Traveling from L’viv to Kyiv Ukraine
Though numerous trains travel in every direction across the Ukraine, only one new, and very fast train travels directly from L’viv to Kyiv in the daytime, without stopping along the way. Desiring to see more of this area but discovering that driving on local roads marked only with occasional signs in Ukrainian was nearly impossible. Therefore, I settled for the very early morning train. Unexpectedly, but quite welcomed, the hotel graciously provided boxed meals for the six am departure.
By purchasing the tickets months before the scheduled trip–with reserved seating–I thought this secured an easier travel method. It did not. If I understood Ukrainian train systems I would have printed the tickets off my computer prior to arriving at the Train Depot. Thus, problem one arose: without speaking or understanding Ukrainian, I failed to be able to communicate with the train agents. Frantically searching for someone in the station to speak English, we found only two passengers willing and able to do so. Then problem two: the computer system couldn’t find our tickets online–not only were our names not in Ukrainian, the system needed the “code” found on the Ukrainian tickets. Thinking of purchasing new tickets to solve the dilemma, problem three was discovered: no purchase of another ticket is possible since tickets were already purchased for this particular train ride–apparently only one ticket per passenger is allowed. With the departure time nearing (while scrambling for English speaking passenger and running through all the options that didn’t work) problem four became apparent: the train arrival was less than 15 minutes away. God is faithful. He is everywhere.
God provided the right person, at just the right moment, to discover a solution to this dilemma. Pull the info up on my computer; he’d use the info to relay the ticket code to the ticket agent (in Ukrainian); she could then find the passenger names; and print a new copy of the original tickets. Hurray.
Hoping trains are “late,” the next hurdles: electronic train info is all in Ukrainian so determining which direction (tunnel and stairways) will train arrive; walk up numerous flights of stairs (no escalator or elevators); pull six suitcases up the stairways without leaving any behind at either the top or bottom of stairway (no security); avoid using my injured arm/elbow; and determine which track at the top of stairway holds the correct train to board!
In hindsight, everything worked out in the nick-of-time. I didn’t need to become frantic. God makes a way even when all seems lost. He understands my frailties and human condition. He patiently and lovingly reveals a way.
From a comfortable seat, I watched the scenes pass by.
Settling into the correct seat number, within the correctly numbered railcar, on the right train, the train chugged forward. The train never slowed down or stopped for the next six hours. I watched as the topography changed from flat open fields to small groves of trees to a smattering of modest rural homes (some grouped together and others far apart) and upon occasion, a few towns.
Close to L’viv groves of trees line the railway.
Homes seen in the far distance.
Small villages seen in the distance
For six hours I pondered life–mine and those I’ve met in this western area of Ukraine. My senses feel overloaded. Though I gained more than enough information to complete the novel begun years ago, I now yearn to know the people better. But, without speaking or understanding Ukrainian I am limited. Could I accurately describe this country or the people without traveling here? Perhaps, but not in the way I do now. It will take quite some time to mentally process these experiences.
Beautiful small groves of white birch trees appeared when least expected but always a welcome sight. In countries with lengthy histories trees are a valued commodity. Often removed for construction, furnishings and to clear land for farming, those that remain are not only beautiful, they are valuable.
Train tracks line this area of Ukraine and remain the only real connection between families.
Nicer homes appeared upon occasion.
Almost at the end of this short journey. Nearing Kyiv, the small rail stations give way to larger ones until finally reaching the outskirts of the capital city of Ukraine. After seeing God work out the details boarding this train, I know He continues to do so as we depart it.
Small train depots for villages.
Entering into the Kyiv train station.
Final approach to Ukraine’s capital, the older and more traditional trains (green) are seen on parallel train tracks.
My injured arm causes me to rely on others and even more so, on God. Gone is the ability to climb up or down steep steps to board trains; negotiating steep train platforms dragging a few suitcases and carrying a bag is almost impossible; my mind flashes back to falling down the stairway every time I look up or down a stairway. In the midst of all these thoughts is an older gentleman at the bottom of the train stairway asking if I need assistance. He grabs the heavy suitcases and explains in broken English that he is a “driver for hire.” Do we need help?
Trust or not to trust. I see police standing everywhere. There are no other private taxi drivers in this part of the station. Accepting his assistance, he quotes a price to deliver us safely to our hotel. I think to myself, Perhaps this man is just more eager and hungry to earn income than those waiting for passengers in front of the rail station. I asked God for help. Here is my help in time of need, so I gladly accept the help.
God desires us to trust wants us to bring everything to him. He won’t leave me. He is everywhere. I choose to trust. As in Psalm 31:14 when David states very simply and clearly:
“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.'”
God is not limited to answering my prayers in the way I imagine. This man so eager to help has an elderly wife to care for. At this moment, his needs are supplied at the same moment mine are. The income I provide is an answer to his prayer. I tell him, he is an answer to mine.
Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”
