Vova's Family

This is a picture of my family. I have seven brothers and sisters.There names are David, Andy, Kirk, Bethany, Seth, Allona, and Charity, and my name is Vova Kent Drummond. Seth and Allona are still at home and I am the youngest of the eight. We want to adopt another brother of mine, Dennis.

Monday--the day off

After several mini-crises since I've returned to Ukraine, I was ready for Monday. Yesterday we used our time to do research for youth camp. First we checked out the local ferry for the river that runs behind our house. "It's being repaired." the operator told us, "and will be for at least a month." Translation probably the ferry won't be working for at least another two or three months. That means to go across the river behind us we have to travel at least 25 miles either north or south to cross on a bridge. No go.

On the map located a lake that was supposed to be near us and also have a forest nearby. We passed brilliant poppy fields on the way and stopped for a picture.


We found the village and a sports complex on the beautiful lake but no place for camping. We asked a local how to get to the other side of the lake and he told us. We followed a rough worn trail around the lake, across the dam to the other side.

We picked up an older woman who was walking across the dam. She wore an old housedress. Her face showed the marks of alcoholism. We didn't turn off the music that was playing. I held my breath wondering what kind of questions English words would bring up. I started to pull out my camera to take a picture of the lake but quickly put it back. Here's what Faith caught on her camera.

She told us that side of the lake was still in the Nova Odessa region. There were ample spots in which to camp. The scenery was beautiful. Dave and I were not sneezing our heads off from allergies--another plus.

We came back home on another road and discovered that this lake is only about 30 kilometers from home. Perfect!! If we can just have permission from the local forester to camp near there.

After a couple more errands, Dave and I headed for Nikolaev. This was the first time out we've had since before I went to the US about a month ago. We didn't do much besides eat and talk but we both thoroughly enjoyed the time.

When we got back home we waited for our family to regroup. When we were all together again, we sat down to figure out a Nancy Drew mystery game on the computer. Faith rescued us and figured out the combination for the grandfather clock to get the glass eye out of it! We went until we were stuck again, had devotions and went to bed. All in all, a very good day.

Mnoga Monday

Things I like that begin with "e."
1. Easy chairs--translated recliners
2. Even sidewalks--an oddity that you see most of the time in America
3. Evergreens that break up the monotony of winter.
4. Everlasting faithfulness of God.
5. Equality--getting good service and politeness even when a person is poor or elderly or has a different skin color.
6. Enjoyment--the joy on the face of this child from a poor family atmosphere made the hour's trip to go to the village worthwhile!
7. Eagerness to help and pull the load.
8. Eversharps or mechanical pencils--I used them all the time in school and my children frequently used them for theirs.

Major Event!

Allona and Vova finished school this week. Together we are looking forward to a "school-less summer!"

Growing Babies

Little Timothy Shevelenko is growing. We'll miss him and his family when they move closer to Kyiv.


These kittens are also growing, but not too big to sleep on Vova's school desk.

Step by step

Returning from the US, we walked back into the project the family was working on. Step by step this week, we've made progress.


Dave cut boards that would be visible in the room. Faith stained most of them. Seth and I helped.


Dave and Seth put new ceiling joists up.


Then Seth and Vova put bridging that Dave cut between the ceiling joists.


The last step of this week was putting the dry wall up. We got half of the drywall up on the ceiling.

Mnoga Monday

I was travelling last Monday. I hope you will excuse me. Here's some things that I like that begin with "D:

1. Dirty dishes--yes, I'm old enough to appreciate the story behind them now. NEVER, NEVER in my younger days would I have been thankful for them.
2. Daring dreamers--People who came with hearts afire and faces aglow with ambition for God. I think the Apostle Paul would have fit that category. Some people who I met up with that impressed me that way have been my grandfather Wayne Montgomery, GT Bustin and an elderly gentleman, Brother Coen.
3. Darkness--the quiet time to sleep and to pray.
4. Daffodils and daisies are some of my favorite flowers.
5. Dandelions aren't pretty but I certainly admire their persistence!
6. Dimples add instant beauty to any face in my opinion!
7. Deference--men opening the door for women, younger people giving places of honor to the older!
8. Decency--in actions first of all and then in dress make a big impression on me.
9. Donuts--this is Allona's suggestion for my list. I do like them.