Part two of the sea- The retreat (or advance) with the students

So last week Wednesday morning we loaded everyone (except Alona and the baby) up into our white van and Victor's blue van around nine am and went to Kirilovka on the Sea of Azov. It is still in the Zaporosia region (or province) but on the other side from us.

As soon as we got there we had cold chicken tacos, I guess you could call them, it was about one o'clock and I wanted to have something fast. I cooked for everyone all week, three meals a day. Cold cereal turned into oatmeal on the two rainy mornings to warm everyone up at eight am. Luckily we had a covered porch to feed everyone on.

 We had three apartments- two for four people and one for six- the guys went in the six, Nelly shared with the three girls (the girls shared a king size bed) and we shared with Kolya and Oxana (the only married couple staying). Nikolai and Julia and Dima went for the day and went home with Victor around five pm to help with milking and things. They had a chance to swim and have fun on what was the best day of the four night retreat!

The rest of the week was very windy with rainy periods, a power outage one afternoon, and cooler. Too windy for beach volleyball, but at least they weren't working. The students discovered a nearby disco and even went out to dance (we have some break-dancers and some learners in the group) on cold, rainy nights. They also played a lot of Uno and Jenga.

Garry had inspirational and spiritual talks that Nelly interpreted after breakfast and dinner everyday. Everyone had a good time in spite of the weather and were on their best behavior, too.

 Sunday morning while we were packing up the sun came out (even though it was raining back in the village) and a couple of the guys went swimming, more than swam on the cooler days in between, although a couple went in the sea or mostly the salt water pool everyday.

We had an early lunch and celebrated Vika's 22nd birthday before heading back to the village shortly after checkout time of noon.



Nikolai, Alona and baby came to visit shortly after we got back to the village around three pm. The baby has gained about 2 pounds (one kilo) already. Monday morning Garry started teaching cattle judging and handling, Alona and baby Denys come to class too. One of the other girls or daddy Nikolai watch him when they go to the barn.