it's Christmas!

The snow is falling and the boys have sung to us!
God is good!!!!

We wish our family and friends the best christmas ever and our love and prayers support you wherever you are.

love Ron & Lyn

We began December by moving to a new , larger apartment.
It is in a block of units of 15 floors with four apartments on each floor.

We have 2 balconies - and so we have put some pots out ready to plant spring bulbs - when we find out where to buy them.

Entry hall - full length mirrors - probaly built in the 50's

Very Blue outlook on everything. And yes that is the washing machine in the kitchen.

Chandelier - takes a bit to clean too!

The boys sent angels for our tree


Ron has a small study area

Very blue loo too!!!

Visit to the kindergarten

We set off early down the country road to visit a kindergarten where 100 children attend each day

The buildings were nearly a century old and the play equipment just as ancient

It was nap time and even the 6 year olds had afternoon nap - 2 hours of time out.

this little one had to get up for a call of nature - but straight back to bed

Soon it was afternnon tea time.

after they had washed their hands - no running water here

The water had been drawn from this well and carried 100 metres to the big house

We looked at the equipment that had been purchased - new windows, new toys

Before we left - some of had to 'go for a walk' before the long drive home. The facilities were the building on the left of this picture. This is where the kids go - note the walk from the house - think of cold snowy days and the run across the yard up the slippery path -







Instructions - boys to the left - girls to the right!

We arrived safely home - having found another place to stop on the way for the most desperate.

It was a most interesting day - observing totally dedicated staff caring for young Moldovan children in the most difficult circumstances to our way of Western thinking and the luxuries that we have at home. But this is not an unusual arrangement in the post soviet days of Moldova as the communities grapple with building infrastructure and moving into this century.

a week in moldova

THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF NARRATIVE OF OUR RECENT VISIT TO MOLDOVA. We stayed at the home of the Callanders - Aussies who currently are the Divisional Commanders. Moldova in size equals about half the size of Tassie with more than 5 times the population.

Monday 24th Nov. – we departed Moscow early morning arriving in Moldova for lunch. Following lunch the afternoon was spent in a range of meetings and discussion with Oxana ( Project worker) her assistant Eric and also other Divisional Staff. We also caught up on emails and Ron did some further work on the next project Board. The work continues even while we are on the road.
Monday evening we dined out with other visitors in Moldova at this time. Andy's Pizza - but they do nice steaks, salds and the sweets were scrumptuous.
We concluded the day with a visit to the DHQ apartment that is currently being renovated as a project. Work is nearing completion and funds have been spent. That was about a 15 hour day!


Tuesday 25th.
A trip to the embassy to secure our return visa to Russia took most of the morning. We were pleasantly surprised with the speed and attention to have this processed in just 1.5 hours - we had expected to take a week for this to happen.
During the afternoon we continued our discussion with project worker and sat in on a Divisional Project Board.

Wednesday 26th.
Lyn worked with Oxana looking at Child Sponsorship while Ron spent some time with Eric the Swedish Volunteer who has arrived for a year to work at DHQ and in the division. The afternoon was spent a range of work related activities and emails. During the day there was a large snow fall - it was amazing to sit in the office - looking out the window as huge snow flakes fell and covered the ground. The workers on the building site next door continued to work through the day.

Thursday 27th
With an early start we headed off in the Bus to accompany Ian, Viv, Oxana, Eric & Galena. We visited Chadir Lunga Corps to deliver humanitarian Aid , then on to Cahul to look at the hall building under construction. The main purpose of our trip was to visit a Kindergarten that had received project funding for improvements. This Kindergarten is situated in the southern part of the country some 3 hour drive from the capital. Situated in a small rural village, the centre accommodated 100 children for 7 hours a day which included 3 meals. A ‘western equivalent’ would see this as a child care centre. A place for smaller children to attend while mum & dad worked. Here there is no doubt that mum & dad were out to work – most likely in the farming fields around the village.
The drive to the village across the rural areas took us through the fields and many small villages along the way. It was an interesting introduction to the way of life here in Moldova. The sights and scenes along the way telling the story of the way of life here, of struggle and subsistence living. The common sight of water wells reminding us that there was no running water in these villages. The daily task of collecting water to meet their needs from strategically placed wells is the part of life in these regions. The view into their yards - to see the animals and livestock contained in the small area. The garden plot staked out, with preserved grain and corn hung out to meet the needs of the winter months. The deteriorated and aging infrastructure reminded you constantly of the journey of this region through the soviet era and now into privatisation. Who is now responsible to repair the road that is so full of pot holes, the buildings that are falling down. The common means of transport in these region still remains the horse and cart although vehicles are becoming more evident as they also make the travel through the narrow roadways more difficult. The sight of small herds of animals from the villages being shepherded along the roadways is a way of life as the animals are grazed and at the end of the day each animal is returned to their homes. It was interesting when we travelled into the late afternoon to watch the cows who found their way naturally back into the yards. Sheep need a little more direction and require herding. But at the end of the day the shepherd takes the flock he has cared for and drives them through the centre of the village and delivers the animal to the home from which they came. Most of these small villages are only one street and so you definitely drive through the centre of town.

The Kindergarten we visited welcomed us with a typical Moldovan meal and then we were given a tour of the facility. We entered each of the rooms where children are cared for in their age groups from 3 to 7 years when they start school. We toured each of the rooms where the children were in their afternoon nap period. Each little bed contained a small person and in some cases they lay awake and looked up from their beds with their big eyes as these visitors intruded into their space. We were able to see the resourceful way they use limited resources. We looked at equipment they purchased with the funds and also some essential refurbishment and new play and teaching resources. Again we reminded of the legacy of post soviet management. Here was a very old building – no sewerage, no running water, the toilet block an external outhouse, the kitchen in an separate building across the yard with no connecting pathways. Thee water supply was from a well with a hand winding bucket on a chain from which all water was collected each day. This was their way of life.

At first we began to be concerned that there was no running water, and then we saw the toilet block – a concrete building with 20 small holes in the concrete floor (boys to the left and girls to the right – no divider) No sewerage connection. You cannot have one without the other, no running water without the drain to clear it. The problem is complex. The town council who manage the site have been promising for years that something will be done – but there are no funds. And there are so many other priorities. The roof leaks badly in this very old building, there is little heating. The play equipment in the yard is ancient but well used. We observed the kids waking from their naps and the trek they would make to go to the outside toilet to ‘squat’ over the hole in the ground in a cold concrete building some 50 yards from the house. We shuddered at the thought of it ( and crossed our legs not wanting to go there) – but soon realised that what they had here was probably far better than they would have in their home situation and it definitely was clean, well, as clean as you make a 100 year old concrete slab! We spent a few minutes with the younger children as they had their evening meal of milky rice and watched as parents came to collect their kids at the end of the day. We struggled with the magnitude of the need. What could we do? What should we do? And the most sobering thought was that here in Moldova there were probably 200 more Kindergartens just like this. Here were very dedicated teachers shaping the lives of future Moldovans, 7 hours a day, making the best of every resource they could acquire and in a clean and orderly environment making a difference in the lives of these young people.

We arrived home later in the evening from the return journey through narrow potholed roads reflecting on the different way of life here and thinking about what we as an army are doing or could be doing in this place.


Friday 28th Nov
It was back in the bus again as we travelled to visit the project as Rusca womens Prison. Here the Army has developed a project in the prison to teach basic computer skills. The programme is run three times per year so that 15 ladies nearing release are able to gain a certificate in computer skills. A computer teacher is employed three days per week and one day per week we have a support worker come in to do personal and spiritual development with these ladies. This she does over a meal and a cuppa whilst the ladies are in their class time. The relationship with prison authorities is excellent and we have an open door to the prison for these activities. There is also need for humanitarian aid here which is distributed as needed as the ladies are not supplied with clothing and must supply their own, which in many cases is not possible.

We were given a tour of the facility – to see the accommodation and work areas. Some 200 ladies are in this place. This is a program of excellence and is making a difference in the lives of these ladies.

Saturday 29th Nov
Today we again travelled out into a rural village to observe the medical clinic in action. We started out from the ‘medical centre’ in Chisinau that is operated by Doctor Carraman and his team. This clinic is open for the poorest people and provides medical checks and free medication. The ‘mobile’ clinic takes up to 8 doctors out to a village to respond to the medical needs of the village people and distribute free medication to people who might not otherwise be able to access this care. We pay the doctors $30 for this days work. There are 45 clinics held each year. We arrived at the village of Negrea to see the queue of people spilling out onto the path. The 2 room waiting area wall to wall with people. Today there is no electricity. The wood fires were being stoked for heating. The people were gathered around for a bible reading – Dr Carraman says they need Jesus more than the medicine – so we have a short message and prayer before we start. Notice is given that this is the last time the clinic will come to this village. Budget restraints will change the course of work into the future. Also changing medical response in communities means that we need to look again at this work we have done for many years now in this format. And so there were some speeches to acknowledge the work of the clinic, the queues reformed and the doctors get to work. Aproximatley 200 people will be seen before the day is over.

The doctors set up in their small rooms – the cardiologist and GP in one room, the paediatrician in another, the gynaecologist in another and the ladies GP and nurse in another. In the other room the dispensary was set out and the pharmacist would distribute free medication as prescribed by the doctors.

Today was typical of the other village days – where most of the people would walk long distances to come to the clinic or arrive in their horse and cart. Through the dense crowded waiting room they waited their turn to be seen by the doctor, some just for checkup and medication, some quite ill. We observed one young boy being checked for chronic tonsillitis – his throat nearly closed over with infection and glands the size of large marbles. There is some emphasis on vitamins and natural remedies but also there is a large supply of medication distributed and some of the elderly were observed to depart with plastic bags full of medication to keep them going for the next months until the clinic would return. Young mums were given 2 tins of baby formulae and vitamins.
On this day there was a wheelchair from the humanitarian aid shipment to be delivered to an elderly lady bedridden because of a stroke. Ian was the driver of the bus and we were led up a very slippery, narrow track to reach the village house to deliver the chair. We entered the home of this lady who had not left her bed for 2 years. We spent a few minutes in the house and Ian & Viv were lead to pray with the family – they in their language and we in English. The Lord’s Prayer is something that unites us whatever our culture or language. It is understood and shared. The road down the hill was slightly improved and we made it safely back to the main road – but it was good Ian’s blood pressure was not checked then. It had been a very challenging and difficult road to negotiate.

We arrived home late into the evening again as the slow and dangerous potholed roads of country Moldova presented its challenges to the driver. This again was a day to witness the army in action – following its slogan – Heart to God ---Hand to man.

Sunday 30th
We opted for a short drive today and attended the Sunday service at Chisinau Central Corps. Today being the first Sunday of advent the meeting involved a number of the Home League ladies in readings and candle lighting It was good to sing some carols (in Russian) and be reminded that Christmas is coming. There was a good spirit in the meeting and a small group of young people departed for their activities during the meeting. On our way home we had a look at the market area – this is where Moldovans go shopping. It has previously been described as ‘Victoria Market on steroids’. Absolutely a challenge to every sense – all the sights , smells and sounds that you could imagine. I think I am now vegetarian!!! The fish market just passed as a possible source of food but the meat market????

Monday 1st. Dec.
Today was a day for observation and reflection. Ian & Viv were back to the office to catch up on work, as they had been out with us for the previous week. We took a stroll through the centre of Chisinau, down the main street, through the large church and other areas, parks and shops. We walked to the War memorial area to see the changing of the guard. The walk did us good as we took in further sights and sounds of this region and took some time out to think about the days and experiences of our week in Moldova

Tuesday 2nd Dec.
Our week came to a conclusion with some time in DHQ to catch up on emails and finalise any discussions and then it was to the airport for our return flight to Moscow. Our trip through passport control so different to the first flight form aus. From Moldova we were the only non nationals on the plane - everyone else went to the Russian section or to transit lounge. so we had the choice of 3 windows and it was straight through to pick up our bags and within 20 minutes of landing we were in the car and on the way back to our little flat. Our first visit brought us through large queues and waiting for nearly 2 hours. We were sitting drinking milo that Tara had sent to Moldova ( sure to get through post there) by 9pm and tucked into bed by 10.
It had been a most interesting week - good to see the army in action and also very good to share with fellow aussies. Great to relax in their home and catch up on stories from home and family.

So it is back to work in Moscow and the interesting world of Projects!!!

The Changing Face of Moscow

Moscow has not yet revealed herself in her white coat, but the days are getting shorter and colder. The sky is often grey and the wind has a distinct artic feel to it. The weather is not depressing as I thought it would be. Nor is it onerous to rug up in the morning and leave a warm flat for the walk to work.

It is stating the obvious but as the days get colder the coats get heavier and longer. The padding is thicker. Yet without the padding the cold would chill. So we rug up. It doesn't keep us in doors at the moment but no doubt when outside temperature hits the minus 20 or 30 mark in February travel will be at a minimum unless you're a ski junky or Mr Freeze.

We had a long weekend recently. Of course we had to work Saturday to get Sunday, Monday Tuesday off. We travelled up to the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics at Vorovoby Gory. It was a quite pleasant environment, away from the city into the some fresh air but this area attracts a lot of people aparticularly tourists. You also get a good view of the city and an idea of its spread both outward and upward. When you see the density of some of the apartment blocks you just know that there must be a lot of people living here.

The park is linked to the city by a freeway which is how all the tourist got there but it is also easy to reach on the metro which is our preferred mode of travel at the moment. Provided you can decypher the metro map or read the station names it is quite a quick and direct way to travel around Moscow. For example Lyn went to the airport today to meet a projects manager from Netherlands who are major support for the programmes and project that we provide in Eastern Europe Territory (EET), by metro it takes 40 minutes by car at least two hours unless you are travelling at 2:00pm and sane people are asleep then. Train is not the only way around, there is also trolley bus, tram and bus. They all have their place and in certain circumstances one is better than the other but sometime you need to take a combination to arrive close to where you need to be.

On this sightseeing day we returned to Red Square to check some of things we hadn't seen before and revisit some that we had. We are finding that things change very quickly in this city. Last time in Red Square the rear view of St. Basils was obscured by a big marque this had now be taken down and it was quite a transformation that greeted us when we arrived this. Wide open space with banners that announced State Day which was the reason for the holiday. One of the highlights of this trip was seeing the changing of the guard at the soldiers' memorial. The precision goose step was great. It was a cold day but they didn't miss a step.

We continue to be amazed at the generousity of other territories who are committed to seeing

the work of the Armee Spaceenya develop in EET. There are some amazing programmes operating throughout Eastern Europe. The mobile Medical Clinic in Moldova, the feeding programme at the rubbish tip in Ukraine, the laundry programme in Romania, the refugee humanitarian relief work in Georgia, the Bridge programme and work amongst HIV infected people and their families in Russia are but a few amongst many services and ministries that it is humbling to play a very small part in.

Next week (18th November 2008) we need to leave Russia temporarily as our 3 month visa expires early in December. So we will be in Moldova for about a week applying for another visa which will be the catalyst for the 12 month visa and 12 month work permit that will enable us to move more freely between the countries that make up the EET. It will be good to see some programmes first hand and Moldova has a large variety of programmes and projects operating in this small country. We looking forward to catching up with Ian & Viv Callander and spending some aussie time. It will be much more lonely when we arrive back. During our absence 3 couples will all be returning to Australia. This will leave us to carry the Aussie flag at THQ.

Well this is probably enough for this blog. I want to leave you wanting more so that you will come back again and I will not just be writing to myself (I know I'm in trouble when I start answering myself). Let me know what you think of this site and if you have my personal email address or you are on my mailing list please continue to write it is such a help to know that even though distance separates us we are not out of touch . So until next time keep bloggin.

R

holes in the ground

It does not matter where you go in Moscow you will find these little man holes. And very often the lid will be up and a small flag indicates that someone is working beneath. They can be on paths, middle of lawns and especially common in the middle of roads. It is a constant reminder that there is a large complex undergound system. Firstly the rail or metro as called here is undergound and there are 11 major lines traversing all the corners of the city. Then there is a complex sewrage and water system that creates large undergound pathways. Anyone who has lived in Bendigo or Balllarat is aware of the complex undergound chasms created by the mines and I used to sometimes wonder why the ground didnt collpase. Well we were faced with a ground collpase at the back of our unit. A large hole just opened up - it started out as perhaps a 6 foot hole and maybe 6 foot deep and all the soil from the roadway disappeared into the hole. Before they had finished filling in with several deliveries of soil the hole had spread to maybe 15 feet wide. It was interesting to look down and and see the way the gound just opened up and swallowed the contents. People just mildly stepped around it and within a short time the hole was filled and once agian we are driving over it. I think the thing that surprises me the most is the way the Russian people take everyting in their stride. There is no way i am walking over that piece of ground and I carefully look each time I am near it to see any signs that the ground is dipping again.

I had an excursion to the Australian Embassy this week - seems they like you to register - just in case they want to contact you? So I went along and filled in yet another piece of paper. Looked at some nice pictures on the wall - took a patriotic picture in front of the flag and then it was back to work.

We continue to enjoy the challenges of living and working in a new culture. If I was to confess what i am missing this week - not counting family - then today it would be the peace and solitude of living in the country. Our flat is on a 6 lane city road and traffic noise is ever presnt all hours. Rarely do we hear a bird sing or a dog bark. Yesterday we took a walk in the hills and spent some time in nature and refreshed we face another week of spreadsheets and project proposals.

Trip to the Tourist Market & Red Square

The Tourist Market

Saturday 18th October we ventured further than our unit and THQ. I had finished my assignments for the semester so I had no exuse not to play tourist for the day. We hopped a train, changed from the pink line to the blue line (that means nothing to you I know) and ended up on the other side of the city at the tourist market. This is the place where you are supposed to find all those treasures that you take home and add to you dust specimens. It was an interesting place. It is built in a style that gives the impression it is old when it is not. On the lower level are all the tourist things - Russian dolls, fur hats with big red stars on them. As if I didn't stand out all ready, I was not buying one them even if they were reasonably priced. There were plenty of paintings and other arty things. I'm not cultured so there was no temptation there. I had heard that they sold belalikas here and that was of some interest. Here was a disappointment, sure they had them but they were ornamental, not what I was after.

Upstairs it was just like a trash and treasure stall. Some of the things looked like they had just been dug up from the tip and put on the floor. You could almost see the sign, "rare treasure, one owner, in the ground a hundred years". I guess with a bit of perserverence you may be able to find something. As I continued through the stalls I noticed a lot of military memorbilia, helmets, amunition, even an old machine gun. I could see the smile on the customs officer face now!!! In reality this market had everything and I mean in some stalls by themselves and yes overall as well. You will see a picture posted that is representative of a lot of the stalls. They really were a place where a bargain could be found and many things they sold could only be bought at this place.

In the afternoon we travelled on the train to Red Square. I guess you can't say that you have not been to Russia unless you have your picture taken in front of St.Basil's Cathedral. It is quite spectacular. No matter what time of the day or night you go there the place is busy. It is also popular with newly weds, who want to get that special picture. The brides always look spectacular in there flowing gowns. The wedding cars always seem to be a stretch something or other. I saw a stretched pink cadillac, and a stretched hummer. Flowers are the other thing that people seem to spend a lot of money on.

Red Square is one of those places, a bit like federation square in Melbourne, in that you never know what is going to be happening there when you visit. The day we visited the military were rehearsing for something or other. They had erected a big marque type building and had roped off a large section of the public area. The soldiers looked like they were getting final instructions on where to stand. Then without warning out trots a mounted soldiers and he starts to parade on his horse inside the barricaded area.

There is so much to see around this area. We spent an enjoyable afternoon walking around the wall, visiting the war memorial. We still didn't see everything. There are areas where you need to pay money, we will save that up until we have visitors. I think it will be more fun with others than just ourselves. We thought we would have a refreshment stop at the golden arches (yes they have that here too) but it was so busy we just couldn't get excited about waiting in line for that long. We had a quick look through one of the shopping malls, refused to pay 20rb for the use of the toilet, so we hopped on a train and went home.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog. If you do, leave your comments, who knows I might write another page some time. For now, all the best and say good'ay to a stranger. Look forward to connecting with you in blog land.

MoscowRon

I'm just wondering?

As we walk to work there is a little old lady standing in the underpass, she is elderly, its getting quite cold and she stands there with a small cup in her hand hoping that people will put in a few kopecs. She does not say much - just stands there. I don't know for how long. What will the kopecs buy her - they are of less value than our old cents. 10 of them make a ruble and she will need 10 rubles to buy a small bread roll.

I look out my window at work -oneof which overlooks the dumpster and I notice a lady probably in her 50's. She appears well enough dressed. She starts scratching in the dumpster - and finds something that looks a bit like jelly fruit and she moves to the back of the dumpster. She scratches through a few more bags. The care with which she opens the bags suggest she is not used to this - she hold them at arms length. And then she takes a spoon from her pocket and starts to eat from the container she had picked out. She realises its not edible and discards it and heads on her way. I watch her until she fades in the distance.

Today I stand and watch and wonder that God has brought us to this place. What can I do? I don't speak the language. If I feed them today they will be hungry again tomorrow. What is the answer. What should I do? What should our army be doing? How do we respond to such needs in such a great population.

May God give me the wisdom to know what I can do.

week 5

Our initial settling in has gone fairly smoothely. We can manage the transport, shopping and work. So the essentials are covered. Our small apartment is manageable although at times the crowded space gets on your nerves. The luxury of 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms of an Australian quarters is off the agenda for a while. Instead we are learning to mangae our space as needed in the one person bathroom and one person kitchen. Ron now has a good excuse not to 'dry up' - can't put two people in the kitchen at the same time. Mornings are the worst as we both try and get ready for work and manage breakfast, prepare lunch etc. The flat is also very hot so there is an agreement when we are ready to leave - you cannot put your jumper or coat on too soon as you boil while the other finishes getting ready. So if you are ready too soon you just go outside to wait. The entry doors to the flats are also different. Each has a steel framed door with a lock and you step into a small vestibule , which is dark to open another steel framed door which has 2 locks to enter the flat. I usually let Ron go ahead and open the doors and I follow or I leave before him and meet him outside. It is very different to be once again working so closely. We now have no car, share an office, and live in a tiny house. Good thing we are good friends.

This week has been a week for continuing to understand our new roles. There is a lot of paperwork and process in ensuring the projects are funded and that there is good accountability to ensure that donor money is spent correctly. Ron has also been busy this week with 2 major assignements. This has been complicated by our close living arrangements as we have the one room which is lounge, office, diningroom and clothes drying room. This has given me the opportunity for a couple of excursions so he could have the house to himself and no excuses for not working. On Friday after work I ventured off to the large shopping complex - a train and bus ride. I just wandered around and picked up a few household things, arriving home after 9. My first big excursion on my own. On Saturday I went with some of the other officers to a holiday house in the country for the day. Ron stayed home for study - but I had a lovely day out of the city. We sat around, drank tea and ate food, took a walk through some bushland arriving home around 9 again. It was just nice to get out of the city - masses of people noise and dust left behind for the natural forest of country russia. As you drive through the bushland you are reminded of the many war movies - you expect Hogans Heroes or Robert Redford to jump out of the forest - its that sort of bushland. The leaves have almost all fallen - just a few autumn colours remain. It has been very beauiful to watch the leaves fall. Now everyine is waiting for the first snowfall.

I visited a 'dacha' on saturday - a russian holiday house. They wern't all like this one. Guess what this one looked like inside?










complete with spiders webs - but I did not see any redbacks!





The steps to be taken to get our permanet work permit go on. We have been through a range of medical tests. Chest Xray, blood urine and sputum checks as well as an interview to talk about our drug and alcohol experiences. We have so far passed them all and have our peices of paper that will soon give us a green card. This means we leave the country to get a new visa to come back and convert the visa into a working visa for 12 months. Its all very complicated and the rules constantly change. We were to go to London for our visa - but they do not process in less than 2 weeks so we will go to Moldova which should be a quicker turn around. We can also do some work while we are there.
So it is back to work tomorrow, more files to read and cross check, a few meetings with other workers this week. Our routine is becoming settled and we are comfortable with where we are and what we are doing.

Emotions are funny things?

I am not prone to get too excited about things. I do get passionate and expressive - but I do not often get to the point of 'goose bumps' but I have had a couple of experiences recently.

Last weekend we visited to another officers home to see if the Grand Final was on the telly - when we discovered it I got very excited - not so much that I was following a team - but because I new at that very moment on the other side of the world my kids would be somewhere watching the match. We did not seem so far away. The other moment of excitement - that's 2 in a week was friday afternoon when our luggage arrived. Beside the extra clothing & shoes that we were needing - we at last would have some photos and books and some especially nice treats that people had given us before our departure. It did not take to long to pull the 21 boxes apart - 3 of them filled again with packing paper and it was time to find some places for everything. We are in a temporary apartment - one small lounge and one bedroom so it did not take much to fill all the spots. We have managed to eat one packet of Tim Tams over the weekend - well we did have american visitors for afternoon tea on Saturday - so we shared them.

I get excited as well when I hear from home - either by note or by phone. Skype is a blessing and we sometimes manage to see the boys through the camera. It brings everyone closer.

The Corps here in Moscow is an interesting place. Hard to really describe and difficult to guage the size yet. It is currently inflated with cadets in session and with a number of ex pat officers attending. But each week there are different people and not a Sunday has gone by without the mercy seat being used. The band ventured out for another openair today. It is difficult to get permission to hold an open air. So we just go and there is a fear that the police will come and make it difficult. Today as we playded a large troop of Militis came toward us. 3 abreast they marched toward us and then down into the Metro. Then an amazing sight. One of the Militia assisted an elderly, disabled uniformed Salvation Army soldier up the stairs out of the metro. It was good to see. The cadets have been a little timid in this new experience - but today you could see them building in confidence. The police did come today - ask what we were doing and went on their way. God is Good and with the sun shining it was good all round.

Its back to work tomorrow - the man we have replaced has now departed we are on our own - orientation is over. The job is ours to do. it going to be interesting!!!!!
regards
Lyn

the heater came on

The city turned on some heaters this week. Progressively the hot water units that heat houses are magically switched on. The down side is that this is what your hot water tap looks like until the pipes clear.

The weather is quite mild this week although it is expected to cool again. We have had no rain since we brought our umberellas. The leaves are changing colour and falling from the trees. There are lots of parks around - some of them very pretty, with lots of sculptures and art work. We found a complex fountain when we got lost at a bus depot last week. A mixture of flowing water shapes and lights. Very pretty. next time we will have the camera.

The Salvation army in Moscow is small in comparison to the size of the city ( 12 million people are thought to live in Moscow)and the army still trying to establish itself. It does not have the luxury of a well established history and logo to identify it in the community. This was highlighted last week when the band took to the street for the first time in a number of years..We were down from the hall at the metro station. Just a small band of 8 players. The flag had been placed in a stand in the circle. A local baboushka - (short, elderly russian lady) walked right up into the centre of our circle - looked around at us, and taking the end of the flag completely unfurled it held it out, studyied it and, satisfied she went on her way. Would have made a great picture. The cadets are in session and so this was a new experience for them. We are not sure how long we will do openairs - little difficult to do when the snow comes - they tell us the mouthpiece stick to your lips!

Today we felt a little closer to home. After 3 weeks of no english Tv we decided to visit some other officers who had cable Tv to watch the grandfinal. It was exciting to watch it and realise that my kids on the other side of the world were sitting and watching it too. We turned down the russian commentary and listened through the internet to ABC. The day did not go all to plan - the Cats failed to complete the task.

At work we continue to look at files and records to understand our new roles. The territory is very dependant on funding from overseas and so our roles are crucial in ensuring adequate funding and accountability so that the work can be done and grow. It will be challenging - but its all good.

Till next time...Lyn

I've found hot chocolate

Russians drink black tea with lots of sugar or coffee. I finally found a hot cocolate place!

Week 2

We continue to make discoveries every day. Language learning continues - but there are some things that just dont need translation! Ron is most intent in his language learning and is well on his way to learning the new alphabet and he shares his new found knowledge with me. Words will follow and we hope to start with a tutor shortly.

We are managing to survive living out of our cases as we await the arrival of our luggage. The Tim Tams will be greatly appreciated if not stolen by customs.

We have walked to work each day - about 20 min so this has been good for us. Groceries are only what we can carry home in our hands, so we shop regularly and are managing surprisingly well without a car. The temperature dropped rapidly and is hovering around 5 - 8 degrees each day. When we have 5 days below 5 degrees the city will turn on the heating system - till then you rug up and wait!

On Tuesday of this last week we ventured out to the Choir practice - a fairly professional choir preparing for the Messiah at Christmas - they do 3 charity concerts at christmas and the choir is made up of 'ex pats' and practice is at the Finnish Embassy. Very interesting - we had a 2 hour practice and never sang a word - just notes! This is more up ron's ally - but will be good for me to go out and meet other people outside of work. Last week I sat next to the Australian Ambassador who also sing soprano.

Thursday night was band practice - Ron & I have picked up instruments again and joined the 'orchestra' We also held an openair on Sunday and played in the meeting.

On Saturday we found our way to a different shopping centre - this is the biggest in Europe! - absolutely huge - and very busy by lunch time - so we left. Needed to get home to see who the cats were playing next week.

Work for us is mostly admin at present as we look at files and history of project work across the Territory. Won't always be that - hopefully we will be released from the desk soon to get out and really see what is happening.

Till next week - love from Lyn & Ron

Off to work we go

Our days of a small country drive to DHQ are over. Now it is a 20 minute walk with the temperature rapidly dropping. The THQ building is set in the midst of a busy metro, high rise apartments and shops. There are many trees surrounding and some kids play areas. The building is over 100 years old. You realise that, as you enter and find your way through a maze of small offices. In fact some workers are placed in areas we would use as a broom closet at home. It is quite amazing to see the way work is done over here. Every potential space is used for something. Storage is found wherever it can be placed and stacked to the roof.
The dining room is in the basement and you sit in a communal dining room with floral plastic table cloths. The TC & Chief have modest offices on the middle of the three floors.
Our office on the top floor looking out over a tree filled park. They tell us when the snow falls it is the best view.
There is no luxury of a welcome receptionist, no lcd screens, but the latest war cry in the foyer with some army pictures remind you of where we are.
And so our work begins. Lots of paperwork to begin but we look forward to finding ways to connect with people and make a difference in this place.

Language learning

We ventured out yesterday to discover a large shopping mall. Our limited lanuage learning has been bolstered as we studyed the important symbols. No we did not eat any - just had a coffee.

We shopped for some essential things to keep us going until our luggage arrrives in a couple of weeks.

We are creatures of habit and one of the things we keep forgetting is that on escalators you stand on the right hand side and leave room for the fast walkers on the left. Just like the roads this is opposite to what we know. The metro - or underground they say is the best in the world - not in the newsest trains as they are old rattlers - but in effectiveness to transports millions of people each day around Moscow. We are starting to familiarise ourselves - the long station names can be confusing so we just follow the coloured dots and instructions on how many stops to go through. When the language skills are developed a little more we might follow the letters.

There is much to learn - Ron discovered this week that you do not whistle ! it is thought to bring bad luck. We will be constantly learning and challenged as we grapple with a new culture. We look forward with much anticipation. This week will mostly be in the office studying files and trying to get our head around a very large Territory - 5 countries, 5 languages 5 cultures and probably 5 different ways of doing the same thing!

We've arrived

It is now one week exactly since we landed in the City of Moscow. Having departed Melbourne on the wed evening (the 3rd Sept 2008) we enjoyed a one day stop over in Dubai. This allowed us to rest and recover from the final farewells, to get on to the same time zone and arrive reasonably refreshed. We were met at the airport and taken to our apartment. We will live in this small one bedroom apartment until our more permanent residence is made available in about three months time.

We were introduced to the public transport system when on Saturday we returned to the airport to collect a bag I had left on the plane.

Our first Sunday we went by train to the Army. The Moscow Corps which is also the site for DHQ, Training College and the main social program. A busy place.

Our first week at THQ began with coffee and cake and the official exchange of eppaulettes, but then it has been straight into discovering what our new roles are about. Project work is an essential source of funding for this Territory and so our role in supporting the sources of funding and ensuring the process of implementation and accountability will keep us busy.

So week one comes to an end. We know with a confidence and peace that we are where God wants us to be and look forward with great anticipation what is in store in coming days.