Joe Ragan

Wednesday morning I met with a group of professors at the Economics University.  We had planned to meet during their long break and enjoy tea and cake.

While we were enjoying catching up on all the summer activities, the head of the English department asked me if I had time to speak to some of their fifth year students.  All of them spoke English fairly well and so we had a pretty good discussion.

One professor asked that we not discuss politics, which caused us to have a conversation about economics can ever be divorced from politics.  I think political leaders have tremendous influence on a governments fiscal policy and therefore their political leanings have tremendous influence in the overall direction and shape of said country’s economic policy.

We discussed at length the situation in Europe today.  Greece continues down a slippery slope, and everyone is wondering if Spain and Italy will follow.  The German chancellor and French president are working hard to keep the Euro afloat.

We discussed the financial policies of Ukraine, including the passage of a new law that requires everyone to show their passport when exchanging money.  One student shared a story of a friend who exchanged 2,000 USD for Ukrainian hryvna.  Soon afterwards, the tax police sent this person a letter demanding taxes be paid on the money.

So, again our discussion came full circle and we were back at square one.  Can economics and politics ever be separate?  For me, the quick and short answer is no.  What do you think?

Well, after almost a month without my computer, I am back “online.”  I was using a small netbook while my computer went to the US to get repaired.

All of my passwords are stored on this computer and trying to get online to update my blog proved to be difficult.  Even when I had the password reset, trying to use a computer that was 6×5 was tiring to my eyes and to my patience…

So, finally, after getting my computer back yesterday and having a few minutes I decided to get online and let everyone know I am still in Donestk.  There is a team here from Russellville, AR to do a sports camp.  The weather forecast calls for rain every day this week. Hopefully it won’t rain all day every day…

It’s good to be back!

Shortly after moving to Donetsk, I purchased some tickets to a football match.  While buying the tickets, they had advertisements up around the ticket booth about a FAN-ID card.  Purchase the card for 10 griven, then purchase tickets to two home games and you get priority for purchasing tickets to the Champions League.

Of course, the application has a place for your email and mobile numbers.  Since then, I get regular updates on the football team via email and info about tickets via SMS on my mobile.  I had purchased tickets to two home games so it gave me priority to purchase tickets to the UEFA Champions League.

Yesterday, I received an SMS from the team telling me that tickets would go on sale this morning for those with priority.  So, I went to the stadium expecting long lines, but was able to purchase 2 tickets to all three home games for the Champions League.  I was amazed at how easy it was.  My favorite area had already sold out, so I had to purchase in a different area.

I will not tell you to what lengths I had to go to to see Champions League games in Kiev a few years ago, and we could only purchase the tickets a few days before the match.  Amazingly, most good seats were gone, even if you went on the first morning that tickets were on sale.  Plus, you could only get tickets for one game at a time.

I am EXTREMELY impressed with the marketing of the Donetsk Shakhtar team.  They are using a variety of methods to keep people informed, even using new technology.

I am excited about seeing Arsenal from England in November.  That should be a great game.  I really like Shakhtar’s chances of getting into the knock out stages next spring.  Akhmetov (the owner and richest man in UA) is committed to putting a first class team on the field and shows it by going after players.

Now, I just hope I am able to get tickets to the biggest rivalry match between Shakhtar and Dynamo Kyiv in early October…

Dr Rankin, soon to be retired president of IMB, started blogging a few months ago.  (more…) (more…)

I made a trip to Donetsk on Friday to meet with several potential partners and to see the city.  Overall, my first impressions are incredibly favorable.

My supervisor and I flew to Donetsk and were met by a pastor who drove us to his church.  In most large cities, there is a Central Baptist Church, however, in most places, there is nothing “central” about its location.  It usually indicates the first church in the city.  They either bought or were given land to build, but their location is rarely in the center of the city.

Anatoliy took us to the church and as soon as we pulled up I recognized the place.  I have actually been to the church in 1995 and 1996.  In 1995, they hosted a large youth meeting with about 1,000 young people in attendance.  In 1996 I was visiting friends in Donetsk and preached during their morning service.

We met with Anatoliy for almost 2 hours.  It was a joy to hear his vision for starting new work in the city.

Later, we met up with another colleague who had driven down for the meeting.  We had lunch and then went to see the apartment where I will live.  It is in the center of the city, one block away from an incredibly beautiful park and within walking distance of many of other things in the downtown area.

We had dinner at the Tequila Boom, a Tex-Mex restaurant (also near the apartment!!!).  I was pleasantly surprised by their chips and salsa!  I enjoyed the steak and rice dinner.  Another colleague ordered nachos and a burrito with pinto beans.  (You don’t see pinto beans here often!!!)

The next morning, we met with a young man and his wife who have a small church group meeting in the center of the city.  They seem to be committed to the work the Lord has placed them in with lots of potential!

Afterwards, we walked to a bookstore nearby to purchase some maps of the city so that I can do further research and learn the city somewhat by the maps.  Overall, it was a great time.

As we walked back to our vehicle, we passed by a beautiful rose garden.  Ilya told us that during Soviet times, Donetsk was known as the City of Roses and they are trying to re-establish that idea.  I was impressed by the cleanliness and beauty of the city.

I am heading to Donetsk this Friday morning.  I will travel there with a couple of colleagues.  We have a couple of meetings with leaders there.  I am hopeful to see the apartment where I will live once I move to Donetsk.  Also, we are going to check out the city as well.

I hope to take some photos and will post more after I return on Saturday evening…