language

One of the difficulties of coming to a new country is learning the language. We have discovered that you can manage to live without the language. Sign language is universal and you can get most things with a point or fingers for counting. Our work is mostly done in English - and occasionally a translator when needing to follow up with a local. When all else fails - google translate works.
Ron has been very studious - and quite academic in his language learning. He sits with his books each evening and so is becoming quite accomplished with the theory of the language. Now he needs the practice. The russians at work often want to learn english - but in recent days have become more committed to teaching us Russian - so we share a little of each others language.
Of course with Russian it has been a whole new alphabet. for example - how many of you when reading the blog title have prounced mockba - as in mock - ba - when what it is pronounced as moscva - the russian word for moscow. m is the same - then the o sound - but a c is an S and a b is a V and the the ah sound. - confused???? It has taken me until now to have the alpahbet click in my brain. There are 5 letters that look the same as ours and are the same - about 8 that look the same but say somthing completely different and then throw in the funny shaped letters that have sounds and there you have it. It is also differnt because you cannot just replace a russian letter with an english letter - they have some english words that have differnt endings and then a whole dictionary of words you cannot guess what they are. One good thing is that they ghave phonetic spelling. But our english rules are replaced with equally difficult rules and then gender endings that change not only the nounds but the verbs and the adjectives. Now I did not take to English language learning - so all these rules for language really !!!!
Having said all that we are learniong slowly and whilst it will be a long time before we can really have a conversation - we are beginning to manage the greetings and counting - so some progress is being made.

So as I sign off tonight - I need to say - dasvedanya ( which if I had a russian keyboard would look nothing like that)

July already

I think we are all suffering - the speed of life is so quickly passing us. Can you believe the year half gone already! And we are now rapidly approaching one year since we left Australia for this 3 year term in Moscow. In fact one year ago we were on holidays in the packing and preparation stages.
Our trip has been amazing so far as we have settled into life here in Moscow. We have had the opportunity to travel into Georgia, Moldova & Ukraine as well as a short trip into Lithuania. The work has been interesting as we have grappled with the world of projects and community development practice.

The challenge of separation from family and friends has been interesting to deal with. And I am not sure who feels it the most - us here or the ones at home. But life goes on and we at least these days have the luxury of skype - for cheap phone calls or free to computers. so we make the most of any opportunity to connect back home. Facebook is one way we hear the latest news in the army world. We hear more from our neices and nephews than ever before through their facebook and this has been an interesting and enjoyable connection. We have recently begun to use the internet to play simple games with our grandsons - and so we do puzzles, sink ships, play dominoes, hangman and tic tac toe - the video camera allows to feel their excitement as we play the games. So we look forward to the little voice on the computer screen - have you got time for a game poppy?

Our work at the moment is about consolidating systems. There is some good work being done but over the years there has been some difficulty with recording and reporting and so we are trying to put some better accountability in place - with more regular reporting back to sponsors. It takes time and we are so dependant on people down the line doing their jobs - so we spend time in mentoring and coaching - hopefully it will reap some benefit down the track.

Officer changes of appointments has opened the way for Ron & I to now be involved in Cadet training which will be new experience for us. The training College here will welcome 10 new cadets shortly and so we feel it a priviledge to be asked to become part of the training experience. Today some long standing ex-pats (American Officers) have left Moscow to take up the role of Regional commander in Georgia, so we will pick up some of their classes later in the year. With the reducing number of overseas personnell serving here we have such a great opportunity to fill different roles - we just need to decide 'which hat' am I wearing today!!!

This weekend we have had a quiet catch up time - limited the shopping and sight seeing - and settled for housework and quiet time at home. Ron recommences his study this week - and so I have to quieten my lifestyle a little as he get s the books out - but 2 units to go and he finishes!!

So until next time - Greetings to you all from not so sunny Moscow!

at home

Indoor plants grow very well and we have manged our plants much better than home in aus.
I never liked to cook in these sorts of pots - always burnt so when I inherited them from an ex pat going home - thought would make better decorations than cookers.
Our window box planters hold tomatoes -well on their way to bearing fruit
Fresh lettuce leaves - straight from our garden boxes each day
I could never grow african violets at home - but they do well here
We are currently cat sitting for our friends on furlough from the flat next door. So Dascha the cat pops in each day for some company.

As we have settled well into our daily routine here in Moscow it is not surprising that life is that - routine. Getting up each day and going to work, coming home cooking tea, some sort of evening activiity(or non activity) and going to bed. Work is a 3 minute walk for us. Today that routine was disturbed a 6 am - firstly by a phone call in Russian followed by loud banging on the front door. It appears somewhere on the floors above us a pipe had burst and so the water drips had flooded parts of our apartment. The toilet floor was under an inch of water, as was some other areas. So after some mopping up the dripping finally stopped and we are yet to determine how extensive the damage and to what level the water has come from.
Living in a communal high rise apartment block is a new experience for us. We have shared the stories of the animals in the foyer - finally they have all been cleared and taken to the dascha for summer. In fact for the first time since we arrived we now have a clear passage to the lift and fire escape. The family above are musicians and the sounds of a range of instruments can be heard throughout the day and night. Not disturbng but interesting. There is a range of nationalities and just ocassionally we are able to have an English conversation. The building has a consierge - around the clock a person sitting in the foyer. Not sure what they do - but I guess in an emergency there is someone to lead the way. It is a secure building with a key pad - so i guess they will let in visitors. They also have the job of opening the car park gate for the 10 or so cars they use the car park. The cars are a variety of aged and recylced cars to the latetest mercedes & Toyata 4 wheel drive. There is even a chaffeaur driven car picking up a resident each day. So it is a variety of people from all walks of life living in this block of units - 15 floors high with 4 apartments on each level.

We have all the comforts we need to live. We even recently bought a DVD player with sound system. A cheap brand but will do the job while we are here. Ron has sucessfully completed 2 more units of study and is about to begin his last semester to complete his Masters in International & Community development. Televsion is only in Russian - but we have learnt to download what we like watching and so can escape with some Australian Tv programs when we need to.

We have discovered that plants grow very well indoors here and have also experimented with garden boxes on our balcony. We currently are enjoying fresh lettuce each day and with the tomatoes in flower we should have some fresh ones to eat soon.

We try and walk in a park each weekend. Last week we went to a large park and enjoyed a packed flask with cake while walking in the rain with some friends. recently we wnt on a picnic just out of Moscow on the banks of Moscow River - where the water was clear and warm and inviting for a swim.

Summer is here and although we are yet to feel oppressive heat we have enjoyed the freedom of no overcoats hat or gloves. It had been a long winter coming from AUS winter to winter here.

Our work continues to be a challenge as we take the opportunity to understand culture and work with the people here.

Projects workshop in Lithuania

How many ways can you say Salvation army
The hall in Klaipedia - situated next to a pizza shop
Spring is sprung everywhere - we enjoyed a luch break walk theough the gardens
The tourist own is situated on a canal leading out to the baltic sea



The bridge in the centre of town is a focal point for weddings. the bridal party come and the bride & groom place a lock on the bridge and throw the key into the water - signifying they are locked together forever

The hall is decorated to signify the local area - cross and pulpit from wood recovered from the beach. A lovely and very practical setup we rent from the Lutheran church.

we found a beach

One thing we have not been able to do since coming to Moscow is visit the ocean. Well finally we made it - on a cold blustery day we stood on the edge of the Baltic sea. We could have been on any beach at home.
The purpose of our visit was to attend a 2 days projects workshop in the town of Klaipedia in Lithuania. But on the final afternoon we had a little time to spare and went for a wander.

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.