Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
How crisis looks in Ukraine: a few glimpses
I do not doubt that crisis has affected many in many countries, but since I live in Ukraine, I am experiencing crisis “Ukrainian style”. Well, I can’t complain. God has been very gracious to my family, we do not starve, and we have all we need for our lives and to provide for the kids. Yet, there are things that concern me about certain groups of people in our country, the state of affairs in some areas…
… for instance, education and teachers. I must say that to be a teacher in a public school is to be in poverty. Another insight would be that in our system public schools is the most common way of educating kids in our country. There are now a few private schools here and there, but they remain to be in minority. I’d say 90%+ of students in Ukraine attend public schools, and homeschooling is not an option. So, the education of our kids, the future “brains” of our country are in the hands of those enthusiasts that still find some satisfaction in working full time and getting very low wages. I understand that Ukraine is a different economy, but with average wages of $1500 per month in Kiev, and may be $400 - $500 per month on average in Ukraine, the teachers before crisis were getting about $100. After the crisis hit, the government cut 20% of their wages in our national currency, hrivens, plus hriven fell to dollar (it used to be 5 hriven to 1 USD, now it’s 8 hriven to 1 USD), thus their wages now is about $50 per month.
Now, if one lives in a tiny apartment that he or she owns, and paid in full for it (doesn’t have to pay back a loan), the monthly expenses on utilities, communal fees, and transportation to and from work would take up to $150. So, even if our teachers learnt not to eat and survive, they would still be $100 dollars in red each month… And this is just teachers in public schools, I am sure there are other groups that struggle not less than teachers.
Another thing that I learnt recently… that for HIV positive orphaned kids that are held in a special hospital government budgeted 20 kopeks (one fifth of one hriven) per day for meals. Now, let us see.. 8 hrv is 1 dollar, 1 hriven is 12 and a half cents, then 20 kopeks makes it two and a half cents per day per child. Man… is that a special diet for kids with this terrible diagnosis?
Yet, we manage to survive. Teachers, workers, those at mercy of the government… It’s still a mystery to me how we do it, but we do it! I already came up with plan B: in case of complete collapse of economy, there is still the land that Ukraine is famous for… I will just have to learn a few farming tricks… may be I should start learning now?
… for instance, education and teachers. I must say that to be a teacher in a public school is to be in poverty. Another insight would be that in our system public schools is the most common way of educating kids in our country. There are now a few private schools here and there, but they remain to be in minority. I’d say 90%+ of students in Ukraine attend public schools, and homeschooling is not an option. So, the education of our kids, the future “brains” of our country are in the hands of those enthusiasts that still find some satisfaction in working full time and getting very low wages. I understand that Ukraine is a different economy, but with average wages of $1500 per month in Kiev, and may be $400 - $500 per month on average in Ukraine, the teachers before crisis were getting about $100. After the crisis hit, the government cut 20% of their wages in our national currency, hrivens, plus hriven fell to dollar (it used to be 5 hriven to 1 USD, now it’s 8 hriven to 1 USD), thus their wages now is about $50 per month.
Now, if one lives in a tiny apartment that he or she owns, and paid in full for it (doesn’t have to pay back a loan), the monthly expenses on utilities, communal fees, and transportation to and from work would take up to $150. So, even if our teachers learnt not to eat and survive, they would still be $100 dollars in red each month… And this is just teachers in public schools, I am sure there are other groups that struggle not less than teachers.
Another thing that I learnt recently… that for HIV positive orphaned kids that are held in a special hospital government budgeted 20 kopeks (one fifth of one hriven) per day for meals. Now, let us see.. 8 hrv is 1 dollar, 1 hriven is 12 and a half cents, then 20 kopeks makes it two and a half cents per day per child. Man… is that a special diet for kids with this terrible diagnosis?
Yet, we manage to survive. Teachers, workers, those at mercy of the government… It’s still a mystery to me how we do it, but we do it! I already came up with plan B: in case of complete collapse of economy, there is still the land that Ukraine is famous for… I will just have to learn a few farming tricks… may be I should start learning now?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Masha's performance
Having two kids completely fills our schedule: different activities, special time with them, providing for them, etc. A lot of work.. and even more fun! My daughter Masha is learning to sing in a choir (among some other things). As it turned out, the choir where we took her, is well known in music circles and is invited to different places to sing. Well, on January 11th, they sang in Kiev National Philarmonic. Masha is the youngest member of their choir. Below are the videos from that performance.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
On the train from Moscow
So, what is it that I like in my mission trips the most? I guess that one of the most exciting things for me is meeting new people - my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. People I would not have met on this side of heaven if not the ministry that God has entrusted me with. The reason why I enjoy meeting believers in different parts of the Earth is that they tell me something new about our God. Each of us brings to life different facets of God's beauty, His wonderful character. It almost seems that while each of us is imperfect, corporately, when we are together we represent the whole beauty of God's character. Each one of us tells part of the Universal story of God's restorative and redemptive work in creation. I am called a "missionary" and by definition of the word it would seem that I need to bring something into people's lives, which of course, by God's grace I do. Yet, the other side of missionary's experience is often omitted and not verbalized. In my experience, I have been as much if not more blessed by people's lives and testimonies, their passion for God and their understanding of God that enriched my understanding.
Right now I am riding on the train back to Kiev from Moscow and my friend and partner in ministry Dr. Wayne Vanderwier is going to Krasnoyarsk. God, in His infinite wisdom ordained that I do not go to this session this time. I really was surprised to feel almost heartache that I won't see my "extended family" in Krasnoyarsk. It didn't feel right that I am not going. Oh, how much I long to see my friends there. Lord! How much I long to see Your glory that shines through these dear brothers and sisters! It's a funny feeling… when on one hand I can't wait to see my family, yet, on the other hand, I wish I was on the plane to Krasnoyarsk.
The session in Moscow was a lot of fun. While it was completely voluntary for our students, as it's not an official part of our curriculum and we promoted it as a session for "those who'd like and be able to come and learn to practice what we have been teaching", we had over 50% of students show up. Smaller number of people helped us to create a wonderful family like environment. It fostered wonderful time of dialogue and learning experiences. Students came out of this training very thankful for practical ideas that they have drawn from it, for testimonies that they have heard, for fellowship that they have had.
I am going home with the feeling that it wasn't enough. It felt like of drinking from the spring of fresh water, as we have dwelt on the wonderful Word of God throughout two days of the training. Truly, "iron sharpens iron" - insights from the Bible that others had were an exhortation for me over and over again.
I don't always know the impact that my ministry makes, sometimes God lets me see that, but, most likely, He hides it from me to keep me humble, so that glory be to Him and only Him! Yet, I sure know the impact this ministry makes on me. God is taking me on a wonderful journey of discovering Him, on a path of realizing (once again!) how infinite He is! Praise be to His name!
Written on the train Moscow - Kiev, December 13, 2008 at 10 pm (two hours before we go through Russian border into Ukraine)
Right now I am riding on the train back to Kiev from Moscow and my friend and partner in ministry Dr. Wayne Vanderwier is going to Krasnoyarsk. God, in His infinite wisdom ordained that I do not go to this session this time. I really was surprised to feel almost heartache that I won't see my "extended family" in Krasnoyarsk. It didn't feel right that I am not going. Oh, how much I long to see my friends there. Lord! How much I long to see Your glory that shines through these dear brothers and sisters! It's a funny feeling… when on one hand I can't wait to see my family, yet, on the other hand, I wish I was on the plane to Krasnoyarsk.
The session in Moscow was a lot of fun. While it was completely voluntary for our students, as it's not an official part of our curriculum and we promoted it as a session for "those who'd like and be able to come and learn to practice what we have been teaching", we had over 50% of students show up. Smaller number of people helped us to create a wonderful family like environment. It fostered wonderful time of dialogue and learning experiences. Students came out of this training very thankful for practical ideas that they have drawn from it, for testimonies that they have heard, for fellowship that they have had.
I am going home with the feeling that it wasn't enough. It felt like of drinking from the spring of fresh water, as we have dwelt on the wonderful Word of God throughout two days of the training. Truly, "iron sharpens iron" - insights from the Bible that others had were an exhortation for me over and over again.
I don't always know the impact that my ministry makes, sometimes God lets me see that, but, most likely, He hides it from me to keep me humble, so that glory be to Him and only Him! Yet, I sure know the impact this ministry makes on me. God is taking me on a wonderful journey of discovering Him, on a path of realizing (once again!) how infinite He is! Praise be to His name!
Written on the train Moscow - Kiev, December 13, 2008 at 10 pm (two hours before we go through Russian border into Ukraine)
Friday, December 12, 2008
PDAs, CPAP and travelling on the train...
Well, last night I and Dr. Wayne Vanderwier boarded a train in Kiev bound for Moscow. This was Wayne's first time in Ukraine and first time on the train and it was pretty cool to observe his excitement. The most routine things for me seemed to be so much fun for Wayne.
The train from Kiev to Moscow crosses the border between the two countries in the middle of the night. At 12:30 am we went through Ukrainian border patrol, and this time even I was amused to see how Ukrainian officials used PDAs to register our information. The matter of fact is that it used to be much faster with using paper, it took them about 1 min to process one person, but now with this new technology it was fun (well, not really fun.. in the middle of the nigth) to see how it took them about 10 minutes using stylus to register our information into the PDA. So, instead of being awake for only about 5 min, we had to be up over 20. Go figure... and they say that technology helps.
Then, about an hour later, at about 1:30 am we were checked by Russian border patrol. This really throws a sleeping cylcle, but on top of all of this, Wayne uses CPAP to help him breath through the night, but on the train there was no electricity supply, so he had to do without it for this night.. for me it meant a night watch (though not necessary.. but I was kinda afraid and really tried to stay up and check on Wayne's breathing).
Having arrived to Moscow early morning, we were greeted by our Moscow coordinator Sergei Babich. He took us to the bus stop to board one of the buses that went to the church where we were going to conduct our seminar. This was the first time when I travelled Moscow roads without traffic jams... but it happened because it was early in the morning, and we were going agains rush hour traffic.
So, the first in-between-modules practical session was about to begin.
The train from Kiev to Moscow crosses the border between the two countries in the middle of the night. At 12:30 am we went through Ukrainian border patrol, and this time even I was amused to see how Ukrainian officials used PDAs to register our information. The matter of fact is that it used to be much faster with using paper, it took them about 1 min to process one person, but now with this new technology it was fun (well, not really fun.. in the middle of the nigth) to see how it took them about 10 minutes using stylus to register our information into the PDA. So, instead of being awake for only about 5 min, we had to be up over 20. Go figure... and they say that technology helps.
Then, about an hour later, at about 1:30 am we were checked by Russian border patrol. This really throws a sleeping cylcle, but on top of all of this, Wayne uses CPAP to help him breath through the night, but on the train there was no electricity supply, so he had to do without it for this night.. for me it meant a night watch (though not necessary.. but I was kinda afraid and really tried to stay up and check on Wayne's breathing).
Having arrived to Moscow early morning, we were greeted by our Moscow coordinator Sergei Babich. He took us to the bus stop to board one of the buses that went to the church where we were going to conduct our seminar. This was the first time when I travelled Moscow roads without traffic jams... but it happened because it was early in the morning, and we were going agains rush hour traffic.
So, the first in-between-modules practical session was about to begin.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Off to another conference
Well, I have been in ministry for about 12 years. This has been a time of shaping me as a Christian and as a missionary. I started out with Ukraine Bible Institute while still studying at Kiev State University, five years later I joined International Faith Initiatives, and I have been with the latter for over six years. Hard to beleive. Now, with much surprise I notice that I actually have something substantial to contribute to the whole process of missions ;)
So, today I am leaving for a forum titled: "Missions today: history, analysis, and new approaches. Perspectives for International Partnerships in the CIS". I am really excited about this opportunity and look forward to hearing out what others have to say about missions in ex-USSR!
Please, pray for this event: for God's guidance during the two days of the conference (Oct 24 and 25), for networking possibilities, for planning of future efforts, and most of all for humble hearts seeking God's plan for missions today in ex-USSR.
So, today I am leaving for a forum titled: "Missions today: history, analysis, and new approaches. Perspectives for International Partnerships in the CIS". I am really excited about this opportunity and look forward to hearing out what others have to say about missions in ex-USSR!
Please, pray for this event: for God's guidance during the two days of the conference (Oct 24 and 25), for networking possibilities, for planning of future efforts, and most of all for humble hearts seeking God's plan for missions today in ex-USSR.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Conclusion: Invisible and silent war
When all is said and done, I love to sit back with a mug of hot tea (especially in the cold weather like today) and reminisce a bit about the event that just ended.
It's nice to be home, and it's great to hug my kids… healthy kids… Oh, Lord, how much we take for granted! I have seen so many wheelchairs, so many challenges that parents have with their unique kids.
As we were sitting at Tetyana Vyhovska's home (Tetyana is the head of rehab center for kids with disabilities) I thought about analogy of silent or invisible war. A parent of healthy kids, myself being in good enough health, I rarely stop and think about all those with challenges in their lives due to the unique make up with which they were born. It happens so, because in Soviet times and to a degree nowadays, these kinds of people are hidden from society: one will never see them in a regular school, or being a part of our regular societal environment. They don't go to movies, they don't go to theaters, they don't go to parties or any other events, and they can't find meaningful employment.
That's what the parents of kids with challenges face. They face one huge CAN NOT. This is not just about disability in the physical make up of their kids. It's about everything else in life. The parents are in this invisible war, silent war. Nobody hears them, nobody notices them. In our system they are on their own.
That's why conferences like the one we have just conducted are so important for Ukraine! We teach doctors to have compassion, we teach them to be open with their patients, and most importantly, we teach them to make Christ known. It's a slow process. As it turned out, it's pretty hard to evangelize doctors, many of them were happy to attend master classes, but just a few showed up for "Learn from the Master" Bible study. Yet, I am sure that the number of attendees at the Bible study is not the measure of things. Every doctor on our team has spoken about Christ, has shared the hope that he or she has in Him. The seeds were sown and God will make it grow in His perfect will and timing.
Meanwhile, we are joining with parents in pressing forward in this silent and invisible war.
It's nice to be home, and it's great to hug my kids… healthy kids… Oh, Lord, how much we take for granted! I have seen so many wheelchairs, so many challenges that parents have with their unique kids.
As we were sitting at Tetyana Vyhovska's home (Tetyana is the head of rehab center for kids with disabilities) I thought about analogy of silent or invisible war. A parent of healthy kids, myself being in good enough health, I rarely stop and think about all those with challenges in their lives due to the unique make up with which they were born. It happens so, because in Soviet times and to a degree nowadays, these kinds of people are hidden from society: one will never see them in a regular school, or being a part of our regular societal environment. They don't go to movies, they don't go to theaters, they don't go to parties or any other events, and they can't find meaningful employment.
That's what the parents of kids with challenges face. They face one huge CAN NOT. This is not just about disability in the physical make up of their kids. It's about everything else in life. The parents are in this invisible war, silent war. Nobody hears them, nobody notices them. In our system they are on their own.
That's why conferences like the one we have just conducted are so important for Ukraine! We teach doctors to have compassion, we teach them to be open with their patients, and most importantly, we teach them to make Christ known. It's a slow process. As it turned out, it's pretty hard to evangelize doctors, many of them were happy to attend master classes, but just a few showed up for "Learn from the Master" Bible study. Yet, I am sure that the number of attendees at the Bible study is not the measure of things. Every doctor on our team has spoken about Christ, has shared the hope that he or she has in Him. The seeds were sown and God will make it grow in His perfect will and timing.
Meanwhile, we are joining with parents in pressing forward in this silent and invisible war.
More pictures from the conference you may find at
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=9147&l=dba57&id=1060477577
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