Christmas Already?!?

On Wednesday it'll be 2 years since I first left Canada on Christmas Day to begin life on the road.  These 2 years have sure flown by and this past year has been a busy one with all of the ups and downs that went with it.  I won't do a year end recap of everything as it's all on the previous blog entries.  This past weekend I went and stayed in a couple of the outlying villages to spend time with some friend's churches there.  Then on the way home we stopped at Boorie Ooglie for a short visit.  Other than that I haven't been doing much over the past few weeks except for taking it easy to help my injuries to heal.  My injuries continue to heal and things are going well.  I can manage to do more and more things around the house and I can walk almost normally.  I get frustrated when I forget that my arm isn't fully mobile yet and I go to use it to do something.  I did manage a couple of marshrutka rides without re-injury as well.  (A marshrutka is an 18 passenger van used like a bus on a bus route.)

Now that I'm more confident about going on the marshrutkas (as long as I can get a seat) I plan to take part in McJoyful Christmas which starts tomorrow.  It'll be great to see the kids, many of whom I haven't seen since McJoyful Christmas last year.

I can't believe it's Christmastime already.  With what I've been going through these past few months and with what's been going on in Ukraine I haven't given it a whole lot of thought; but, I do have the apartment decorated.  Other than McJoyful Christmas I don't know yet what I'll be doing on Christmas (which is January 6th here) or New Years.

After re-evaluating my financial position I guess I'll be coming to Canada in the new year.  I've been putting off buying a ticket hoping that a miracle will happen and I can go back to Kyrgyzstan instead.  But I guess I'll have to make a move on that soon. As much as I love you all I want to continue life on the road as my heart and my calling is here.  So we'll see in the next couple of weeks what will happen.

If you would like to help me continue here you can send a gift on line by clicking the LinK 127 donations link at the right side of the blog.  You can also set up a monthly sponsorship there.  You can also mail a gift to the address below or send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com.  Please remember to specify that your gift is for me and include a note advising how you would like me to use it.  Canadian donations are tax deductible, but not those by e-transfer.

LinK 127
833 Canaan Mountain Road
Kentville, NS

Canada B4N 4K1 

Please keep the nation and the people of Ukraine in your prayers.  Things are not good here as the anti-government protests continue and it looks like both sides are digging in for a long time.  It's disappointing that the western media seem to have largely ignored what is going on here with little and/or inaccurate coverage.  There's a lot more going on here than the toppling of a couple of Lenin statues by some individuals.  Ukraine has so much potential to become a great nation and the beautiful people here deserve so much better than what they're getting.  But I guess it's not proper for me to comment on that here so I'll leave it at that.

 Please keep me in your prayers as well.  Thank you so much for seeing my heart.  Merry Christmas to all of you and God's blessings on you throughout the season.  Till next time...я дюблю вас!!

  

Some of my Christmas decorations made by children at Svetly Put Orphanage in Kyrgyzstan

The manger was also made by kids of Svetly Put.  By the way this and the ornaments in the previous picture (minus one Christmas tree) will be for sale when I do get back to Canada.

Back in Krivoy Rog

I finally was able to get back to Krivoy Rog a little over a week ago.  It's so good to be back.  I was going stir crazy in Kyiv not being able to go anywhere because of my injuries and with nothing to do but look at the walls most of the time.  Once again I'm in good hands here.  Anya and Dima came and helped me with my shopping and Lena D. came over one day and did some cooking so I could put some meals in the fridge as I can't do very well with things like chopping vegetables yet.

I was able to get rid of my casts and the crutch this past week and I see improvement everyday.  The stitches come out tomorrow.  It'll be a while before I can fully bend or straighten my arm and walk without a limp but things are coming along okay.  Other than that it's been a busy week.  I had some houseguests for a couple of nights this week with a visiting team.  Yesterday (Saturday) I was able to tag along with the gang to Boorie Ooglie who brought a decent meal and some fellowship to the men.  Then today I tagged along as another group from Boorie Ooglie and a couple of less fortunate families were treated to the circus.   This coming week I'm looking forward to seeing Pastor Ted and Pastor Bill when they come to town for a visit.

I'm still trying to re-evaluate what my plans will be at the end of January when my 3 months in Ukraine are up.  Right now it looks like I'll have to go back to Canada and get a job.  I'm still hoping to go to Kyrgyzstan.  If I go back to Canada there's strong possibility I may never be able to come back which bums me out a bit.  So hopefully things will come together so that I can continue life on the road.  Please keep me in your prayers.

If you feel led to help me continue you can send a gift on line by clicking the LinK 127 donations link at the right side of the blog.  You can also set up a monthly sponsorship there.  You can also mail a gift to the address below or send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com.  Please remember to specify that your gift is for me and include a note advising how you would like me to use it.  Canadian donations are tax deductible, but not those by e-transfer.

Thank you so much for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!! 

LinK 127

833 Canaan Mountain Road

Kentville, NS

Canada B4N 4K1

Lena doing what she does so well...

...some of it being cutlets, borscht...

...and crepes...mmmm!

Me and the gang ready to serve at Boorie Ooglie

 

Another Update

This is another quick update to let you know what I've been doing.  On Nov. 12th I had surgery on my ankle and elbow to insert some titanium pieces to aid my healing.  The surgery went well and I was back at the seminary on Nov. 14th.  This has made a big difference in my comfort level and I notice improvement every day.  I also fooled a couple more doctors in thinking I'm younger than I am.  (I wasn't going to push the envelope and ask how much younger they thought I am.)  Thank you to everyone who have been praying and sent notes of encouragement.  It means so much to me.  The hospital I was in is the one where Dr. Ziad works and it is one of the best I've ever seen, well, actually the best hospital I've ever seen - despite the fact they serve kasha with every meal...yuk!!  Dr. Ziad, his colleagues and the staff of the hospital are absolutely amazing.  Just watching them do their work you can see the beautiful hearts they have.  A big THANK YOU to these wonderful people and to Dr. Ziad who did so much to arrange everything and to bring the costs down.

I have said in previous blogs since I started life on the road how wonderful people in Ukraine are to me, a total stranger.  I just can't say enough how amazing they are.  One of my room-mates in hospital, who had his own surgery to deal with, kept fussing over me helping me to do things, giving me fruit and even insisted on carrying my bag to the door when I left hospital.  Then there's the chief of surgery Dr. Jamal who drove me home himself and has come back to change bandages and to check up on me.  I've never heard of that kind of care in Canada.  Then over the weekend there was a group that stayed at the seminary.  We said very little to each other because of the language barrier - maybe 2 or 3 sentences the entire weekend, but when they left they gave me their leftover groceries.  But the best one yet is that I left my wallet at the bank machine.  It only had about $6 in it but also my bank card.  Someone found it and turned it into security and I got it back with nothing missing.  I'm told that never happens in Ukraine.  These are just a few examples of the amazing Ukrainian hospitality I have experienced and God's favour.  There's so much more I could write about on this subject alone.

So now I hope to get home to Krivoy Rog this week.  I'm waiting for the doctor's okay and someone to help me with my luggage on the train.  Once given, I am out of this expensive city like a shot.  I love Kyiv but I just want to get home.  Once in Krivoy Rog I'll be able to re-evaluate my financial situation to see if I'm going to Kyrgyzstan at the end of January or back to Canada to get a job.  Don't get offended but I don't want to go to Canada, at least not for a while and then only for a visit.  I don't feel that God has finished with me here yet, and He knows how much it'll take to convince me of anything.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers.  If you feel led to help me to continue to show God's love to those that need to see it you can send a gift on line by clicking the LinK 127 donations link at the right side of the blog.  You can also set up a monthly sponsorship there.  You can also mail a gift to the address below or send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com.  Please remember to specify that your gift is for me and include a note advising how you would like me to use it.  Canadian donations are tax deductible, but not those by e-transfer.

Thank you so much for your continued support and for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!!

 

LinK 127

833 Canaan Mountain Road

Kentville, NS

Canada B4N 4K1

The Best Bottle of Pop...Ever!

This is the story that I had ready for the blog a few weeks ago before my accident.  But, it's such a great story that it's worth waiting for, one that is 10 years in the making.  Keep reading.

Those of you who know me will know that I am a very staunch Coke drinker (regular flavour).  Rarely will I drink any other kind.  However, this is the best bottle of pop I have ever had.  I'll get to why it is later.  Forgive me but this might get a little long.

This is Sergey.  He is 55 years old and in his younger days he was a diver in the Soviet navy.  He is now a resident of the Iskra Men's Disabled Home and as far as I'm concerned he is not disabled.  (In the former Soviet countries disabled homes are for mentally and physically disabled.  They are usually placed on the outskirts of town or in another village out of sight and away from general society.)  On October 13th - Thanksgiving Sunday - I was witness to a huge event in Sergey's life.  But first I'll have to give some background.

Sergey was married and had 3 children, a boy and 2 girls.  This would end up not being a good marriage as his wife by all reports was...well...evil.  She was into some kind of satanic worship, drank and would beat their children.  She threatened them if they told their father that she would beat them again.  She also made Sergey stay in the barn and would beat the children if they took him food.  Ten years ago another man came into the picture and she had Sergey committed to the disabled home to get rid of him.  She tried to tell the children that their father was dead, but they were old enough to not believe it and they weren't letting go.

So for the last 10 years Sergey has been living in the disabled home cut off from most of society and his dream was to find his children.  They were looking for him too.  Thanksgiving Sunday was the day that they were all reunited and what an amazing day that was!

Larissa and Tanya do a lot of work at the men's home and they as well as some friends from their church had been posting notices all over the internet on various sites trying to locate the children for Sergey.  Finally on Classmates.com the youngest daughter saw their notice and a photo of Sergey and made contact.  They told the daughter to come to church on Sunday that they had information on her father.  Little did she, her brother, and Sergey, know what was going to happen.  This is where I ended up being involved.

The night before Tanya called me and asked if I would like to go to their church with them in Bishkek for their 22nd anniversary service.  She said that they were bringing Sergey and asked me to bring my camera and wanted to make sure I had room on it for video.  She didn't say anything else.  So the next morning they picked me up and while we're driving Tanya was explaining to me in English what was going to happen after service - right there in front of Sergey.

So after service the moment finally came to bring them all together.  We were all in position with cameras ready and then sprung the surprise.  It was one of the most amazing things I have ever witnessed in my life.  There was lots of crying and hugging as well as a lot of smiles.  Now the oldest daughter was not at church so there was a frantic call made telling her to get to the church.  She didn't believe what she was being told but was coming any ways.  She would later say that it was the longest taxi ride in her life, compounded by the fact that the taxi driver didn't know where he was going.  So about 45 minutes to an hour later there was a second tearful reunion with the oldest daughter.  Sergey was finally reunited with all 3 of his children after 10 years.  But there was more to come.

We all went to a cafe for coffee and dessert and it was so touching to watch the family interact.  They could not keep their hands off of each other.  At all times they either had their arms around Sergey's shoulder or his waist or were touching him in some way and they would walk along arm in arm.  They were not going to let each other go.  They had a lot of catching up to do.  The kids are all grown now and have families of their own.  They said that they don't want anything to do with their mother as she has tried to ruin their lives too.  Sergey then got another shock in finding out that he has 11 grandchildren.

After the cafe they invited everyone to one of the kids' house for tea in true Kyrgyzstan hospitality and here Sergey got to meet all of his grandchildren and the kid's spouses.  Sergey was so excited he couldn't eat but his daughter in true babushka fashion said:  "Papa eat!!" and wouldn't take no for an answer.  During this time one of the spouses said that when they were searching for Sergey they found that the government had him listed as dead...they blamed that on the mother.  So we spent the entire afternoon watching this amazing event unfold, complete with photo albums from the past and a worship time with prayers of thanksgiving.  We now have new members in the eternal family.  The fact that it was Thanksgiving weekend made it even sweeter.

When it was time to take Sergey back to the men's home the tears started again, but this time it will be a much shorter separation. When we were driving down the street the whole family stood motionless in the middle of the street and watched the van until we were out of sight.  There are so many other wonderful details I'd love to tell but it would likely take several blog entries to write them all.  It is a day that I will not forget soon and I am so humbled and honoured to have been a part of it.

So...back to the bottle of pop.  While we were waiting for the oldest daughter to get to the church, the son was sent across the street to the store to buy pop for a few of us.  Imagine, with all of that going on the kids still thought of being hospitable to us strangers.  So with the events of the day, this story of a father and his children who over the years would not let each other go, and who the pop came from, that is why it is the best bottle of pop ever.

You can watch the video of the reunion with Sergey and his youngest daughter and son here.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCvfImmYgRs

To all you parents and children:  keep holding onto each other and never let go.  Till next time...Я люблю вас!!

In the church lobby after the 1st reunion with the youngest daughter and son.

The family with some of those who did the search and arranged the reunion.

The 2nd reunion with the oldest daughter and her son who is the spitting image of Sergey.

Like the bottle of pop I think this is the best Thanksgiving meal I've ever had.

Sergey and his whole family.

Sergey in his younger days when he served at Vladivostok.

 

What a Difference Another Day Makes!

Since I posted my blog yesterday I have had a huge response of prayers and enough money to cover my surgeries and other related expenses.  I am literally moved to tears by this and those who sent notes of encouragement.  Thank you all sooooo much.  It is so great to know the support I have from literally around the world.  Satan didn't win this one either.  Please continue to keep me in your prayers with the upcoming surgeries and my continued work here.

As I always say:  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!!

Okay...NOW I'm in a Mess

Well they say what a difference a day makes. In my case it's not good. I went to see the doctors here in Ukraine today and found out that I have to have 2 surgeries - one on my ankle and one on my elbow if I am to have the use of it again. Getting the surgeries is a no-brainer for me. Of course I want the use of my elbow again. I need it to hold the children that need to be held. The mess boils down to costs and lack of money.

Because of the work I have done here so far the costs have been negotiated down to the minimum. My share will be around $2000 (US). This is not counting my accommodations and food in Ukraine. The surgeries alone will clean out my bank accounts leaving me with nothing. For those of you who have donated to me through LinK 127 thank you so much. It'll take several months before I actually receive those donations due to processing time. The problem is that I need money this week. MSI is no longer valid as I've been out of Canada too long and I have no other insurance. As the British say, I'm just brickin' it right now. I have no idea what to do.

Please keep me in your prayers, especially now. If you feel led to help out you can send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com. Please note that this would not be tax deductible. Any help would be appreciated a lot.

Thank you for seeing my heart. Till next time...я люблю тебя!!

A Quick Update

Yesterday I got back to Ukraine. The traveling went very well and I can't say enough how brilliant the staff were at the Bishkek, Moscow and Kyiv airports as well as the staff of Aeroflot. They made it so easy for me to get on and off of planes, getting my connection, collecting my luggage and so on. We even landed in Kyiv early and there was no lost luggage. The traveling could not possibly have been smoother. I thought it was so cool when changing planes in Moscow they wheeled me from the plane onto a special lift truck and drove me across the tarmac to my connecting gate. I was just expecting to be wheeled through the terminal. It was interesting to me driving past (almost under) all of those huge planes.

So now I'm in Kyiv for a few days to get my repairs double checked by Dr. Ziad who I will see tomorrow. Hopefully I will be able to ditch the crutch which will free up my left hand so that I can do more and get around faster. I'm also anxious to get home to Krivoy Rog. Once there I will have time to think how to try and sort out my financial issues and decide if I'm going back to Kyrgyzstan when my 3 months is up here, or back to Canada to get a job. I'm praying for the Kyrgyzstan opportunity.

Since my accident I have been doing very well. I haven't had to use any pain killers as I have only had minor discomfort. I'm also doing much better than expected learning to do things with my left hand. Because my health was excellent to begin with, that is helping with the healing. It was a great feeling when 2 doctors thought that I was younger than I am and how they both said that I had very good blood and won't have to worry about heart issues. I also think I have lost some of that extra weight - although, still a ways to go there which will be much harder now that I'm back in the land of good chocolate. Right now I am only one metro stop away from the Roshen factory which has an outlet store.

So that's the latest with me. I'm doing okay. Thank you all so much for your prayers and words of encouragement since my accident. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. Thank you for seeing my heart. Till next time...я люблю тебя!!

Not a Fun Couple of Days

I had another story all typed and ready to tell on the blog but that is now on hold for another time. For those of you on Facebook who have been wondering why I asked for serious prayer especially for this past week as well as over the next few weeks, and for those not on Facebook here's what's going on. On Wednesday we went to visit someone and when we got there, there was a situation. I can't go into detail here. I went onto the roof of what turned out to be a barn to check the situation. On my way down I went through the roof and landed on the floor of the barn. Long story short I ended up with a few cuts and bruises, a very sore body, a broken bone in my left ankle (not serious) and I broke my right elbow which required surgery to wire it back together. I think I also broke at least one rib in my back where I landed on it. Now this is the part where I have to say: "Dad I'm fine. And no I'm not coming back to Canada yet. Really, I'm fine."

For the rest of the week I was at the Tokmok hospital for repairs. The surgery went very well and I got home Friday morning. Now I have to learn to do a lot of things with my left hand and I walk with a cane. Daily chores are going to take a lot longer to do but I praise God that it wasn't worse and that no one else got hurt. My wallet is hurting but it was cheap by Canadian dollars and a hit I didn't need right now with my very fragile financial situation. I'll deal with that later. The most pain I had was when the nurse went to pull some medical tape off of my hairy arm. I'm well on the mend and not totally out of action. I might not be walking very good right now, but I am walking in victory! So take THAT satan!! :p

They say that when you're in trouble you find out who your REAL friends are. There are many brilliant people here in Tokmok that I just can't thank enough. Sergey stayed with me the whole time doing everything from translation, to pulling a few strings, running for things I needed and so much more - including taking video of me while I was still under the effects of the anaesthesia. Apparently I speak good Russian while under the influence - now if only I could figure out how to do it sober... . I suspect that the video will come back to haunt me for some time to come. Sergey's wife Anya made some food and they brought it to me in hospital. Then the morning after the surgery my landlord and his wife, Valodia and Tatyana, popped in for a visit to check up on things. They, as well as everyone else, are two of the most kind hearted, sweetest people anywhere. Tatyana is a doctor and knew what questions to ask to see what was going on. She also brought antibiotics and supplements to the apartment, supplied from Canada by John and Julie, and explained what to do for my aftercare. She also brought some food. I am well cared for here by many wonderful people. And for those of you who were praying for me here in Kyrgyzstan and literally around the world, thank you so much. Please keep the prayers going.

I still plan to make my flight to Kyiv on November 2nd. It's going to be interesting as I can't put weight on the ankle for a month and with having one of my arms out of commission. Making airport connections and getting on and off of the train with all of my luggage will be a new experience. I hope to get hospitality service with the airlines but I'll figure everything out in the next few days. (I'll also have to figure out how to get my seriously overweight hand luggage down to the legal limit as someone else will be lifting it.) Once back in Ukraine I'll get Dr. Ziad to check me over as well. Dr. Ziad is a great surgeon who does many of the surgeries for the orphans sponsored through Loads of Love's Operation CAN be Done programme. I'll be in good hands in Ukraine also as well as continuing to be in God's hands. As Ed says: "That's a good place to be."


So, it was not the most fun filled few days this past week but the worst is over. Hallelujah!! Please continue to keep me in your prayers and thank you for seeing my heart. Till next time... Я люблю тебя!

A Lot Would be So Thankful if...

These last couple of weeks have been very quiet since the team left.  This week I was able to resume regular visits to spend quality time with the kids at the baby orphanage.  I'm not able to show you pictures because the orphanage has a no photo policy of their kids on the internet.

Also this week the first delivery of coal took place at Larissa's and Tanya's house.  It is 5 tonnes which will be enough for half of the winter.  They are very grateful to get this jump on winter preparations and have already started distributing it to needy families.  (Thanks so much A. O.)  I want to raise another $500 to get another 5 tonnes for the rest of the winter.

The last couple of days here have seen a major drop in temperatures and you can feel winter in the air.  Yesterday there was a LOT more snow on the mountains and it may not be long before we get it in the valley.  Winter here is a huge concern as keeping warm literally means the difference between life and death.  I'm not exaggerating.  People do die of the cold every winter in Kyrgyzstan.

I am also still wanting to raise $1000 to buy warm blankets for the people at the Kemin Senior's Home.  Each blanket (which is actually more like a comforter) costs approximately $22 and I need 45 blankets.  I would also like to raise extra to buy the seniors new sheet and pillowcase sets as well.  It would be so great to give these seniors, who have nothing, a little dignity by having the luxury of a nice warm bed to crawl into on the cold nights.

Also about sheets - Tanya asked if I could purchase some cloth so that the men's disabled home could have sheets for the winter.  There is someone there who can make the sheets for the 230 residents of the home.  One winter they had 80 deaths in this home due to the cold.  I don't know the cost of this yet but I do know I don't have any more money for anything right now.  :(

If you would like to help me with these requests a lot of people here would be VERY thankful.  As you reflect on what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend please consider helping out.  I have only 3 weeks left in Kyrgyzstan and I would really like to be able to have the orders placed, paid for and delivery arranged before I go back to Ukraine at the end of the month.  Would you like to help save lives?

To help out you can click the link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a gift to the address below or send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com.  Please remember to specify that your gift is for me and include a note advising how you would like me to use it.  Canadian donations are tax deductible, except those submitted by e-transfer.

As I always say - thank you for seeing my heart...Я люблю тебя!  Please continue keep me in your prayers as well.  Happy Thanksgiving!! 

LinK 127

833 Canaan Mountain Road

Kentville, NS

Canada B4N 4K1

Bagging the coal for distribution

Tanya with some very grateful recipients

On Thursday there was almost no snow on the mountains.  This is what it looked like Friday morning.  Winter is coming.

They Painted Everything!

The last two weeks have been busy here.  A team from my church in Canada came to visit and helped out with some projects for the folks at Act of Kindness.  It was great to have them here and they did a fantastic job of spreading God's love throughout the Chui Valley.  From the moment they got here until the time they left they didn't stop.

They did everything from providing meals and food hampers for the less fortunate to spending quality time with orphans and seniors.  They painted everything from nails to faces to fences and they did it exuding such love.  They have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many here in Kyrgyzstan.  Everyone on the team was absolutely amazing.

Now that the team has gone it's pretty quiet.  I have just spent the last few days catching up with myself.  In the upcoming weeks I want to get back to regular visits at the baby orphanage and I hope to be able to do something at the men's disabled home and Orlovka Orphanage.

I am still trying to raise money to buy warm blankets for the seniors home and coal for needy families as I mentioned in my last blog entry.  http://blairs-page.blogspot.com/2013/09/wellits-worse-than-i-thought.html  I would really appreciate your help in doing this.  Winter can start literally any day and even though winters are short they are deadly in Kyrgyzstan.  To help you can click the link on the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to give on line.  You can also mail a gift to the address below or send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com.  Please include a note advising that your gift is for me and how you would like me to use it.  Canadian donations are tax deductible but not those by e-transfer.  Please consider helping to save lives.

Please continue to keep me in your prayers.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127
833 Canaan Mountain Road
Kentville, NS
Canada B4N 4K1

 

They gave hand massages and painted nails at the Kemin Seniors Home...

...and they provided a good lunch for the seniors

Donating knitted things to the baby hospital

Spreading love at the baby orphanage

They took the kids from Beikut Orphanage to the hot springs

Painting the fence at a new church

Painting the church

Face painting

Getting food hampers ready to deliver to families in need

Painting a mural at the men's disabled home in Kemin

Delivering food to those who glean their living at the dump

Digging post holes for a playground fence in East Iskra

A great team!!

Well...It's Worse Than I thought!

I have finally a minute to sit down and write this entry.  I have been busy the past week and a half tagging along with my friends from my church in Canada who are here helping the folks of Act of Kindness and are spreading God's love throughout the Chui Valley.  After they leave on Friday and I have a chance to sort through my photos I will write more about their visit.  They have been doing great!

One day I was able to go with them to visit the folks at the Kemin Senior's home.  As I mentioned in my last blog entry this is the home that I want to buy new blankets for.  Winter can literally happen here any day now and temperatures can go down as low as minus 35C.  Being warm in a Kyrgyzstan winter means the difference between life and death (this is not an exaggeration; many do die here every winter).  When we toured the Kemin Home I discovered that the blankets they have now are not very good as you'll see in the photos.  They are worse than I expected and this brings a new urgency to me getting these replaced with some warm blankets.  I would like to raise $1000 and if I raise $300 more I would also like to buy new sheets and pillow cases.

As I also mentioned in my last blog entry I want to raise another $500 to buy 5 more tonnes of coal for families in need at Iskra village.  As it's cheaper than after winter starts, now is the best time to buy coal and today I will be delivering the first $500 for the first 5 tonnes to Larissa and Tanya. They coordinate distributing it and are so excited and grateful to get this jump on winter preparations.  10 Tonnes of coal will keep up to 15 families warm this winter.

Please please please will you consider helping me to spread some warmth for this winter?  It can save lives.

To help me do this you can donate on line by clicking the link on the right side of this blog for LinK 127.  You can also send a cheque to the address below or send an e-transfer to blairslife1@gmail.com.  Please include a note specifying that your donation is for me and where you would like me to use your gift.  Donations from Canada are tax deductible (but not those sent via e-transfer).  Every dollar counts!!

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127
833 Canaan Mountain Road
Kentville, NS
Canada B4N 4K1

At the Kemin Home

These are the kind of blankets I want to buy.

This is 5 tonnes of coal from last year.  I would like to buy another pile like this.

Another picture from last year.  Tanya is on the right.