Stalin is my Neighbor

Well as most of you know, we've made it safely to Kremenchuk, Ukraine. We are staying in a great little flat in the center of the city right on the square. The flat belongs to another missionary couple, and they have graciously allowed us to sublet it from them, thank you Jon and Andrea. This was a great blessing. It has allowed us to make our transition to living in Ukraine quite easily, and given us time to find our own home. One of the great benefits of this Apartment is the view of the square, last weekend a few friends and us watch the prime minister come and hold a concert. And lastly every morning, I get to say hello to my new neighbor, Lenin. Good morning 'Papa Lenin.'

Smell you later Trailer!

Well we are back in the QCA! Russian School was great success! I was just struck by how much we learned the other day when one of my professors was praying in Russian, and understanding him was no big deal. Just then it occured to me, it was only June of this year when I sat in class having absolutely no idea what was going on. I didn't even know the alphabet! We are so grateful to the Russian Language institute and all they've taught us. And we also thank God for how he through our teachers and other missionaries have drawn us close to him.

The News with the Gainers

Here's a little video that our family made for a quick look into what we've been up to in SC.
I hope you enjoy it.

Birthday Fun!!!!

Well, Alex and I are officially one year older. Alex turned 5 on the 4th, and I turned....okay, 32 on the 8th. The celebrations started on the 1st, when we stopped by JT and Andrea's in Missouri. Their little girl Anna turned 5 on the 5th, so we had a combined party for our kiddos. It was a great time filled with balloons, candy, cake, games, face painting and great food. On the 4th, we had another party with some family and friends. We had a great time playing with waterballoons! On Friday the 6th, I had a family party, and on Sunday night, some of my friends took me out to one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, and then we went Karaoking! It was a great night!!! Thank you so much to all of our friends and family for making our special day EXTRA special! We love you!!!!

Sunsets are way cooler than sunrises.

Perhaps this statement needs some explanation. This morning I laid in my bed in the wee hours before the sun rose enjoying the blessing of sleep knowing that the day to follow would be without intense Russian course work. (in case my professors are reading this they should know I was looking forward to hours and hours of independent study LOL) As I drifted in and out consciousness, I heard the muffled voices of three of the smaller citizens of Gainerville. I pried open one eye to look at the clock, 5:45 am. Now I've always considered myself a morning person, but this is not morning. Frankly I think I could make a pretty convincing argument that it was still night. For this reason I let out an audible grown as I watched Jonah (3) and Isaac (2) following their fearless leader Alexander (4 1/2) on a crusade to the living room. I ought mention that the only way from their room to the living room is to "march" through our room. As the grand procession slipped past my vision into the other room I silently hoped that they would all lay down on the couch and fall back asleep (as if this were even possible for 3 little boys). I must admit, after a couple grumbled murmers from mom and dad to be quiet, they were pretty good. Through the silence though I caught a utterance that reminded me of the preciousness of children and why I dispise sunrises all at the same time. "Alex the Articulate" whispered (a whisper for those of you who don't have toddlers is little more than a hissing scream from a 4 year old), "Jonah! Isn't the the sunrise beautiful!?" I could only smile, role over, and thank God for life's little gifts.

Jon

Together Again at Last!!!

When Jon and I left for South Carolina to go to Russian Language School, we left the boys in Davenport with both of our parents for their own little vacation. The boys had a great time, going to the children's library, the zoo, and they even got to go to a party where they got to go swimming and watch the Blue Angels fly overhead. Jon and I had a good time too, and enjoyed some much needed time for just the two of us. But, I knew about 4 days in that I wished that I had not left the boys for 2 1/2 weeks. The boys flew for the first time on Wednesday, and Grandma said that they loved it!!! They were in complete awe, and were very well behaved. (Thank you for all of the prayers!) Our reunion on Wednesday night was just like I dreamed it would be. The boys saw us from the end of the corridor, and came tearing down the hall screaming, "MOMMY!!! DADDY!!!" We hugged, I cried, and we hugged some more. We went out for a wonderful seafood dinner at A.W. Shucks, and then made the trip back to Columbia. Grandma Barbie took them to the sprinkler pad at a local park yesterday, and they had a great time. Tomorrow, we are planning on taking them to the beach for the first time. They are really excited to build sand castles and collect sea shells. Today, we are just hanging out as a family, and enjoying the fact that we are all together again!

I wish Ukrainians spoke English and other adventures

Well we've made it. Amazing isn't? Jenny and I left DesMoines (from my niece's wedding, congratulations Rachel) at 5:00 pm on Sat. and started the road trip down to Columbia SC. As in any good Gainer story, our trip was safe, but not without classic Ganerville moments. At one point I (Jon) went to change lanes and almost had an accident because I didn't see a gray car in my blind spot. God was was watching out for us though, and after leaving a bit of rubber on the asphalt somewhere in KY I regained control of the vehicle,avoiding collision. Not to be out done by my reckless driving, Jenny managed to leave our cell phone in a Hardees in TN. The South hasn't seen anything like us! Luckily the manager of the Hardees was willing to take it and ship it to us. Thank you Hardees! We have several moments where we have felt terrified and wondering what we have gotten ourselves into when it comes to the language. Why didn't someone tell me Russian was hard!? At any rate we are enjoying class despite its difficulty and working thought it. We haven't had a lot of time to write the last couple weeks. But we will be emailing you all a newsletter soon.

In Christ,
Jon (my new name is Dimitri Johanviech Gainer and Jenny is Jyanna Davidavnya Gainer)