Getting (and keeping) Warm

I would like to thank those who came out to Rock Church in Halifax over the weekend to hear my stories of life on the road in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine as well as for your kind feedback. It was a great day.

As part of my presentation I spoke about a project where I would like to buy blankets for the seniors home in Kemin, Kyrgyzstan.  For those of you who had expressed an interest, and for anyone who would like to help, here is some more information.

Even though the weather is finally getting warm it's not too early to prepare for winter in Kyrgyzstan.  Winters there can get as low as minus 35C (minus 31F) and this is a huge concern as many people can't afford utilities to heat their homes.  One winter there was 80 deaths in the Men's disabled home because the heating at that time wasn't adequate.  In September when the snow gets lower on the mountains and into the valley people get very concerned about winter preparations.  And believe me, those concrete buildings get VERY cold.  I have experienced minus 14C with no heat there and I never want to be that cold again.  Keeping warm means the difference between life and death.

Two years ago at the Kemin home I met Luba who had lost both of her feet to frostbite...in her own apartment simply because she had no money for the utilities.  You can read more of her story and see photos here:  
http://blairs-page.blogspot.ca/2012/10/thankfulness.html and here 
http://blairs-page.blogspot.ca/2012/10/its-getting-cold_21.html

I would like to supply new blankets for all of the seniors in the Kemin home.  They are made locally in Kyrgyzstan by a wonderful lady named Aigula who needs income right now as business is currently slow.  The purchase of these blankets not only helps to keep the seniors warm this winter but also helps Aigula to provide for her family.

So far I have 14 blankets paid for and I need to buy 31 more.  They cost $25 each.  Would you like to partner with me to help save lives?  If you would, please click the Canada Helps button on the right side of the blog to donate on line, or you can click the "Ways to Donate" tab at the top of the page for other options.  Please remember to include a note with my name and advise that your gift is for blankets.  Thank you so much.

Please continue to keep me in you prayers as well as Ukraine which is having elections this Sunday (May 25th).  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я дюбдю вас!!

 

One of the beds at the Kemin Seniors Home

These are the blankets I would like to buy.  They are actually more like a comforter.

Some of the residents of Kemin Seniors Home

This is Luba who lost her feet to frostbite in her own apartment.

You're Invited

For those of you in the Halifax area this coming Sunday (May 18th) for the Victoria Day weekend I would like to invite you to come hear some of my stories about my life on the road in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine.  

I will be at Rock Church 222 Sackville Drive in Lower Sackville for the 10 AM service as well as at Rock Church Downtown in Citadel High School's Spatz Theatre for the 7 PM service.  I'd really be honoured if you would come out.  

Here's What I've Been Doing Lately

Since it has been a few weeks I thought it was time for an update of my goings on.  Things are still very much up in the air right now as to my future plans.  In fact, I can't plan anything right now as there are several circumstances coming together preventing me from making any concrete plans.

One of these circumstances is due to the injuries from my accident.  I am on a waiting list to have another surgery on my arm to take out the metal braces.  With the famous long Nova Scotia medical waiting lists they think that my surgery might be July or August.  Because of the metal in my arm I have limited mobility in it.  Then there's the metal in my ankle that's causing some other issues.  I'm told that the waiting list for the ankle doctor is even longer.  So because of all of this I haven't been able to work while I'm in Canada as I can't do a lot of tasks very well without full mobility and with the uncertainty of the surgery date.  (I'm not whining.  I'm just saying what's going on.)

I have been managing to keep busy though.  I was able to take in some of the Jesus to the Nations conference in March and I have helped out at a couple of the senior's dinners at Full Gospel Church.  I have also volunteered at World Vision's Church Leaders Forum at Full Gospel and helped at one of their sponsorship tables at the Stars on Ice Show when it was in Halifax.  I will be helping World Vision again at a Brian Doerksen concert in the next couple of weeks.

Other than that I have been trying to find a place to stay for the summer and to pull resources and the logistics together so that I can return to life on the road.  I really feel like a fish out of water here in Canada and I'm anxious to get back to my work.  Right now I'm praying that I can get everything pulled together to get back to it in September...even though I'd rather leave now.  I miss everyone so much.

Would you like to partner with me to resume life on the road sharing God's love to those that need to see it?  If so, please check out the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page for several options.  Every little bit helps to make a difference in someone's life and it is appreciated by many people.  Thank you so much for your consideration. 

Please continue to keep me and Ukraine in your prayers.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!!

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