some pics from Ukraine visit

During the first week of may Ron & I traveled to Ukraine for a projects visit. we started in Kiev and traveled North then south before ending up at Yalta down on the Black Sea(below). in this photo we managed just and hour off for some sight seeing - we visited a famous castle - now a museum - famous as it is remembered as the place where Churchill Roosevelt and Stalin signed the peace pact that ended the war in Europe. This is the garden area where they sat and a famous picture was taken. Well a not so famous trio sat on this day as we ended a busy week of travel and observation. 7 days - with 4 overnight train trips - it was a challenge but well worth the experience.

The presence of Orthodox Churches remains a part of the landscape. this is a famous cathedral in the centre of Kiev - part of a large monastry.
Everywhere we traveled we found the blossoms coming into full bloom and the tulips in full bud. It was great to see the colours of spring as we traveled. There are many common space areas , public gardens where people gathered all hours of the day and night. Particularly in the cities as people escape the high rise apartments and gather in the parks.
The purpose of our visit was to visit corps and to also look at projects that we have been involved in. we traveled with the Ukranian Project Officer - an american officer serving in the territory who is very fluent in russian and served us well with the translation needs.
We visited schools for physically disabled & deaf children, orphanages for cerebral palsy and downs children & young adults. this young man has developed a skill for beading and displayed some very intricate and decorative work.
We met with dedicated staff working in difficult and often less than adequate surrounds. we looked at places where people have donated equipment and funded a range of development projects.
Feeding is a big part of our work in Eastern europe. here the cooks in Kirovograd prepare for a celebration on victory day when over 100 people were to attend a lunch
This lady is over 90 and proudly displays her medals for Victory day. she worked on the front line as a radio operator during the War. Once they gave her the mike it was difficult to stop her from telling her stories.



Statues are everywhere you travel - big and small Memory statues from the various periods of war are prominant. famous people are remembered usually with statues - the more famous the bigger and more in number. The people are also superstitious - and occasionally you find a part of a statue that is frequently touched as a sign of good luck - in this case it is the big toe - as people pass - they reach up and give it a rub.In the many parks you also find some beautiful water fountains. they are emptied during the winter months as the pipes freeze - but now with spring they flow freely.


Victory Day - may 9 is a big day - a public holiday and the crowds are out. Flags are unfurled.
We visited a number of corps and as many of the buildings are rented we sometimes are limited in what we can do to make it our own.
But in some places where you cannot paint - the use of drapes adds colour and variety to what could be a fairly drab room



Here is a sample of the work done at a school for intellectually disabled kids - working with fairly basic and aged equipment - they still turned out some excellent work

We visited a number of corps and met with the officers. it was good to go out into the coal face and see the work as it is happening. it brings a reality to the paper work we do from our desk in moscow.

visiting ukraine

May 1 was the start of changed roles for Ron & I. We separate our roles and I take on a new position. Ron will take over project and child sponsorship on his own whilst I move into the resource public relations role for the Territory. This is a new challenge at an interesting time in the development of the territory. I began the new role with a two day public relations workshop in Kiev Ukraine and followed this up with a 7 day visit to Ukraine. Ron & I travelled with the Ukraine projects officer in visiting a number of Corps undertaking a variety of projects. This meant a fairly extensive trip across half of the Ukraine. 4 of our 7 nights were spent on overnight trains. Fortunately we had sleepers so with full day programs we were on the move. Ukraine is a country that has the potential to be independent – it has industry, horticulture but unfortunately the political system and corruption hold it back and the people are suffering. The financial crisis is greatly impacting this country and its people. Also because ‘credit’ has been introduced this has added greatly to the financial burden of the people. (unlike Moldova which is more of a cash society). The reduced opportunities for work and the constant threat of no work for those who have it weigh heavily on the minds of the people. Increased prices and reduced income is a daily reality. The army is beginning to establish itself in the communities where it is. In particular Corps some excellent community connections and programs are under way. In Kirovograd we went to the Corps that is connecting in the community in a variety of ways. We visited childrens centres that we partner with and were astounded at the work being done to care for disabled children. In Kharkov we sat with local officers preparing for a new social program and were blessed to see the God focussed and deliberate intentions for this program. In Simferopal we saw the enthusiasm and possibilities of an energetic officer. In Yalta we saw what can be done when an officer is prepared to roll up his sleeves and get busy to get the job done. In Donetsk we met in the home of the officers and walked the streets of this mining town and realised that the uniqueness of this community needs officers prepared to work under difficult community settings. We journeyed with the project Officer and met with the divisional Commander and affirmed that God is at work here with these faithful people. There are many challenges. The need for finance being one of the biggest issues, but still the faithfulness of all to get on with the job was most evident. We returned to Moscow tired but refreshed in the challenges that are before us and hopefully with a better understanding of the cultural needs when working in the place.

some pics from our week in Moldova

We arrived in Moldova on the day after the big riots following the election. The damage to the parliament building was incredible. The students took over the building and in the frenzy that ensued the building was devastated and many people injured.

Whilst in a village we came across the 'Easter Fair' - a country show and the high light was the merry go rounds and the house of horrors - named Luna Park

Spring has sprung and the tulips were everywhere, the blossoms filling the trees

We managed one day off and took a drive into the country side to visit an old historic monastry set in the hillside

If we are looking scared it is because we were out on the cliff in the picture above. About half way up the cliff face.

The low rooms are the bedrooms where the monks used to sleep - carved out of the rock.

the resident monk reminded me of someone from back home - and so he abliged with a picture.

We were there to vist the various projects that are happening. we saw lots of Borsch, beetroot and buck wheat with chicken pieces. Feeding programs are a key program offerred to both children and elderly.

I spent some time in this elderly program and thought I was back in Kardinia for a while.

This kids program was themed road safety and the kids had the opportunity to test their driving skillls with a computer game.

But one of the reasons they come together is to do homework and we saw many dedicated teachers working with the kids to complete their work.

We visited a new hall built in one of the villages - kindly donated by Norway. A great facility - one that any western country would expect. Unfortunately here it is difficult to have the funds to maintain and pay for the elctricity & services to run the building. But there is a corps here doing their best to make it work and looking for creative ways to use what is an excellent facility.

The many complicated laws and processes made the building of this complex a real challenge. An example of this - the law states that there must be 2 toilets for each gender - the result........ take your pick???????

The roads are a particular challenge - it is not unusual to drive down a road and discover a manhole cover has dissapeared - no warning - just watch out!!!!! Or maybe some rocks on top will stop someone from stealing the lid???? It is a brave person who drives in moldova.

This is just a few glimpses from our week in Moldova. It was a great experience to go out and be a part of the army work for a week - released from the desk for a small glimpse of what it is like for the people in this struggling country. We visited programs, we sat with people in their homes, talked with officers and managed a little sight seeing as well. We returned to moscow safely with a better understanding of the many challanges facing our work.

taking a walk around parliament

I remember in 1988 with our children joining with 15,000 other Chrisitians to walk around the new parliament house in Canberra Australia. The building was to be opened by the Queen and so many people took the pilgrimage to join and offer 24 hours of prayer before the opening. we sang songs as we walked in unity and many prayers were offerred. It was a peaceful and memorable expereince.
It was a very different story in Moldova this week when a similar number of people gathered around the Moldovan parliament building. They were not there for prayer, but rather to demonstrate their anger at the results of the election that had just taken place. Using modern technology - facebook, SMS the crowds came quickly and a violent frenzy erupted. The crowd stormed the building - the police retreated and the building was gutted. Furniture and papers thrown out windows, computers stolen, many floors set ablaze. 9 floors of the building decimated.
Two nights after the event I walked with friends around the building to observe the damage. It was interesting to watch the many locals who also came in disbelief and wonder. We looked at the building with the blackened walls, broken windows, vertical blinds hanging from the vacant places. We watched as the riot police packed away their riot gear into a big van. We looked at the piles of broken glass and wrecked furniture and littered paper. The result of the demonstration did little for the cause. Students now have no money to study as the government suspended all payments to pay for the damages. Moldova made the front page of news all around the world. This very poor country, struggling to recover its economy, struggling to finds its identity. An interesting place to find the Salvation Army. The challenges and opportunities are great.

the changing seasons

Before leaving Australia I worked in the drought affected areas. One day I found myself sitting by a river bed - which was drying up because of the lack of water. As I walked along the river I discovered all sorts of interesting things. Old bikes, shopping carts , drink bottles and in one spot I even discovered an old cash tin. Obviously stolen and jimmeyed open and thrown away - only to be revealed when the water line had dropped to its low point. It is an interesting parrallel in Moscow at present as the layers of snow melt away. Months of refuse build up is being unmasked. All the human trash that has been discarded and covered by snow is now reappearing. Drink bottles, papers, general trash. Standing by the bus stop i realised again a big problem in this culture. Smoking. The amount of cigarette butts just thrown on the ground now being unmasked as the snow melts. There are no smoking bans here as we see in Aus. Smokes are really cheap and the majority of people smoke. Smoking is still permitted in resaurants, people smoke in the streets, just everywhere. This has taken some getting used to and you appreciate the regulation we have at home to give us free air.
It is also a reminder of how far behind this country is in valuing the environment. There is no sense of the damage that discarded cigarette bring to the environment. No fear of damage to others, to children who might pick up butts. No worry about the butt washing down drains - we dont have them and we are too far away for them to wash into the sea. Still a long way to go to bring change in this way of life.
Recycling is a non event. I have not a clue where the trash from 15+million people goes. we just put ours in a dumpster at the back of the high rise and a couple of times a week it is emptied.
Life is different in many ways.

We live in a 15 story building - 4 apartments on each floor. Our neighbors took over the passage way for a month to care for their farm animals. 6 rabbits and 12 turkeys. Finally some pressure must have come to them as they cleaned up the mess when the smell began to consume the lifts and could be smelt all the way to the top floor!!! I am sure the animals will be relieved as they can at last see daylight and have room to move - but then we begin to think - maybe they just moved into their flat and have taken over a bedroom?? There are some smells that stay with you - and unfortunatley that one will. But for now they are gone and we can again reach the fire escape. neighbours are interesting. the people below us play at least 4 instruments - must be a musical family or they conduct music lessons. We don't hear much from above.

Communal living Moscow style!

6 month anniversary

Friday just past marked our first 6 months in Moscow. we celebrated with a long weekend! Womans day! quite significant here and the role of women is acknowledge and the most popular way was the giving of flowers. Friday evening I was invited to the Australian Ambassadors residence for supper with women of significance to the embassy. nice food and the ambassador is a nice lady to sit and chat with. Saturday Ron & i investigated a new market area - commonly called 'the black market' it was huge - we walked 3 hours and did not cover it all. We did not spend much - but enjoyed the sights, sounds and smells. The crowd got a bit hard to handle by mid afternoon - so we found an easier back street to the station - and also found the best bargain of the day.
Sunday worship was at Taganka (Moscow Corps) also womans day - a near to 3 hours service. Some good singing, a short drama lots of prayer and testimonies and an interesting message from the word.
Today we caught the metro to investigate a park we have not yet been to. So a couple of hours wandering through the snow, along the river, around churches it was a beautiful place to discover.This will be the place to come back to to check out during the different seasons. The summer with green foliage on the trees and then the spectacle of autumn will be very enjoyable. We also discovered the best toboggin run so far, so when we do get visitors we know just where to take you. The winter snow still falls and the heavy dump last night made the ground pure white again. The slush and ice can be a challenge and so we walk with care. I am appreciating the snow boots left by the departing aussies late last year and a donated winter coat also makes for a warmth when out and about. The long johns are not needed inside but when you venture out on days like today you appreciate them. It has been a new experience learning to manage clothing and footwear for the seasons. And while the experience has been good I know I am a summer person - so enough with the snow - bring on the sun!!!
Through life you encounter people who work hard and may not be given the appreciation they deserve. These people of Moscow are the over 10,000 who have the job of sweeping the snow & ice from the paths. When we wake early in morning you can hear the scrape , scrape as the path is being cleared - many different hours day and night the hard working people are out there. A few have the luxury of tractor - but most is done by hand - the wide bladed shovels scraping and lifting the snow and ice to clear the paths we walk on. They would be amoungst the lowest paid people - but I guess they are glad to at least have a job. At this time, the water freezes over, it is heavy work as they chip away the ice. Some do not have winter boot - just runners and very often no gloves. I walk by rugged up in my snow boots and thick woolly coat - I try and give them a smile and say thank you. But they have their heads down just doing their job. I am glad they are there - doing their job and making it safer for us all.

It is back to work tomorrow after this long weekend break. We continue to build on the work done so far and consolidate the various projects that are happening. I am preparing a newsletter to share the stories of what is happening in the territory and some work is also being done to update the webpage. I am missing the support people of past times when this could be handed over to someone else - but no such luxury here - It is role up the sleeves and do it yourself.
So we end our first 6 months - a bit like the kid after the first week of school wondering why he could not read yet - language takes time - but we are more comfortable with managing to live in this culture. As I have said before - we are eating, shopping, working and worshipping and today we even touristed without the language - so it is all good.

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.