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Girls’ Night
One of the first things Erika said was that all the new missionary wives and interns plan slumber parties for the girls in the student center. My mind set to work dreaming up games and planning food for all the people who would come. I tried to get a feel for local customs and what they usually did in the past, but it was a bit difficult. So, I decided to plan a lot of activities like I would for a young girl’s group at home. I thought back to my job as a camp counselor last summer and tried to think of fun get-to-know-you activities.
My American self worked overtime, making chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and pizza for the big event. What slumber party is complete without junk food?
Earlier that morning, I had discovered that our oven didn’t work. So I had hiked from the apartment to the student center and back to bake the cookies, brownies, and pizza. Dr. Mays had warned me that my internship in Ukraine would be a bit more ‘pioneer’ than Amsterdam. I have a washing machine so I consider myself blessed beyond measure.
That night the girls trickled in and we ended up with a group of about eight. It was smaller that I expected, but everyone donned their pj’s and dove into the spread of food.
I reheated the pizza and served it to the girls. One politely asked for mayonnaise and ketchup. I looked around to see what she could possibly want Mayo and ketchup for, but then she explained that she likes to put it on her pizza. I headed for the kitchen, confused but ready to accommodate my guests. I would soon learn that students in Ukraine put mayonnaise and ketchup on practically everything. Unfortunately, I have picked up the practice and adapted to the taste. It is cheap and ‘a way to get in your vegetables,’ as one Ukrainian put it.
Ukrainian girls are like any others, and we talked and talked as the food on the table slowly disappeared. Finally, one turned and asked if I wanted to read them my story. I had prepared a story instead of preaching. I’ve discovered that I like stories better and they seem to resonate with our age group in a powerful way. Anyhow, who wants to preach at a slumber party? So, I read them a story that I adapted from one I had heard before. It is more of a parable, about God’s love for us and how awesome His mercy is.
Afterward we transitioned to the computer room and one girl showed a mime to a Casting Crowns song. It was really powerful. We started watching random videos and I decided to show them a piece of LeTourneau University. I showed one video about the women of LeTourneau and then I showed them the music video for Al Yanchovic’s White and Nerdy and explained that I go to school with a lot of awesome people just like that.
We popped in a chick-flick and I fell asleep to the Russian dubbed movie. It was a good night with good people who amaze me with the way they accept my new face.
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