Jono's blog

Luda is 28 years old. She remembers as a young girl coming first in a race at school. But that is now a very distant memory. When Luda was 16 years old she became sick and as a result developed ‘miasteniya’. This disease affects nerves and muscles and consequently Luda was left in a wheel chair for a number of years. Miasteniya is treatable but costly. Luda has had one operation and she walks with a pronounced limp. Stairs are very difficult and slow for her. Usually someone carries her up and down the stairs at church.

I had the privilege of visiting Luda and seeing her art work. She loves to draw. She mainly draws objects or copies pictures that are in front of her. I photographed a sampling of her art (sorry I don’t have a photo of Luda yet as she decided she was not dressed properly for a photograph).

We talked at length. I hesitantly asked her about her limp. She was really happy to talk. She wanted to know if I had more questions. She said it was wonderful for someone to take an interest in her life. She has very few visitors and doesn’t get out of the house very much at all.

Man is talking
Mind is walking
When will this come to an end?
So I can talk to my friend
I did ask God to hear Him speak
But concentration now is weak
Really really hot in here
Mobile phone sounds fill the air
Why are we all sitting here?

Formal teaching can be dry
So I ask the question why?
Is it me or is it him?
(That translator is not slim!)
Why can thoughts so easily roam?
What’re the boys doing back at home?
People round me so distracting
Who is listening - who is acting?
Those things there – how much did they cost?
And the MP3 player that I lost

Man still talking on the stage
To these people in this cage
I hope their thoughts are not like mine
You can always find me on line
But how do you know what is real?
Can you trust the things you feel?

Interruptions
As I was typing this letter my neighbour came over and reminded me that I had promised to help her grandson move. He and his wife and daughter are moving back into the family home next door. She said I’d better go now cause his stuff is outside and it’s about to rain. When I finished helping them a couple more guys came over to borrow some volleyball gear and have a cup of tea. Life is full of interruptions or should I call them opportunities? It depends on my perspective.

Rural Ukraine Foreign Language Service
The registration process is still in the pipeline. I have made progress and am awaiting some translation services to be completed.

The exciting news is the students. I now have four classes a week. This is keeping me on my toes in preparation. I am still looking to find some really helpful resources. I have just a few. I plan on attending some ESL courses when I am back in Australia next year.

On a train
In the rain
Feel the pain
Thoughts swirling
Ideas unfurling
But never reach their destination
Captive of my imagination
Cannot sleep
Cannot read
Cannot plan the things I need
Want to plan for peace and joy
I feel I’m the devil’s toy
In a game of luck and dice
And yet I know he paid the price
Free Indeed, Free Indeed
I Praise God I'm Free Indeed!