Khirkov, Ukraine Trip...

Funny experiences seem to follow me, even to a land void of joy. The people on the streets there believe people who smile are either drunk or crazy. Although Ukraine was not on my top-ten-places-to-visit list, I ended up there on a mission trip anyway, but that is totally a different story.

After organizing my clothes so I could locate my toiletries and pajamas, I decided a soak in the deep narrow bathtub was in order.  I took my book so I could wander into a world of fiction and enjoy a relaxing, therapeutic bath. When the tensions of the day subsided, my eyes became heavy.  I thought I needed to get out and go to bed properly before I fell asleep in the tub.

Now you recall I said my knees were stiff and I was exhausted and there was only one key, right?  When I tried to push up out of the tub, I discovered I just might be stuck there for the night.  The tub was much higher than the ones at home and a ledge to push myself up on was available only on one side.  The other side was flush with the wall.  Try as I might, I failed in extricating my body.  “Aha, if I can just roll over on my tummy I can get in a three-point stance and stand up,” I mistakenly reasoned.  As I attempted to turn, I then got stuck on my side.  By that time, I thought sleeping in the tub was inevitable.  I knew my fellow travelers couldn’t hear me if I called for help because they were on the next floor up.  The lady at the desk spoke no English, and even if she could hear and understood me, she couldn’t get in because I had carefully locked my room with the “only key.”             

I’m sorry to confess only then did I think to pray.  “God, if you can move mountains and part seas, I know you can help me out of this narrow tub.  I promise I will never sit down in it again if you will perform this one miracle.” 
 
“Ask and ye shall receive.”  Finally, with my very last energy, I belly-flopped, got in that graceful three-point stance, and stood up. (You are visualizing this, aren’t you?) “Thank you, Jesus,” I said aloud.
 
I really saw no humor in the situation that night, but when I told the saga the next morning, my companions thought it hilarious.  That was only the first humorous happenings on the trip.
 
In a couple of days, our itinerary took our group by train from Kiev to Khirkov.  The sleeper cars weren’t conducive to great sleep.  Our bleary-eyed group was met by the Khirkov missionary who took us to his apartment for a wonderful breakfast and a meeting with other Khirkov team members.  A combination of lack of sleep, travel fatigue, and full bellies made it difficult for us to keep our eyes open during the worship time.  At the close of this session, the missionary suggested we have a time of round-robin prayers.  I feared if I closed my eyes, my body would think it nap time for sure.  I risked it nonetheless.  Meaningful concerns were being expressed to God as each of us prayed in turn.  Amidst the reference of the moment, a rude sound emanated from the direction of the missionary who sat in his recliner.  I stifled a giggle, as did my co-travelers.  Then the sound came again – and again and again.  There was no hope in containing the laughter at that point.  When I opened one eye to see the others' reactions, I saw the wife go behind the chair to quieten the snoring Mastiff hound – the same family pet who threw up on the floor as we ate breakfast - who lay behind the recliner.
 
A bit of humor during serious moments help us to not take ourselves too seriously. I think even the angels and God must have had a chuckle at those scenarios.