What are you doing here?

This was the most asked question of us this weekend , followed by the next question..........when are you going back to Moscow? We were at the Commissioning weekend and surrounded by friends and associates from the past years where we have journeyed.

So I thought it was time to update you all on what has happened in these recent months.

In the latter part of September I (Lyn) had a couple of disturbed nights, not sleeping and suffering a bit of gastric reflux. So it was of to the Doctor. In Moscow this means the European Medical clinic which is pretty swish and has all the testing facilities at their fingertips. As it is the place all the ex pats go it is also fairly expensive - but they look after you and so I found myself on a table, drip in my arm and then an ultrasound. Diagnosis.... gastritis should settle down with medication said the french doctor. However..............we have found a tumor on your kidney which will need further investigation! So began an interesting couple of weeks.

The CT scan showed a large tumour on my kidney which the surgeon in Moscow was keen to remove asap. We said thanks very much but we think we will go home to Australia for this surgery.

Phone calls to the kids and a couple of days to pull things together in Moscow and we were on our way home to Melbourne. There was a bit of a drama at the airport when we found the travel agent had mistakenly put us on a plane to Mali ( Maldives) - a rebook soon had us on a plane via Bangkok & Brisbane. Arriving in Melbourne we were quickly into a surgeon and within another week I was in the Freemasons hospital having my kidney removed. It has now been 7 weeks since the surgery and I am starting to return to a good level of wellness and fitness. The prognosis is good as far as the surgery is concerned. The cancer was contained within the fatty sac of the kidney and had not advanced to other organs. For now the next steps are to live a healthy life and undertake regular reviews for a number of years.

Ron was able to fly home with me and in the early weeks was my carer & nurse. He has kept up with work in Moscow via lotus notes and skype in the short term.

So what does that mean for us now? The decision we have made is that we will not return to Moscow. Having settled into the medical routine here we believe it to be the right thing that we stay home and in a short while we will take up a new appointment here.

We have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to serve in Moscow and the experience to travel and see the work of the army in the EET has been life changing for us both. We take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of our supporters and encouragers. Your prayers and other support has kept and sustained us through our experience.

As we enter into a new phase of our life it is time to sign off from this blog. It has been an amazing experience. We have so many stories, photos and memories to share and maybe I will get to the point of putting some if this together to share with those who are interested. I am sure there is a a Home League or two left in me????? For now we are trusting God to continue to lead us in our work for Him - wherever it might be.

and his name is......

I thought it was going to be easy.................

Just a quick lesson in how it works.

We needed some printing to be picked up from the printers. Everyone is busy so though I could jump on the metro and go and get the goods. Well here is how it went.

I got a lesson from my co worker on which train to catch - and which end of the carriages to sit so I exited from the station at the right point. Then he said - pick up the piece of paper from finance to take with you.

So down to finance - a form had to be printed - with my passport details, the form was double sided and needed 5 signatures and a stamp. (Including the Chief Secretary signature). The form was not complete - so back to finance. I head out to go to the printer. Short walk to the metro, the ticket is expired, so new ticket. Then it is 2 trains to the place I want to go. There are 4 exits from the station so I check I am heading in the right direction. My phone beeps - it is flat and dead! No chance of help if I cannot accomplish the mission. 5 minute walk which was nearly 10 to arrive at a building that was the right shape according to my map. In through the security guards (x2) and find the place. Into the printer shop which turned out to be a big printer - past the reception to one person then another to get the person managing the job. The paperwork is reprinted and stamped and I am then taken to the basement to pick up the printing. The exit I am now sent on is out the back door which is onto a back lane and around the corner. Eventually I find my way back to the metro to take 2 trains a 6 stops back to work with my little trolley and 2 boxes of printing.

Next time the 300 rubles to have it delivered will be well worth and I will not hesitate !!!!!!!!!!!

The amazing thing here is that the Russians accept this as normal - this is how it is done! Can't just have anyone ?????picking up 2,500 self denial envelopes.

some more bee..utiful pics

On our trip to Ukraine the bees were very active

Mission trip to Ukraine

Ron and I had the opportunity to go to Ukraine to work with a UK mission team visiting the small village of Noviy Posoliok near Kirovograd. A school holiday program was the main activity but there was also opportunity to engage with the elderly and homeless people of the area.

Face painting was a big hit and 2 afternoons were spent decorating kids faces.

The end of the week brought an outing to the fun park and the kids had some rides and an icecream....greatly enjoyed by all!

The morning activity was story and craft and up to 35 kids crammed into the tiny hall

The team brought over 20 timbrels and the kids were introdued to how to play. After 2 lessons there was a not too bad display in the Sunday morning meeting.

Kids enjoyed singing and the language barrier was broken with some carefully selected songs.

The games were taken out on the park area and sometimes onto the small street. Village life......we could do so much more than what is possible in the big city. The kids loved the games and the sports equipment that team brought with them and then donated for future corps activities.

Sunday morning crowd was too big for the hall so we took the meeting out of doors to the common area in front of the hall. A great way to end a big week all together worshipping God

Visitors

Visitors from home - started and finished at Red Square - it was a great couple of weeks.The 2 brothers at red square

We visited parks, gardens and found so many staues - this one at the Novadavichy graveyard - can you guess his occupation?

we have been amazed at the flowershops every where - but this display was impressive.

The month of June saw our first visitors from Aus. It had only taken 22 months for someone to have the cash and desire to visit Moscow. Ron's brother Kingsley and wife Margaret spent 3 great weeks with us. We took 2 weeks of our holiday time to travel around with them. At first we had all these great plans to head off to St Petersburg and maybe to the outside of Moscow to some villages, but the time went so quick. We were flat out discovering all we wanted to see just in Moscow.

There were a few places we had saved up - we would go there when someone came from home. Well we covered most things but there is still more to see. The days went so quickly. Summer had come at last so no need for coats - it was hats and blockout every day.

Parks, gardens, statues, museums, long walks, boat rides, as well as trips to Red Square in day and night kept us busy.

We tried to ban Kingsley from using the words 'unbelievable' but it kept coming. Margaret is a bell collector and I think she may have seen and heard enough to satisfy for some time- the bell in the neighboring cathedral rings hourly all through the night.

Thanks for the company Kingsley & Margaret and for all the little goodies you brought over for us!!!

July some old friends from Glenroy passed through on their way back home and so it was good to have a day with them. Connections to home are important and these days skype and email help to lesson the distance. Thanks to everyone who takes the time in some way to support us during these days - we value your support.

Spring time for the bees. Spent a few days on holidays chasing the bees and here is the result.

Check flikr photo stream on the right for the full pic.

Ron receives his Masters

After 3 years of study, half of which was in Russia Ron has received his Masters in International & Community development.

The trip home for the cap and gown ceremony was not possible. The cost too prohibitive. So the choice made to receive the certificate in the mail. This has been a great achievement for Ron with most marks being distinction or high distinction in the 12 subjects covered. At the same time a dissapointment that he would not experience a graduation ceremony and have that picture for all the work. The good news is that the education experience has been good for him and he is able to put new skills to work in his role here in EET.

The certificate arrived in the mail on a day Ron was not in the office, so it was safely tucked away waiting for an opportune time for the presentation. On Sunday the Territorial Commander in the presence of family who are over on holidays made the presentation . A proud moment for Ron and good milestone for his service.

He receives a rose from the Corps officer at Taganka Corps in Moscow.

Driving in Moscow

When we first arrived in moscow I had not brought an international licence with me. The first year I did not drive. On our trip home last year I picked up an international permit. I have increased my driving opportunities and am feeling more comfortable.

Tonight was my first drive for the feeding program. This is a Wednesday evening Corps activity. Several volunteers take hot soup and bread to 2 parks to give out to the small crowds that gather there. The traffic was bumper to bumper and I drove for 2 hours and covered a total distance of 8KM. The trip between stand one and two took nearly an hour - by the time we got there all the clients had left, the drive had taken us so long to get there. Probably 3 Km in an hour! It is an interesting road we travel to get to the feeding place. Two intersections where multiple lanes narrow as well as tram tracks. One of the intersections the cars spread out into 9 lanes and when the lights turn green they all fee into 2 lanes to turn right and 2 lanes go straight ahead- so as well as these 9 lanes spread across is the possibility of trams from both directions - with the trams cutting through the middle to turn a corner in a small side street. We have banned the word unbelievable! ....but I just have to use it.....unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!! The next big intersection where we park the car has about 6 lanes turning left ( from the right of course) and you follow them around a bit and then circle around a lamp post and drive up the tram tracks!!!!

Now I am driving more regularly and a couple of stop start drives to he airport soon gives plenty of practice. the worst was a Sunday afternoon pickup - where we were sent to the wrong terminal - of course we went to the really busy one to find the people were at the other one with far less traffic. So it wa sroud and round until we found our way to the right place. We had the gps on and it seemed to take us miles out of the way onthe country roads - only to find that the gps was set on walking !

My very first drive was to take the car to pick up the Commissioner with the arrangement that Ron would drive the TC back to the office. He livesin a narrow street and Ron did not like how I parked the car , so he refused to drive and so on my first drive I am driving the Commissioner to the office.

The most lost we have been was when we drove to the Australian embassy which is in a small street and off some big streets, near the river and not to far from the Kremlin. So we discovered that if you miss a turn you end up miles from where you want to be or end up crossing over the river and back before you can find the right way. We drove past the Kremlin twice - with Ron trying to read the map - never a good thing. In the end I said let me follow my nose and we finally made it home, but I had to meander through some very small back lanes to connect - so that was a good practice day!

There is the choice of 4 cars you can switch according to the need and what you are doing and of course you sit on the wrong side, shift gears with the right hand and indicate with he left. it is all screwy, but I have finally learnt to go to the left hand side if I am driving. In the beginning it was a very strange feeling to sit in the right front side and not be the driver.

But for all the traffic, for all the apparent disorder there is also an order. Drivers are impatient but tolerant...quite weird really. So quick to blow their horn, but hey always let one car into the gap. Cars lane hop from one side to the other squeezing through the most unlikely little spots. They drive up the tram track and footpaths. For the smallest crashes you park the car where it happened and wait for the police to come with their measuring stick to aportion blame - no worries how far traffic backs up.

The most intimidating is the policemen - mass numbers on corners everywhere and each with a big baton stick, ready to flag down whoever and try and extract a bribe - come with me to my office( his car) and we can settle this!!!!!!!!! So far I have not faced this but there will be a first some time. I have only once just missed a changing red light - and I still only know it was red because a car U turned in front of me and my passenger pointed out a red light. Fortunaltely no police there that day.

So I guess I will venture out some more when the opportunity presents itself - but still the safest is the metro - so I think mostly it is train travel for me!

May days

can you believe that May is half over? Where did the days go. It seems we had hardly had a holiday to celebrate May day and we are preparing for the end of the month.

Since my last blog life in Moscow has quickly returned to normal, in fact we were surprised how quickly normal returned! After the bombings the trains were very quickly on line, for a short period there were memorials but it seems nothing will stop the need to move 10 million russians every day. We travel the metro most weeks and I cannot say that we have ever felt unsafe doing so. Except lat on Saturday night last week - we went into the city and just happened to be at the station of one of the bomb blast. Just as the train is about to take off a man pushes past in a hurry to get off the train. My heart fluttered a moment, but I realised he must have missed his stop, and he made a mad dash for the doors bumping me on the way. Now the doors in a Moscow train are dangerous. As the train prepares to depart they slam shut and no one wants to be in the way. I once got caught in our early days here. The dilemma - you are half in and out - body mostly out - but you hands and bag are in. What to do? drop the bag and pull your hands out and escape with your life! Or hang on and save your bag? Well on this occasion there was a tough big burley man who attacked the doors and opened them for me and I escaped with just a few bruises, my hand bag and a lesson in watch the doors on the train. The strange thing about the train is that they come every 2 minutes or so - if you miss your stop go to the next station and catch one back - maybe lose 5 minutes - but stay safe.

Spring is here and we have ventured out into parks and enjoyed lots of walks and exploring.

Our work has mostly had us in the office in the recent months. Chasing paper trails, reports to be written, planning to be done. Ron is preparing for a project visit to Moldova. and then in July we both go to Ukraine. Our time in the office is mostly administration relating to our roles. For Ron this is about all the projects of the territory - be it feeding people, after school programs or equipment purchases. There is a process to follow to gain the funds and then to bring accountability to the funds. And so he spends his days chasing lots of details and processing this information. My work is a mixture - a lot of things to do with resources for the Territory, but also some PR aspects. One of the areas I see to is the magazines - I work with the editor to ensure the War Cry and Officer magazine is published on time and in a format relevant to today. That is an interesting challenge as I work across the different cultures of our 5 countries and put my western thinking in the mix. I also have responsibility for the various works of translation - books going to print. I also pick up a mixture of special small projects (odd jobs) and sit on a number of boards that have different levels of responsibility. So no getting bored. The challenge for me is to stay focussed and energised when I am not working with people and at a desk pushing papers for much longer than I would like.

Well enough of the grumbles. We are enjoying the experience and opportunities given to us and time is flying by.

I realise I have not uploaded photos for some time - so I close with a promise to work on this and share some of the nice pics I have manged since buying a new camera when home last year.

Not so ordinary day in Moscow

What a day!!!!!
We arrived at work to hear the news that there had been a bomb blast on the metro line and within a short time news of a second blast. We had walked to work and so were unaware it was happening at that time - but soon the sirens started and continued for several hours. Over 40 people died and many injured.
A Salvation Army response world wide would be to be there with the cuppa and sandwiches - but no so easy here in Moscow. So as we brought staff together, we believed the best strategy would be to purchase water and juice and chocolates and present ourselves at the disater zone. Our gifts were well received but we could not stay. So a small step to introduce what we can do. But there is much work needed to build a relationship that would see us as part of the emergency response.
The news of the disaster travelled quickly as people from around the world contacted to see everyone was ok. No news is good news - and it would seem that no army people have been affected.
We travelled on the metro later in the day and whilst numbers appeared to be way down and the police presence way up - there was little to show what had happened on this day. We boarded at train at the station of one of the bomb sites - a crossover line so we were on the second line. There was a small aroma - sort of smokey smell - you could see people were watchful around them - but life seemed to have returned to normal - and this was within 10 hours of the blast. By the evening, there was little activity outside the metro stations - a couple of TV crews suggested something was going on. Everyone seemed to be getting on with life. No memorial site, no flowers just people going about their business.

Today was also the day for a parcel from home. A recent visitor to Aus brought back a parcel so it was exciting to have it land on the desk. We have just gone through the notes and cards that have been collected along with 3 packages of artwork from our grandsons. We celebrated the tin of milo by cracking it open tonight to have on our icecream( we emptied our last tin a week ago and have been on rations for a while). In the parcel was a new baby laptop purchased in aus on special - so the kids had tested it to see it works and there is a variety of fun photos and videos for us to look at and treasure.

But the day was not over.......this evening we were invited to the Australian Ambassadors house for a private recital for an visiting musician. Ray Chan is 21 year old Australian violinist and is in Moscow to perfom in a concert. The ambassador had invited a small group of friends and associates to this performance and so we we treated to 2 special numbers of virtuoso violin from this brilliant young musician. As we sat and took in the music we were blessed to be there. The skill and passion of his playing on the 1708 Stradivarius amazed us. The aussie pride was strong as this young man greeted us and spent some time walking and talking with the guests.

So now we are finally home, catching up on the news of the day, looking at the news reels and graphic images of what has happened in this city. Glad we are safe .... but thinking of the many families who will be grieving tonight, the emergency workers who faced the disaster front on, the many thousands of people who witnessed scenes that no one would want to see.

Lets see what tomorrow brings.......the snow is melted and the bulbs begin to show there heads ..........spring is coming .........a new day in Moscow!

Half way

This week marks the half way point in our three year term in Eastern Europe. We left Melbourne 18 months ago this next week. The nearly full passport tells the story of interesting travel - it does not take long to fill a book when a Visa fills a page - some of the countries have needed 3 month visas and a stop over in China last year filled a page each way with stamps.
So where have we been - our work has taken us into Romania x1 , Moldova x 5 , Georgia x 1 for me and 2 for Ron, Ukraine x 2 and surprisingly the least traveled is Russia. Our work is predominantly in Moscow and we have journeyed to St Petersburg. Maybe we will correct that a little this year as we plan out our holidays and take in the sights of this vast land. Each of the places we have visited have their own unique attributes that endear you to the place.
Romania is the contrast of the people, Georgia the land - the history and beauty of the country, Ukraine the dilemma of a country with so much potential but struggling through politics and corruption, in Moldova it is the people - the joy and welcome even when surrounded with poverty. Russia still carries the strong influence of the post soviet culture and the challenge of working with a people so entrenched in this way of thinking.
For the Army we see the legacy of decisions made in the past and influences from the west because of a previously strong re-enforcement personnel that brings it own challenges. Local leadership is slowly developing but their is still a way to go before we have 'home grown leaders'

When we arrived in september last year we shared a role as Project Officers and Child sponsorship. After about 3 months that changed and Ron became sole projects officer and I took on a Resource PR role. So there has been interesting challenges as we work through all the aspects of our roles and endevour to bring our life experiences into our work. Hopefully to help and develop the people we work with and for.

This week we farewelled the Territorial Commanders. A Dutch couple have been here for two and a half years and now enter retirement. Their experience and strong leadership have brought some consolidation to the work here and some tough decisions have been made. This week we welcome our new leaders. An American couple come to lead the team here. So it will be interesting to experience this change and what they bring to the Territory.

We have experienced a whole year of seasons and come to the end of our second winter here. Currently it is the coldest winter for 50 years. The snow piles are higher than 8 feet in places. It has been a long and very cold winter right across Europe. The sad stories of the homeless in the extremes of this cold year abound. Stories of men who get drunk on cheap vodka and have their boots stolen and so end up with frost bite and then limb amputation. The stories of homeless dying on the streets because of the extreme conditions. The elderly in moldova who cannot afford to heat their homes because the power bills now exceed their pensions. Our work cannot meet the great needs - but we work with our people to ensure that the resources we have are used in the best way to meet the needs where we can. It will be spring soon and we look foward to the bare trees springing into green - but especially we look forward to the tulips and spring bulbs that are everywhere. The blossom trees abound - Moscow is a beautiful city in spring.

We continue to worship in the Moscow corps of Taganka and the opportunity to play in the orchestra gives service - where language is not a barrier. We have been asked to play at an ANZAC service in the Embassy so that will be interesting.

This past month has also been the new experience of testing the Moscow hospital service with Ron having a problem that required some treatment. An overnight stay after a small op was interesting for him. Fortunately, well covered by insurance but still a challenge to work through the process and language issues. He is recovering well. Medication needs has always been an issue, we could only bring 6 months worth with us - but you can get just about anything from the chemist - just need to know the Russian name. Prices vary greatly - so we shop around to find what we need. Panadol costs 4 rubles ( 20 cents) for a pack of 10. The greatest medication need is Vitamin D - so we just have to wait for the sun to shine to get that one !!!! When will the sun come out gain?????

Time is flying by so quickly - we look forward to some visitors from home this year and remind you if you want to take a stopover in Moscow we have a spare bed and will welcome you to stay awhile.
Until our next catch up
Lyn & Ron

trains, planes and.........snow

It's good to be official again. Our Visa and work permit process has been achieved.The final step involved leaving the country to get a visa to come back in. This week that becomes a multi- entry working Visa, allowing us to move in and out of Russia as we need. It has been a complicated process with rules that seem to change according to who you talk to. But is all good for now.

We travelled to Moldova late in January and spent a few days with the Callanders. Australia day was spent in over a foot of snow in the Russain Embassy. hot dogs for tea with Ian & Viv after a long day of work. No lamb chops or sausages on the barbie - but good at least to spend part of the day with someone from home. The snow falls have been frequent and every where we went the ground is well covered in a blanket of white.

Then it was off to Ukraine. We took the overnight train for 'the experience' - not that you see much overnight - but the 2 border crossings made for an interesting night. We were in a 4 bed coupe and the first border of Transitria - the guard pretended to read Ron's English passport cover to cover , but gave up on mine. The second crossing which is the offcial border the process was much stricter. Our passports were taken and waited on the train wondering what we would do if they did not come back before the train took off. But with a minute to spare our passports were back in hand with the appropriate stamps and we could roll over and try for some sleep before dawn. Our days in Ukraine involved meetings at DHQ and then another 7 hour train trip to visit a Corps. We arrived in the town ofDn..............(big word) affectionaltly known as 'neppo'
This is a large rural city in central /south eastern Ukraine. An industrial city for nuclear, arms and space industries. It was a closed city until the 1990's but now has nearly 2 million people.

There is a new Corps there and the Officers have concentrated their efforts in reaching out to students. There are several Universities in the city. We had a great 2 days connecting with the young people of this Corps - both in teaching and fellowship. Sunday afternoon a dozen of them took us on a 2 hour walk through the snow to show us the scenic sights. We very much enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time in this place. The hospitality of the Officers in sharing what little they had was humbling. we were reminded again how priviledged we are to be Australians and the amazing resources we have that we take so much for granted.

It was back on an overnight train for the trip to Kiev and a flight to Moscow. We have improved our ability to work the passport control lines and Ron is finally developing more of the Russian way when queuing. Elbows out and full steam ahead. No room for being a gentleman there!!!

So here we are back in our apartment amazed to realise this month marks the half way period of our three year term. We praise God for all His provisions and for the opportunities to work in this place.

A new year

Some 2 months has passed since my last blog. All the best intentions to keep up have failed since returning from Australia in November. So here goes a little catch up.

Our work settled back into its routine quickly as we continue in the roles allocated to us. December had the added interest of Carolling as the band had the opportunity to play at several different places. Once again we had the opportunity to play carols to the Australian Embassy as we went to the Ambassadors Christmas party at her residence. Another engagement was to play at the steps of the Lutheran cathedral to the people attending the Messiah concert. And so Christmas came and went so quickly.

Christmas day started quietly at home as we were spent the morning just the 2 of us. The evening meal was shared in the home of the Territorial Commander where main course was a Netherlands Christmas specialty - rabbit. For sweets - a plum pudding brought from home with custard. The Christmas holidays here did not start until January 1 and the break lasts for 11 days. Orthodx Christmas celbrated on Jan 7. So it was a long celebration period.

We stayed put in Moscow for the break this year and took the opportunity for some walks and gallery visits and just a quiet catch up time.

December also had Ron on the road for a 5 day visit to Georgia. Here he spent some days witht he project o & Corps Offciers intraiing and proejct review. He enjoys the travel and sharing opportunities and was a good opportunity for him to see what is happening out on the field.

Following the New Year break I headed off to Romania for a week - again supporting and reviewing project work . Most of my days were spent indoors or travelling so not too much sight seeing and few photos. My one sight seeing tour ocurred at midnight after the plane landed when we took the long way home - just to have a look around Bucharest. Not a lot to see at that hour through the foggy car windows.

Visa paperwork has kept us busy - the process of renewing the various stages & medical tests to be allowed to stay and work in Moscow. Monday sees us in the final step of the renewal that has us leaving the country to apply for a visa to allow us to come back and work for the next year. So it is off to Moldova for a few days and then on to Ukraine where we will do reviews and support visits for the Officers there. It will be good to spend Australia day with Aussies in Moldova.

The coming year will see us consolidate the work of last year and build on the oportunites to develop some good systems and resources for the Territory. Ron has completed his study and now has his Masters in Community development and is keen to share his new learnings. The Territory will welcome new Territorial Commanders in March and so can anticipate some changes and expectations - so we wait and see what that means in our roles.

So if you have stuck with us in following our blog - I will try and get back to the monthly routine and with a promise of some photos to follow - I will sign off . Thasnk you to all our supporters - for your love and prayers and the various ways you connect with us. It helps to bring us all closer together.
Lyn