Odessa Mission
Members of Olivet Christian Church visit Odessa Mission
These pictures were provided by John Wilson who visited Odessa and KRCC in early
July 2005 as part of the Olivet group. We appreciate John sharing these
pictures with us and I understand he took about 270 pictures during the trip
and maybe we can persuade him to share some others when he gets time to review
them. Thanks John.
Vienna Airport - This was taken enroute to Odessa. From left to right are
Dolores, Marj, Jean, and Angie. The guys of the group (except John who took
the picture) are apparently out "looking around" the airport.
First Sunday in Odessa - Kids from KRCC presented special music for the
visiting Olivet group during the Sunday, July 3rd morning service.
Jean and Ira - The kids at KRCC presented gifts to Jean and Ira during the
Sunday, July 3rd morning service.
"Emmett preaching in Odessa " - here's my Dad preaching at KRCC this morning (
July 3rd).
"John Wilson" - here's John Wilson sharing a few brief thoughts at KRCC this
morning (July 3rd). It was clear to all that the Lord is already touching his
life in a very special way and for that we praise God!
"KRCC worship" - this was during the worship time at our service today.
We sang four songs that the Olivet team knew so they praise God in English
while the rest worshiped in Russian.
"Vance's gift" - here's Ira handing Vance Fitzgerald a gift that KRCC's kids
made for each member of the Olivet group. We had all the team members come
up separately to receive their gift while our church applauded and expressed
their love and gratitude.
Alexander Our Driver - This is the man that drove us around Odessa to show us
the sights and get us where we needed/wanted to go. He was very friendly,
personable, and helpful.
Baptist Church - The Baptists are one of the largest Protestant denomination
in the Ukraine. John worked closely with the Baptists when he was getting
started in the ministry in Odessa. This church is located not far from where
KRCC meets.
Alexander the van driver - To travel around Odessa as a group was made much
easier with the help of a very friendly van driver named Alexander.
Therefore, public bus transportation (although very good) was avoided.
Alexander was so kind and pleasant that he soon became "one of the gang".
Vienna Austria restaurant - Two of the major air routes into Odessa from
outside the Ukraine are through Vienna, Austria and Warsaw, Poland. Because of
the travel time involved from the United States (12 plus hours), grabbing a bite
to eat in the La Grande restaurant in Vienna was a good idea for (L to R) Vance,
Jean, and Angie.
Russian tank in Odessa - When we think of former Russian states, it is natural
to think of their military. Here we see John Wilson who was in the United States
military standing beside a symbol of the "old days" in Odessa.
Odessa Airport - No travelogue would be complete without a picture of the
airport where you landed and departed from Odessa.
Ukrainian dress display - In one of the restaurants the team visited in Odessa,
there was this display of native dresses. It helps dispel the myth many of us
have of Russians being drab and dreary.
'Vance and Angie" - here's Vance and Angie Fitzgerald in their hand-crafted
Ukrainian national clothing at an Uzbek restaurant after church this morning.
And, yes, they did clean their plates!
Dormitory at Baptist Church - Rather than staying in a local hotel, the
dormitory facility at the church was used by many of the Olivet group during
their week-long visit to Odessa.