spoke to a Ukrainian lady (looks 18 but is 27) for a while. Her name was Yulia (Julia) and she was the head of a private bank. In London, we went to a quaint little restaurant called White Horse. Very nice. And built in the early 1500's. No free Wifi at the hotel. went to bed.

Today, we got up, washed up, got on the bus (amazingly funny driver), got to the airport and we are eating at Gordon Ramsay's. Not much food, but good enough ~don't invite me to good food restaurants... I don't know how to appreciate it... Sorry Marina and Terry :/ ~. It's now about 10:30.

--Scott


That concludes my journal entries... if you have more ideas, please let me know, or comment. but in case you cannot get the comment to work, my e-mail is: scott.simpson.scythers@gmail.com

You may have noticed I talked much about Anya in particular... this is partially due to the fact that I am an introvert and love having few, but very close friends. She seemed like minded: slightly quieter, more reserved... Also, who knows, I might have had a small crush on her (why lie?) but I changed that feeling into little sister, and now big sister :P

Anyways, thanks all.

May God bless you :D

--Scott

Sorry.

This is simply an apology... I did think of posting... and I will now, but the journal post will be postponed until tomorrow when I may have time (it's late tonight... so I'm going to bed). I wanted to write this to show to both you guys and to myself that I'm not being lazy. Sorry :/

Journal entry VI, Thursday

Alright, back into the game... two nights in a row. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for the next topic once I finish my journal... which will be tomorrow if I type tomorrow. Once again, my e-mail is: scott.simpson.scythers@gmail.com If you have a topic to suggest, please have "blog topic" as you subject

18/08/11

Hi.

I am not excited to go home... I kinda want to cry. My team is my familly; this village, my job. Anya is my sister Sergey is my bud. We play together, pray together run together, eat together sleep together; all in all, the teams works together and does all together. ~sorry for the lack of commas that was how I had written it though~ The fact that the whole thing is for God and the team Christians ~meaning two facts: for God and that the team is composed of fellow Christians~ makes it harder to leave. Oh well.

Today, I got up, ate, then ran water games with Michelle. I felt tired and filled the water jugs instead of having to play as a team when the older boys were there. But as the teams went by, I played with them. Also, two men from the Church saw our games and also brought their own. They practically took over; for which Michelle and I were grateful ~I think Michelle was anyways~. We merely became the main attraction. Then, after the games, in the main room, Ann had me sit with her. Just us. Not sure if that's good or bad.

At lunch, I ate next to Anya, she says she's shy around boys. She promised me to eat candied carrots if I gave her the recipy. I will. ~and I did~

Karina is learning to play more ~perhaps she was finally relaxing a bit?~, Lyena stayed more or less the same, Marina is feeling better Michelle is my "mom" and Anya my "sister". Mark is a little less stressed, Terry is feeling more confident about her work, the Sergeys are more understanding of their groups, and the Netherlanders are still a great relief.

I noticed I lost my German knife. I hope to find it, but if not, so be it. I'll let God decide. ~ I never did find it.~

Falling asleep right here on the spot, lights on.

Finished the piñatas with the help of the interpreters, the whole group actually, except Marina, Colleen and Terry.

Oh before that, played with the kids at the park, tossed frisbys blew bubles talked to older boys through Anya and told them I do what I do for God. One played frisby with us.

Okay, super ~supper~ was a fiesta! we had home-made pizza, borsht, fudge and cookie sandwiches, and other great stuff. We gave Nina her maple syrop and a card and Vladmir received a study bible, in english. He said that that meant he has to study english ~and he said it honestly, that it was a sign~.

Played shta (what) and a group twister (foot tag).

Came here started to pack.

-night

-Scott Scott Simpson ~signed the second part~

okay... I looked over the left over entries... only on left. a long one for tomorrow...

Journal entry V, Wednesday

Sorry about this long delay... I kept bringing up excuses and I eventually got lazy. If you want to read it, then I really appreciate it. Sorry again... I hope to keep posting after this... please if you want me to post more, comment or send me an email to : scott.simpson.scythers@gmail.com with a subject along the lines of "Blog".

17/08/11

Privyet amigo!

I am tired, but I'll try not to forget any details.
So I woke up, took my pills, went to breakfast and then to camp. Michelle and I set up the obstical course and the older boys liked it. The other groups did not seem to enjoy it as much. Also, we could not set up the volley-ball net properly, so we played with the older girls over the soccer net. Good icecream, went for lunch and then put another layer on the piñata then ran with Anya, Mark and Michelle, until it was just Anya and I, then we stopped when I could go no more... she wasn't tired yet! Anya has a large chest cavity ~that sounds SO awkward when I type it, so to clarify, I had meant like how far her rib cage protruded (lung/heart space)~ and therefore, probably large lungs and heart. Oh yes! I received two more crafts, one from Ann ~the Anya from camp~ and one from her brother Arture. The other girl with a learning disability ~I feel insensitive for having put it that way~ is real nice, but has a crush on me, real bad ~I meant it was bad she liked me... even when I told her I had a girlfriend, she didn't give up~.
After running ~back to just after running with Anya~, I "helped" Anya with veggies; she did most of it. ~I~ Tried to have a shower, but things kept popping up.
Had supper, then we shared how we were blessed so far this week. Answers went along the line of: nice team, good cook, bathroom, kids sharing, lots of kids sharing our testimonies ~not sure what I meant by that~. When Anya said hers though, she said she wanted to be like us. I knew then I had to pray with her.
We ~Marina and I~ taught the team "shta" (which means what in Russian), but Robert and Anya didn't want to.

Later, Sergey and I walked Karina and Anya home, all four of us prayed for the team and for Anya.

Came home to the fly trap :P.

Good night syaoran.

-Scott Scott Simpson ~second part signed~