how long does transition last

Before heading over here to Moscow I was sent on a 2 week training course called Transition training. We learnt a lot of theory about transitioning into a new culture - some of it practical, some if it seemingly irrelevant. Having been here now for 24 weeks and 3 days I am still wondering does transition end - or is this just another stage. I begin to think I am adjusting and managing my work and living in a comfortable way and then wham - suddenly I face an experience and I wonder what on earth am I doing here - why am I not back in Australia - comfortable in an appointment and near my rapdily growing grandchildren and where I can support and love my kids through their their life journey.

So in this note I want to reflect a little on what it has meant to come and live and work here in Moscow.

Our flight and arrival here came without a hitch - well almost - we did get lost in Dubai on a very hot day without hats and in Rammadan ( no shops open) - but we survived and learnt some quick lessons about being prepared. A friend had warned us about rammadan - but we had not checked the dates - so lesson one - be prepared , do your research.

We settled quicky into the way of life and work here. Our first apartment was very small and so for Ron & I coming from aus - from a lifestyle of a large 4 bedroom house , 2 cars, separate jobs into a tiny living space, sharing our office and sharing the same job and public transport our world was turned upside down and back to front. We found we were doing everything together. We travelled everywhere, Ron even went shopping with me. Ron took over managing finances - no sense 2 people worrying about keeping the wallet secure from pick pockets, and after losing my bag once and having to replace all cards - I was not carrying a hand bag around. (Well I rarely did in aus either - so maybe that was the problem) Learning to work together again in this new role came with adjustments and years of experience in trying to understand each other. After 3 months we were able to move to a larger apartment which gives us more space. Lesson number 2 - we still love each other and can work together.

Understanding the language is important but you manage surprisingly well even though there is not a lot of English speaking people in Russia. You begin to pick up the words that help to survive - like how much is that, where is, excuse me, thank you and the daily greetings. When shopping you can read the cash register and so manage the currency. The numers look the same as ours even if the alphabet is is so different. It took a bit to get used to the high numbers when spending roubles - a takeaway meal costing hundreds? Coffee & cake at Gloria Jeans 550 roubles? But you do your math and roughly work it out - even with dollar value going up and down so much - in the end you have a set amount of rouble to live on for the month and we have not been without so far. In the work environment there were enough English speaking people and the Russians are happy to practice English. So it would be possible to work out our time and not learn the language. Lesson 3 - it takes practice and comittment to learn a language.

We have travelled into several countries as part of our role here. After 3 months we left Russia to renew our visa in Moldova. In the new year we went into Georgia and then Ron visited Romania for 1 week in February. Each of these countries whilst all part of the former Soviet Union and therefore have cultural similarities and issues from that period - each is also very unique. From the rural village life to the historically significant and beautiful countryside we have been amazed at the opportunity we have to observe and work in this part of the world. The challenges are great and many of the issues are not fixed just by putting dollars together in a project. For each of these places that the army now work have many challenges as we endevour to make a difference in communities and spread the gospel.. Being Jesus and a light in a culture that has been influenced through religious orthodox and political regimes is not easy. Finacial constraints in a environment that is difficult to gain local support and an increasing awareness of donor fatigue toward Europe means that the corps live on an annual budget that would equal a one month budget in aus. I have come from a western culture and financial Territory having worked in areas where there was freedom to work in a generous budget. Here there are corps that measure how much water is used to flush a toilet so they can afford the water rates. ( That is if the corps has a flushing toilet?) Lesson number 4 - leave behind my western thinking and learn what it is that shapes and makes these people who they are. What is right for me in aus may not be here. What is important for me in aus may not be here.

I like to fix things that I think are broken - I am a practical person. I like to role up my sleeves and get involved. My job here primarily has me at a desk with excel spreadsheets and filing and I connect with workers by internet and ocassioanlly by skype phone. There has been some meetings with key workers as we travelled - but these months have mostly been spent in an office at a desk. I sit on a number of committees and hopefully contribute in some way through this. This has at times been very frustrating. But I am reassured that the work we do is important, and bringing some order and experience to projects here in the Territory. Lesson number 5 - I am here to support them in their journey, I am not here to fix it!

So I am sure the lessons will continue as we work through the varied transitions and immerse ourselves into this culture. We came with a willinglness to serve God in whatever capcity He has for us. May He continue to give us the strength and wisdom to be the peopleHe wants us to be.
Lyn

birthdays from a distance

Our first grandchild turned 5 today and we had to settle for a phone call via video skype and joined with the family through technology. The wonders of internet banking allow for pressies the 'modern way' rather than trusting russian post.
He is a mad keen 'fire man' - and so his cake today was of 'Elvis' the fire fighting helicopter - check out the pic as the chopper lands and fills the tanks from the lake in the corner - ready for takoff - there is a big job to be done in victoria this week.

Yesterday my baby brother turned 52 and again a phone call was all we could manage - wait a minute - that's all he normally gets from me - but then again, this one was from Russia.

It is the special celebrations that cause you to miss home just a bit more - and with a big family there will be a few more of them before we come home. It is nice to know that we can at least say - we will be home this year - albeit for a few weeks as we return for Amey & Putts wedding scheduled for october.

We are blessed with technology and have a good internet connection and so this helps in staying in touch with our friends and family. It must have been tough on early day missionaries, travelling months on a ship and waiting for snail mail - if and when it came. We also at least draw a salary that alows us to live in relative comfort and in a more than comfortable furnished apartment a short walk from work. So there is nothing to complain about.

And whilst we acknowledge that we are are a long way away - the invitation stands if you want to come over - up or which ever way it is we are looking forward to who will be our first visitor. We have a spare bed but have not yet had to roll it out for anyone.
Please stay in touch - it helps us survive these days apart and for us then to do the job we came here to do.
Lyn

Our hearts go out to home

I am writing this from Moscow, one week after devastating bushfires have decimated parts of Victoria. These fires that have left over 1,800 people homeless, many people sustaining serious burns to their body as they fled the fires and the final death toll not yet known.( could be up to 300 dead) Victoria is the home of my birth and for all bar 6 years - where I have lived. Over 25 years of my Officer service have been in Victoria and over half of these years in the country. So it is a place I know well. My last appointment before coming to Moscow was to work as a drought officer in Northern Victoria - working in the very same areas most affected by these fires. In fact it is possible I have spoken to some of these people now facing the loss of their homes, their livlihoods with lost animals and feed - their farms destroyed. So in this area of Australia in its 10+ years of drought and now the worst fire in Australia's history one can only get a small sense of the devastation that these people now feel. For some who escaped with their lives left wondering why and how it all happened.

And so from this distance we watch the internet daily, we listen to live streaming of radio and we hear some of the stories from our friends in Aus that have been called on to work in the recovery centres.

Our hearts go out to home - we answer the many questions that are being asked about Australia as the Moscow news covers the story and the local people enquire. From this distance there is not much we can do. But we offer our prayers , believing in a God who is in control even when the world appears to have gone mad. We offer our prayers and best wishes to those who suffer and face a difficult recovery. We offer our prayers for those working in support roles. The police, the fire brigade, the medical people, the support people in disaster recovery centres, to family and friends - so many people affected in so many ways.

To our Salvation Army friends who are bearing extra burden and responsibility in these days we want to encourage you to stay safe, accept all the support you need to get the job done and may God give you the energy to keep at it for as long as is needed.
Blessings
Lyn

some pics from our trip to beautiful Georgia

We start with the local cuisine - hotchapori - a meat dumpling that you pick up and the skilled person manages to suck the juice out before devouring the delicacy without it draining down your arms or leaking on the table.
Tbilisi is a beautiful city on a river surrounded by hills on both sides. It is a very historic city and the contrasts left you in awe and looking for more.
At times you could have been walking any city of the world and then you make interesting discoveries. The history in this place would take you a lifetime to discover.



Entry way to this ancient monastry on top of a hill in central Tbilisi. The history is amazing.

The architecture a mix of the cosmpolitan influences and in particular the turkish.

We visited 3 Corps and spent some time at each place trying to understand the difference coming from our western and influention army background to this very poor european culture.
Worship is part of each after school program and some good musicians have devloped. Here the Samgori kids practice for Sunday worship
After school program - lunch a plate of buckwheat, corn bread and biscuits and of course chai. We did eat with the kids - the pic was taken early. I could not come at the buck wheat though - But Ron put away his bowl full.
Rustavi hall a good worship centre - but very cold. The second building carrying water damage and needing reparations.
Samgori is the ground floor glass fronted building - good location on a main street.
Note the ancient seating and the cold marble foor.

The Corps buildings were purchased with limited funds and the upgrade money is yet to be found. The three Corps we visited had properties that present exciting possibilities for program, but were in urgent need of renovation, repair or upgrade. We were blessed to see an enthusiastic army, working with limited budgets, in communities that desperately need Jesus. The challenge for us remains to shift our 'western' mindset and engage in their culture and discover how best we can help them in their journey of devlopment and discovery.