Last Saturday in Kyiv

Saturday, July 21

Not Just Another Saturday

It’s hard to believe I am headed into the final weekend of my Ukrainian adventure 2012. This has been a great day. The day started with another invigorating ride on the Metro en route to see Wes Janzen at the KSOC offices once again. He had two surprises for me. First, was the chance to be introduced to nearly 200 Ukrainian widows and widowers at Music Mission Kiev’s Saturday morning Bible Study and food ministry to these dear people, some of whom have suffered so much, and have so little. Wes is basically a “rock star” with the widows. Just saying. When he came in the room, there was general hubbub surrounding his entrance, so much so that he needed to go in front and take the microphone from Diane McMurrin to say hello to everyone! He introduced me to all of them. That was another first in Ukraine for me: meeting 200 widows all at the same time. 

As we walked back to the KSOC offices for a rehearsal of a 16-member KSOC chamber choir, he asked me to conduct them, and teach them the Thomas Tallis “If Ye Love Me” from scratch. What a marvelous opportunity! They sight-read wonderfully, and responded well to all of my tinkering, even as I moved them around to maximize their sound. One of the tenors, Serhiy - a relatively young conducting professor at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory, translated for me. I must have done OK, because Wes has asked me to become Guest Conductor of the KSOC on an ongoing basis. I am thrilled, of course, and in this very new role (less than 12 hours), I have already started to dream. I dream of the ways the important work that the McMurrins and Wes Janzen have done with KSOC can finally intersect with the years of faithful teaching and training which has happened within the Church through the Christian Music Academy and the tireless efforts of Sasha Kreschuk and Steve Benham of Music in World Cultures (which I serve as a board member and faculty member), and through the lives of so many of our amazing students. The fact that I am even here because of the ministry of Evangelion also factors in, because of the inspiration that has taken place in the lives of so many people through Dennis Port and the Wicklunds, Beckers, Ueckers, Holmens and many others at The Shepherd’s Foundation. The time is ripe for something new, and it is emerging right before our eyes. What is it? Only God knows. Dream, pray and go there with us, will you?

But, I’m getting ahead of myself! After the rehearsal, I said goodbye to the KSOC singers and headed back to Central Baptist for the final rehearsal of our hearty band of men, who had already been singing their lives away for the past 2 days! What troopers they have been. When I returned, they looked weary. A little friendly backrub session, including a little brotherly “pummeling” and they perked right up. Works every time. Made me homesick for my NWC men’s chorus! We polished up Witness (which had been a long, hard labor of love but they finally have it), Grace (arr. Mark Hayes), a Gloria from a mass by Franz Josef Haydn, the Tallis If Ye Love Me and several other Slavic pieces by Chesnokov, Bortniansky, Stetsenko, etc. One of the most surprising moments for me was to hear a Ukrainian version of the gospel song Walk in the Light, which actually caught me off guard! They seemed to know it well, but I had never heard them sing it before. Always delightful surprises here in Ukraine!

At the end of our rehearsal, it started to rain. A welcome sound, and that intoxicating smell of fresh rain in the cool air; there will be great sleeping tonight in Kiev. It’s already in the mid-50’s and I just might have to close my window! It’s a distant possibility the blanket might even make its appearance tonight. I was so tired after this very full day, I decided not to even try walk to find food, but instead ate supper in the church dining hall together with a group of Salvation Army travelers from Russia. A little boy, around 9 years old, was the life of their party and was trying out his arsenal of English words with me. It was amusing, to say the least! We enjoyed that steamed buckwheat (thinking of you, Heather) with breaded meat dumplings, a wonderful cabbage/cucumber/red pepper vinegar salad, and homemade pickles (Babs, they taste just like yours!). Food heaven, Ukrainian style. Nothing fancy, but honest, hot and delicious, and down one flight of stairs from my room.

The rest of the evening, I spent sitting in the darkened sanctuary, listening to the rain through the window, enjoying the cool breezes and the silent, sacred space. I decided to play selections from the 2010 Northwestern College Choir tour CD – which brought back rich Baltic memories, especially re-living some of the richness of that wonderful group of people, and a great program with its focus on the Cross. That’s where I will leave it for now. Still five days to go! Thanks for staying with me. Keep praying. 

Isaiah 40: 28-29

Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
²⁹ He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.