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Belarus Diary 2005
UK Time: Sunday 14th August 2005 9:22 am
Belarus Time: Sunday 14th August 2005 11:22 am
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The first group got off on time at 3.00am Saturday 13th August. Dominic Aspinall travelled with them to the airport. They arrived safely in Warsaw but unfortunately one bag has gone missing (!) between Manchester and Warsaw.
Paul Weepman and Oleg rang from Borisov to say they were setting off for Minsk airport to collect the first group at 3.45pm (1.45pm) our time.
Despite a damp start the second group got off safely only to return 10 minutes later - they had forgotten the American Dollars! Neil was trying to be optimistic about the weather and was wearing his sun hat (see photo).Weather reports from Belarus are 'changeable'!
If anyone does need to contact one of the party urgently out in Belarus please contact Wendy Dixon
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UK Time: Monday 15th August 2005 12:17 pm
Belarus Time: Monday 15th August 2005 14:17 pm
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Monday lunch time.
Hi Folks, this is our Sunday bulletin
Sunday started with both of the teams meeting up for the first time at breakfast.
Our first outing together was to go to the Baptist church to join with them in worship. There was a great sense of Gods pressence in the service and we felt at home as soon as we walked through the door. The service started with two songs in Belarussian, we joined in singing the words in English, worship in two languages at the same time shows how universal worship is. The rest of the service went well with contributions from both the baptist congregation and the St Johns contingent. During this time Ian discovered that there are 8 Gideons in the Baptist fellowship.
Following a meeting with the Pastor, the afternoon was spent split in two. Neil, Dave and Paul went to meet the headmistress of the shelter to discuss what if any work we could do. The remainder of the party went to a Christian Concert (Rock). Gideon testaments weere being given out at this concert.
Upon joining together for Diner, it was discoverd that we can now do some work in the hostel (decorating and gardening), therefore the agenda has changed again, back to what we all thought we were coming out for in the first place (thanks be to God)
After dinner the rest of the evening was spent sorting out all the items we had brought with us. It was overwhelming to see the amount of gifts and other itmes that had arrived, especially when we considered was only half.
A note to Wendy, please ensure that extra batteries are brought out for the camera, and also could everyone bring a couple of extra carrier bags (empty)
Yours in Christ
The Belarus Party
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UK Time: Thursday 18th August 2005 12:20 pm
Belarus Time: Thursday 18th August 2005 14:20 pm
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Monday's Bulletin
10 o'clock Neil Mark and Duncan and Paul went to mayor's office for 45 minutes. He talked to us about his responsibilities in ther city and asked us about our plans for the trip.
We gave him a certificate of our visit and a bottle of whisky and he gave us some books about Borisov.
11 o'clock. We all arrived at the shelter for the first time, turned the corner and were met with a reception party- all the children were lined up, two girls in national costume, 12 workers and a newly baked cake.
Neil had to eat cake and salt as part of a Belarussian custom while a violin was played by one of the girls.
We all went inside for tea served from samovars and drunk without milk and big pieces of the cake. This was followed by speeches singing and us handing over presents; sports equipment, soft toys, craft materials and board games. All this was done in front of National TV.
Afterwards we played games and joined in with the Hokey Kokey.
With love from
The Belarussian wanderers
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UK Time: Thursday 18th August 2005 12:32 pm
Belarus Time: Thursday 18th August 2005 14:32 pm
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Tuesday's Bulletin
In the morning half of the team visited the baby hospital.
The building and facilities were in a very good condition.
It was also noted that the level of love and caring for the children was of an exceeding high level.
The children were pleased to see us even though we were strangers and it wasn't long before they were being picked up and cuddled. At our team meeting that evening some of our members were unable to talk about these experiences because they were so moving.
The other half of the team continued work at the shelter. It is very difficult to buy any paint and decorating materials.
We have started work on two out door play shelters and plan to move indoors as soon as we have the materials and have gained in confidence of the staff of the shelter.
PS for Monday
After tea, mopst of the team visited the local football stadium to watch a league match. It was of a high standard, Borisov were in the knock-out stage of the Champions League.
The Belarussian wanderers |
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UK Time: Friday 19th August 2005 12:10 pm
Belarus Time: Friday 19th August 2005 14:10 pm
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UK Time: Friday 19th August 2005 12:19 pm
Belarus Time: Friday 19th August 2005 14:19 pm
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UK Time: Friday 19th August 2005 12:27 pm
Belarus Time: Friday 19th August 2005 14:27 pm
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PS to Tuesday's Bulletin
Forgot to tell you about the Khatyn memorial.
The site is a very solemn area which has been established where the Nazi forces surrounded a village put everyone into a barn and then set fire to it. This is a representative site as this same thing happened to 186 villages in the area.
About one quarter of the population of Belarus was so eliminated during WW 11.
Wednesday's Bulletin
Work at the centre is really picking up speed now with the wallpaper stripped off one of the rooms and the two out-door shelters looking much brighter already. Still some issues with material availability but we are becoming much more confident that
"God will find the way where there seems no way."
While work presses on at the shelter, the rest of us took the children with some of the carers to Minsk.
This is a beautiful city and I am sure that if the issue of visas was eliminated, Minsk would become another Prague or Budapest. I think it is as beautiful as Paris from the limited amount we were able to see in the time.
We visited the Orthodox Cathedral and then to a market where we bought gifts.
The highlight for the children as well as the adults had to be the visit to the park where there was a funfair.
To hear the screams of joy from the older children as they were on the chair-o-planes was MAGIC!! We felt sorry for the poor guy who was trying his best to keep tabs on who was going on the electrically powered cars, motor-bikes, jeeps, etc. But in the end I think he was enjoying it as much as we were.
All of the children were so well behaved and there was no argument about who could go on which rides.
Thursday's Bulletin
We visited the Fire Station and then went on to the orphanage in Borisov this afternoon. The director there is obviously doing a lot of good work here. You could tell by her body language and passion in her voice that the children were the most important part of the equation.
Work is currently underway in the re-refurbishment of the building which was only taken over only three years ago.
In the evening we were taken by surprise as we went to the Baptist Church for what we expected to be a service and a full supper was laid out for us to share with the fellowship.
After supper, we sang hymns and gave thanks for the bridges which are being built between the two church fellowships.
Friday's Bulletin
This morning our children's team took the children to the place where the Belarussian's turned back Napoleon.After a brief bit of history, we spent the rest of the morning playing games.
This afternoon some of the girls are returning to the hostel for a HOT shower.....a rare event!
Neil is going to the Pastor's house for the evening meal......we all have our crosses to bear!!
Today, we have rented two computers and Mark is down-loading some of the photographs we have taken, which hopefully will be added via the e mail facility
God Bless
The Belarussian wanderers |
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UK Time: Monday 22nd August 2005 12:14 pm
Belarus Time: Monday 22nd August 2005 14:14 pm
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Hi folks this is our saturday bulletin
18.30 arrived at the hotel after a very interesting and slightly eventful journey.
3am seems such a long time ago when 16 eager travellers were assembled outside St Johns not really knowing what the next 8 days would hold.
The group landed in Minsk on time and the first thing we saw coming through customs was Neils straw hat waving above an 8 foot barrier.
The coach (which had been laid on by the fire department along with a very nice driver), was certainly interesting, seat belts were an option along with suspension. It is probably not the best idea to wonder how all the diesel fumes make their way into the cabin. The coolant dropping out when we stop is reassuring however, it proves that there is still some left.
Three of the party's suitcases did not arrive with the flight and we can only hope and pray that they turn up in the next couple of days.
The evening was spent enjoying a social get-together with the group from week 1, finding out how far they had got with the various projects, and how the children had been affected by the group.
The most amazing aspect was how the group had been blessed by the kids.
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UK Time: Monday 22nd August 2005 17:06 pm
Belarus Time: Monday 22nd August 2005 19:06 pm
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Hi folks this is our Sunday bulletin
The morning began with breakfast, the menu had been changed by the people in the first group to accommodate our delicate english pallet. Out went salad and sauces, in came omelette or ham and eggs.
This was followed by a stroll to the local Baptist church for the morning service.
Simon was leading part of the service which would not normally be a problem, however his clothes were still in Poland. Neil lent him a shirt and dog collar, Duncan lent him some trousers. Simon was heard to say in his sleep that he could not believe the trousers were too tight for him.
The afternoon was spent in the shelter to meet the children and see what had been achieved in the first week.
The children were very polite but a bit apprehensive of the new group. This lasted until Phil and Dave got the parachute out, this proved to be a great ground-breaker, the laughter was a joy to hear.
All too soon it was time to return to the hotel, over supper we discussed the plans for the week ahead. After our afternoon of fun we can't wait to get back and start some practical work.
What we have found after one day is that interacting with the kids is at least as important as the other work.
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UK Time: Tuesday 23rd August 2005 12:51 pm
Belarus Time: Tuesday 23rd August 2005 14:51 pm
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Hi folks this is our Monday bulletin
Our first full day at the shelter.
group was split into two teams, one to interact with the kids and one to decorate. Every one got down to their tasks with enthusiasm but it was noted that Simon was the person who would bring up the subject of breaks, "it's a long day and if we need a break we can always swap tasks". Maybe being a curate has softened him up.
The head of the Borisov fire department suggested that after lunch the group might like to visit the fire museum and station, when a man of this stature suggests something it is taken as an order [and an honour]. The visit was very interesting with a guided tour and a demonstration of how quick they can get mobile. The sight of 12 firemen running around was almost too much for some of the ladies in our party.
rest of the afternoon and early evening was spent at the shelter with the people working through until 8pm.
During our evening discussion we spoke about how we had been affected in different ways not only by the people in St Peter House but by all the people we were meeting.
We had all been touched and blessed in one way or another. Over the next couple of days we will be visiting three other organisations which Oleg helps and supports and we know that there will be times which will be challenging but we do feel that we can make a difference however small to some of the kids lives.
Jan went missing after this photo was taken
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UK Time: Thursday 25th August 2005 11:56 am
Belarus Time: Thursday 25th August 2005 13:56 pm
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Hi folks this is our Wednesday bulletin.
Today's plan was to leave a couple of people at the shelter with the rest of the group and the kids going on a day trip to the capitol Minsk.
The coach left Borisov at 8am for the one hour journey.
We arrived in Minsk it was opulent compared to Borisov a bit like Paris.
We had a sight seeing tour with our interpreter Helena and went to the Orthodox Cathedral,
there was a service taking place when we arrived which was intresting but we decided not to stay for the full four hours. All the Ladies had to wear head-scarves and keep their shoulders covered while the gents couldn't show any leg.
We then went to Mcdonalds where Dave Hope had three burgers and two puddings, (growing lad)!!!
The children enjoyed their happy meals and to see their little faces was a pleasure.
Then onto a beautiful park with a fairground and again if we only leave the children with happy memories that will make the trip worthwhile. Remember the serenity prayer.
In all a very happy day.
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UK Time: Friday 26th August 2005 12:11 pm
Belarus Time: Friday 26th August 2005 14:11 pm
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Hi folks this is our Thursday bulletin
To say this was a day to remember is just a massive understatement.
The day started at 7.45 with breakfast and a quiet time. We then split into three groups. geoff, Julie John & Andy went to concrete the floor of Pastor Sergei's church and enjoyed "mixing" with the locals. Anybody fancy helping to lift 50Kg bags of cement?
The second group went to work at "Peterhouse" finishing the general paintwork and working as a team with the shelter children to paint huge murals of Disney characters. We are known around the shelter as the English Christians, what a great christian example our workers have been.
The third group went on four visits, first we visited Pastor Sergei's orphanage where 123 teenage orphans board. Dave lead the parachute games and once again managed to win over the children. His words were translated by Vora who has visited Parbold, he knows Joanna! Sergei's church has done much to help this orphanage.
Next we visited Rainbow House, a day centre special school for children with various disabilities. This school was fantastic, smiling staff, well resourced and with love in abundance. Sergei's church also has links with this school.
After lunch we visited a drop in centre for disabled children. We had an intresting Q&A session with 30 parents and children followed by singing and games led by our grown up children Dave and Phil. All left overwhelmed by the warm reception.
The fourth visit was quite frankly life changing. We visited the house of Dinna, a disabled child who was provided with a wheelchair by St Johns. Love abounded in this christian home. We were in tears as the 91 year old great grandmother recounted her escape from the Nazis. Then after a family prayer we were in fits of laughter as the ladies whipped Phil with birch branches in the sauna and Dave posed on the outside loo.
The cement group likewise fought back tears as they delivered a washing machine to a poor family of eight who had also adopted eight children. As a treat one of the children appeared with a flute and played a christian song for us, then the rest of the kids also sang a song for us.
As if all this wasn't enough, the rollercoaster of emotians continued with a visit to Borisov FC in the champions league. Simon met the club president and was also on national TV. Borisov lost but we left with yet more wonderful memories.
Please pray for all the children of the various shelters but particularly for Sveta and Ira, their mother died last night, their father died last year. Please pray for them now and for their futures.
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UK Time: Saturday 27th August 2005 18:19 pm
Belarus Time: Saturday 27th August 2005 20:19 pm
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Hi folks this is our Friday bulletin
Our first visit of the day was to "kindergarten 15" a shelter for 3-6 year olds and to the class of 30 who have TB. We were welcomed by a TV crew and a line of children who gave us "bread of welcome". They took us by the hand and led us to a room where they performed to us. We joined in and then played games, this was all filmed including an interview with Winston (the teddy). A 4 minute slot was shown later on the local news (a channel called CRUD TV).
Last night at the Champions league match "Winston" had his photo taken with the team mascot. Unknown to us we were filmed and this was shown on national TV. Phil and Winston are now celebrities.
We then took the children from our local shelter to a local shoe shop and brought shoes, socks and gloves with money donated from Phil's school and others.
We had our last lunch at a local school and thanked and thanked the ladies that had cooked and served over the last two weeks.
Val, Jane and Caroline finished the junier dressing room, they have worked most of the week on it and transformed it to a bright colorful and clean room. The Disney Stencils have been finished.-ALL WORK COMPLETED-
John, Geoff and Andy finished off our commitment to the work at the local baptist church. A British pastor from Luton turned up, who knew Neil!
We had a party at our shelter for the children, games, food and David did his clown act.
Some of us went to visit Oleg's mum at her house and she INSISTED on feeding us and plying us with traditional drinks.
Phil and Simon had a surreal moment. They went to arrange the breakfast and as they walked through the restaurant some people pointed at Winston and sat them down, pouring out vodka the people insisted that Phil and Simon stay-
Phil looked at Simon and said "I'm a celebrity, get me out of here". |
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UK Time: Saturday 27th August 2005 18:32 pm
Belarus Time: Saturday 27th August 2005 20:32 pm
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Hi folks this is our Saturday bulletin
Our last full day in Belarus, the plan was to do some visiting and say goodbye to our new friends.
First stop was the Baby house, this is where orphans go up to the age of 3 years. This particular house had 123 babies in it. The term orphan in Belarus not only applies to children whose parents have died but also to children whose parents can't cope either financially or because of social problems. The kids are well cared for but you can't help wondering what the future will hold for them.
The Baptist church put on a barbecue for us at the side of the river, this was followed by some songs, I don't know what the locals thought of 35 people doing the hokey kokey?
Then it was back to the shelter to say our goodbyes, we handed out some new shoes, socks and gloves to all the children. It was a very emotional time for all of us. It is impossible to put your feelings into words, you try not to get involved but we are only human.
Please pray for all the people we have visited that God's love will abound and that the children will be blessed. |
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