Christ is Risen! Xpictoc Bockpec!
I hope that each of you have enjoyed a wonderful Easter. Dave and I have had a great day today, even though it was quite "un-traditional" compared to any Easters either of us can remember. Our day started in a very relaxed way. We slept in and took it easy for the morning. Around 10:30 am we headed over to meet a friend of ours who had invited us over for breakfast. We made sure to bring our Russian-English dictionary as we knew communication would probably be challenging. I think that if it weren't for the language barrier I could quickly build a good friendship with his wife--maybe our respect for each other is growing just from observation...? At their apartment we were introduced to a fun Ukrainian Easter tradition. We each took a dyed, hard-boiled egg, and smashed them against each other. Whoever's egg didn't crack was crowned champion. Dave won, twice. After our breakfast of hardboiled eggs, mashed potatoes, beet salad, bread and tea we all met the group from Shelter at a nearby bus stop. From there we walked for about 15 or 20 minutes to a nearby Sauna. On our walk we passed a cow and a goat who were chained to the ground, I think, as live lawn-mowers. We also walked by what appeared to be an unofficial garbage dump. 
Sadly, almost the whole city is an unofficial garbage dump, but this was one of the worst areas we've seen yet.
Anyhow, we had our church service at the Sauna. It started with some prayer and singing. Also one of the leaders read some Scripture and shared a bit. Of course this was all done in Russian, so Dave and I tried to participate in our hearts. Next there were 5 youth who shared their testimonies of how through the ministry at the Shelter they had become Christians. Then they were baptized in the small pool in our meeting room. It was moving for both myself and Dave to see these young people publicly declaring their faith in Christ, and demonstrating their new life in him through baptism. With it being Easter, the symbolism of dying with Christ and rising into a new life, was even more real and on our minds as we watched each of them get baptized. Following the baptisms we all shared in communion together. We remembered Christ's body which was broken for us, and Christ's blood which was shed for us. As unorthodox as having church at a sauna is, I'm sure I will remember this Easter for a very long time.
Following the service, I had my first Ukrainian sauna experience. Dave had already been once before with a group of guys from the Shelter. I think the Saunas here are a lot hotter than the one I went in as a kid at Concordia pool in Winnipeg. Anyhow the tradition is to stay in the sauna as long as you can, and then when you're too hot to stay, get out and jump in a small pool of cold water (where the baptisms had taken place). I did this twice, and it was quite refreshing. Traditionally, I think you're supposed to do it 7 times...maybe another day!
After our Church/Sauna experience was over, we caught a marshutka (small bus/13 passenger van) and rode to our "grandparents" apartment for the Morozov family Easter dinner. We've sort of been "adopted" by the Morozov family for while we are here, and have been invited to participate in family events with them...family dinners, and now special holidays. Before we came to Krivoy Rog, people who knew the Morozov's told us they were the healthiest and most hospitable family in Ukraine. This has definitely been our experience. The whole family works together in ministry here. Even though we understood little of what was said at the table we felt very loved and welcomed and blessed to see a family in action here. The Grandfather sang a song for all of us while his son sang the harmony. Then he played some violin for us also. This reminded both Dave and I of our Grandpa's who also played violin. I was a little surprised when we were told that as guests we were expected to do a number also. For those of you who know me well, you know that I do not like singing in public. Well, I swallowed my pride and God helped us to get through one verse of "In Christ Alone". It made me think of the family gathering we would be missing today in Winnipeg, or at the cabin with the Millers. Of course, this family could never replace our families at home, but it has been nice to know there are people here who are taking us under their wing and looking out for us.
Some other tidbits since I last wrote:
-We've had leads on 3 apartments, but all of them have fallen through before we even got to look at any of them.
-We're becoming a bit more independent...Dave actually did shopping by himself at three different places all in one day! One of these places was the market, which can be quite overwhelming. I'm so proud of him!
-There are 2 girls who have approached me to teach them art. I don't think they normally come to Shelter, but had heard from their mom, who works in the kitchen at Shelter, that I do art, so they came and met me last week.
-Yesterday, Dave had a major dramatic role in a skit for the kids at Children's Shelter. He was an angel! Wings, halo, and all!
-On Tuesdays and Thursdays I will be doing some English tutoring for one of the girls who comes regularly to Shelter. These are the same days that I hope to be doing some art classes also.
-Dave is still working with the orphan kids on Saturdays, teaching them some music lessons and helping them learn to play together. He also continues to work with studio construction plans, bands, and is teaching some guitar lessons at the Shelter.
-Next Sunday we've been invited to go out to a small village church. Apparently Dave will get to share for about 5 minutes (with translation) and we will be expected to sing. I think that Lesya and Petrovich (her dad) will sing with us.
-Most nights we fall asleep to the sound of cats fighting...there are
strays everywhere! However, they seem to fight only at night, and to get along very well with all the stray dogs.
-Most mornings we wake up to the sound of beer bottles clanging in people's bags. Poor people collect the bottles that haven't been broken and bring them to the basement of our building where they get some money for the bottles.
- Many signs of Spring are coming up all around us. There are beautiful white blossoms on many of the trees--apricots I think, and other trees are going to grow chestnuts!
-This past week I helped out at Shelter in the afternoons serving food, clearing tables, and peeling potatoes for a group who was using the building for a seminar put on by two ladies from North America. It was a group of social workers who work with Foster Parents in the city. I peeled so many potatoes my arm actually got cramped!
-We have to be very alert when we are walking, especially at night. About 50% of the man-hole covers I've seen are missing and are replaced with pieces of wood, broken doors, branches, or nothing. Often, the man-hole covers that are there are large cement ones, that are a big tripping hazard, as they stick up an extra few inches above the ground. Besides this potential hazard there is also the broken glass everywhere, and the potholes.
-There don't seem to be fire hazard
laws/concerns here. People seem to light just about everything on fire...garbage, dead branches, leaves etc...If the garbage piles get too big, someone just lights it on fire. In the park near our apartment there is often a fire burning. Usually there doesn't seem to be anyone watching the fire. Somehow, though I have never seen a fire engine or a child playing with the fire. After some thought about this, Dave and I have come to the conclusion that nothing could catch on fire very easily, as everything is made out of concrete.
Well, I hope you've found this interesting! Let us know if you have any questions!
Bethany
Sadly, almost the whole city is an unofficial garbage dump, but this was one of the worst areas we've seen yet.Anyhow, we had our church service at the Sauna. It started with some prayer and singing. Also one of the leaders read some Scripture and shared a bit. Of course this was all done in Russian, so Dave and I tried to participate in our hearts. Next there were 5 youth who shared their testimonies of how through the ministry at the Shelter they had become Christians. Then they were baptized in the small pool in our meeting room. It was moving for both myself and Dave to see these young people publicly declaring their faith in Christ, and demonstrating their new life in him through baptism. With it being Easter, the symbolism of dying with Christ and rising into a new life, was even more real and on our minds as we watched each of them get baptized. Following the baptisms we all shared in communion together. We remembered Christ's body which was broken for us, and Christ's blood which was shed for us. As unorthodox as having church at a sauna is, I'm sure I will remember this Easter for a very long time.
Following the service, I had my first Ukrainian sauna experience. Dave had already been once before with a group of guys from the Shelter. I think the Saunas here are a lot hotter than the one I went in as a kid at Concordia pool in Winnipeg. Anyhow the tradition is to stay in the sauna as long as you can, and then when you're too hot to stay, get out and jump in a small pool of cold water (where the baptisms had taken place). I did this twice, and it was quite refreshing. Traditionally, I think you're supposed to do it 7 times...maybe another day!
After our Church/Sauna experience was over, we caught a marshutka (small bus/13 passenger van) and rode to our "grandparents" apartment for the Morozov family Easter dinner. We've sort of been "adopted" by the Morozov family for while we are here, and have been invited to participate in family events with them...family dinners, and now special holidays. Before we came to Krivoy Rog, people who knew the Morozov's told us they were the healthiest and most hospitable family in Ukraine. This has definitely been our experience. The whole family works together in ministry here. Even though we understood little of what was said at the table we felt very loved and welcomed and blessed to see a family in action here. The Grandfather sang a song for all of us while his son sang the harmony. Then he played some violin for us also. This reminded both Dave and I of our Grandpa's who also played violin. I was a little surprised when we were told that as guests we were expected to do a number also. For those of you who know me well, you know that I do not like singing in public. Well, I swallowed my pride and God helped us to get through one verse of "In Christ Alone". It made me think of the family gathering we would be missing today in Winnipeg, or at the cabin with the Millers. Of course, this family could never replace our families at home, but it has been nice to know there are people here who are taking us under their wing and looking out for us.
Some other tidbits since I last wrote:
-We've had leads on 3 apartments, but all of them have fallen through before we even got to look at any of them.
-We're becoming a bit more independent...Dave actually did shopping by himself at three different places all in one day! One of these places was the market, which can be quite overwhelming. I'm so proud of him!
-There are 2 girls who have approached me to teach them art. I don't think they normally come to Shelter, but had heard from their mom, who works in the kitchen at Shelter, that I do art, so they came and met me last week.
-Yesterday, Dave had a major dramatic role in a skit for the kids at Children's Shelter. He was an angel! Wings, halo, and all!
-On Tuesdays and Thursdays I will be doing some English tutoring for one of the girls who comes regularly to Shelter. These are the same days that I hope to be doing some art classes also.
-Dave is still working with the orphan kids on Saturdays, teaching them some music lessons and helping them learn to play together. He also continues to work with studio construction plans, bands, and is teaching some guitar lessons at the Shelter.-Next Sunday we've been invited to go out to a small village church. Apparently Dave will get to share for about 5 minutes (with translation) and we will be expected to sing. I think that Lesya and Petrovich (her dad) will sing with us.
-Most nights we fall asleep to the sound of cats fighting...there are
strays everywhere! However, they seem to fight only at night, and to get along very well with all the stray dogs.-Most mornings we wake up to the sound of beer bottles clanging in people's bags. Poor people collect the bottles that haven't been broken and bring them to the basement of our building where they get some money for the bottles.
- Many signs of Spring are coming up all around us. There are beautiful white blossoms on many of the trees--apricots I think, and other trees are going to grow chestnuts!
-This past week I helped out at Shelter in the afternoons serving food, clearing tables, and peeling potatoes for a group who was using the building for a seminar put on by two ladies from North America. It was a group of social workers who work with Foster Parents in the city. I peeled so many potatoes my arm actually got cramped!
-We have to be very alert when we are walking, especially at night. About 50% of the man-hole covers I've seen are missing and are replaced with pieces of wood, broken doors, branches, or nothing. Often, the man-hole covers that are there are large cement ones, that are a big tripping hazard, as they stick up an extra few inches above the ground. Besides this potential hazard there is also the broken glass everywhere, and the potholes.
-There don't seem to be fire hazard
laws/concerns here. People seem to light just about everything on fire...garbage, dead branches, leaves etc...If the garbage piles get too big, someone just lights it on fire. In the park near our apartment there is often a fire burning. Usually there doesn't seem to be anyone watching the fire. Somehow, though I have never seen a fire engine or a child playing with the fire. After some thought about this, Dave and I have come to the conclusion that nothing could catch on fire very easily, as everything is made out of concrete.Well, I hope you've found this interesting! Let us know if you have any questions!
Bethany
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