a quick trip to Georgia

We returned to work after the long Christmas break to prepare for a few days in Georgia. The current project workers finish their 3 year assignment and were handing over to their replacement. We took the opportunity to visit to engage in some debriefing and training for the new worker. This was our first visit to this country. I must say I fell in love with Tbilisi.
The geography, the histroy and the people. It was an amazing place to visit.
The city of Tbilisi is set on a river with hills each side. It is a very old city and the european aged buildings with a Turkish influence was intriguing. The history and stories that this place has to offer would keep you busy for a long time. The river is a mix of steep rock cliffs to meandering streams and patches of white water rockeries. I could put my boat in and experience a variety of paddling in a day. The people were most noticeable different to Russian people . They are more open and friendly and joyful, and we very much enjoyed the hospitality experienced during our visit.
We were able to visit expressions of the army in 3 Corps during our stay. Rustavi is a Corps within 30 minutes of Tbilisi and this is a rural town - although not large in physical size it is densely populated due to the high rise flats. As you drive towards this town the high rise buildings pop up in the landscape signalling this township. The intense population a legacy of the soviet era and built to house the people for industry. The industry has gone but the population remains. So in the small region over 100 nationalities reside with very high unemployment and the many issues that arise out of this. The Corps were engaged in a holiday program for village kids and so we were able to see how they work with limited resources. A good set of buildings give opportunity for a diverse program and the young officers here have an exciting opportunity for serving their community in different ways. The following day we were at Samgori, a Corps in the outer suburb of Tiblisi. The hall is on the main road and in desperate need of upgrading. It was great to see the work being done here with all age groups. Again the children were in a holiday program and so we observed the officers in action as they engaged with kids and the small singing group proacticing for the sunday meeting.
On Sunday we were able to attend the Central Corps where there was a meeting involving the young people and supported by a good size congregation of all ages. The piano players were 3 young girls that had come through the weekly kids program and have developed as excellent musicians. The cup of 'chai' followed the meeting and we then spent some time with the officer - hearing of his work and ministry. Finances was one of the big topics as the recently approved budget changes were bringing an impact. A look at an annual operating budget showed some figures that I found quite shcoking. The annual budget for a Corps in Georgia would be less than a one month budget in a Corps in Australia. Such is the situation here in EET as the annual operating costs are still heavily subsidised. The ability for The salvation Army to raise funds as we know in AUS are not possible here. Taxes and legal complications mixed with all complex issues of a post soviet era and the impact this has on people attitudes makes EET an interesting place to live and work.

If there is one area I would like to make a difference in our Army here it is in the sanitation. Our trip last year to Moldova last year was an eye opener. Some of our Corps did not even have a WC or it was a hole in the ground down the back lane. The standard of cleanliness where there was a toilet was staggering - should I say lack of standard. It was no different in Georgia where there is different priorities. Two of the places we visited had newly fitted WC - modern by all standards. But they could not afford the water to flush. So water was either held in the bath or large tub so that it could be carefully measured out for a flush when someone considered it necessary. Also due to the poor sewrage the paper is never flushed. It is placed often in open bins in the cubicle. So it does not matter where you go - it is always hold your nose and prepare for the smell. We need 'Kenny' out here - I am not yet sure how best to address the problem - but it is one I want to work on.

Our visit to Georgia was mostly work, a little sight seeing and some enjoyable hospitality in the home of a lovely Georgian family. But it quickly came to an end. This is one place I will be happy to return to. The return to Moscow was interesting as we changed planes in Kiev - out in the open while snow flakes fell. Safely back in our beds in Moscow at 2am.

Languge learning is coming slowly. Ron is more intent and is concentrating and practicing. He is conscientiously practicing every day. I still think it is too hard to acheive and have committed to learning a conversational level. My grandchildren are keeping me up with the learning as they anxiously ask on skype when we talk for a new word and they do their revision of words learnt so far. But we are managing to live, work and worship without Russian language so far. There have been a some times when difficulties present but we have worked our way through the situation.
And so we complete 5 months of our appointment - nearly half of the first year is gone. Much more...much more has God in store.........a line from a song but for me a question as I look forward in anticipation of what might be in store for these coming days and months as we continually discover what is possible and what it is we are to be doing in our work here.
Love to all at home
Lyn

Visit to St Petersburg

The holiday period in Moscow is from Jan 1 until after Russain Christmas and THQ closes. We had a few days to spare so decided to join our American neighbours on a train ride to St Petersburg. We packed the picnic set and headed off on the 9 hour train journey through snow covered feilds. We were warm in the train and relaxed as we enjoyed the very different scenerey.


Our first night in St Pete it snowed and so that set the scene for our 6 day stay.
We walked our way around the central city area taking in the beauty of this very old city. Some days we were out for the whole day walking and sight seeing.
There were so many choices - museums, Cathedrals, markets, and just places to go and look. Map in hand and a picnic on our backs we found our way around taking it all in.
The Neva river is frozen over - but due to the need to keep it flowing the icebreaker makes it way down each day - causing an interesting chopped up effect. St pete is built on a river delta and canals separate the city into a number of islands With building and roadways built to the edges. We had great fun meandering our way around and discovering the sights, sounds and smells of a new city. We were able to walk out on the frozen river to where some people had built some ice sculptures - or is that a frozen stone henge?

Moscow has St Basils cathedral and St pete has Christ our saviour and we are not yet sure which we like best. But we took plenty of photos until we make up our mind.





















One of outings was to go to the 'Hermitage' also known as 'The winter palace' which is a famous museum housing some of the worlds most famous art collections and also some amazing architecture. As it was holiday time we stood in a Russian queue - 2.5 hours to get in the door and a further 30 minute in the coat rack queue. Finally we got in and then 3 hours later it was time to close. But we did get to see a bit of it. It is an amazing feeling standing in a place - on the other side of the world - looking at things we had only heard or read about. We felt priviledged to be able to stand in front of the Rembrandt painting of the Prodigal Son and also to see so many other expression of art both in paint and sculpture and also in the porcelain and architecture. It was a place you needed to go back to - over and over. And as we have our Russian work permit we saw all for only $5 - no more tourist prices for us- our 12 month working visa came through the day before Christmas!

Well as with all good things they come to an end. It was time to return to Moscow. Our return trip not so exciting as we enjoyed the Russian third class train travel - or was it 4 th class.





A large sign over the river reminded us of the time of the year - and so we greet you all with this message ........HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Carrolling in Moscow

We had a busy Christmas time as we took the opportunity to join the Moscow Orotorio to sing 'The Messiah'. There was also an extra concert to sing some modern carols written by a third generation famous composer by the name of Gorsky. There were 2 concerts in these amazing venues. It was a very interesting experience. In one of the concerts the father & son Gorsky's performed - that was a very memorable musical treat night when some of the best students from the Moscow conservatory of music also performed. Then our 100+ choir sang the jazzed up carols written by Gorsky Jnr.
This photo shows Ron & I with the Australian Ambassador to Russia who also sang Soprano in the choir.


We have a good sounding band at the Corps at present - the only staff band I will get to play in - staff because everyone works on HQ and is an officer! 2 captains and 4 Majors - 1 russain, 1 Moldovan, 3 Americans and 2 Aussies.


We managed a number of carollong opportunities. The final one was to play at the Ambassadors residence for her staff Christmas party. Margaret enjoyed the music and took the opportunity to conduct us for a carol or two. We enjoyed the opportunity to share carols with these people from Russia , Australia and around the world. We also enjoyed the food!!!
The snow continues to fall and we enjoyed a quiet day at home and prepared for the second Christmas that would come on Jan 7th when Russians celebrate their christmas.