We're More Ukrainian Than We Realise

When I first went to Ukraine in the summer of 2011 I was surprised by how much Ukraine is like Canada.  The scenery everywhere in Ukraine looks like a specific part of Canada - coastal areas, prairies, mountain areas; even the vegetation is the same.  Ukrainian culture is a huge part of Canadian culture, much more than many Canadians realise.  Many of us will remember watching the Shumka Dancers on TV on holiday specials when we were growing up.  Even recently some of my Canadian friends were surprised that perogies and cabbage rolls originated in Ukraine.  In the beginning, some of my Ukrainian friends were surprised that I had even heard of perogies and cabbage rolls.  This is just the tip of the iceberg.  There's MANY more similarities between Ukraine and Canada that I could mention but it would take too long to type them out.  :) 

So today just for fun I went into town and took some photos to show my Ukrainian friends of what is Ukrainian in Halifax.  Even though Halifax is a very "British" city and has a very small group of Ukrainian Diaspora compared to other cities in Canada it's still not hard to find Ukrainian things here.

This is the Welsford Parker monument.  It is the only monument in North America commemorating the British victory in the Crimean war of the 1850's as well as two men from Halifax who died in that war.  William Hall also fought in this war.  Until today I never knew that Alma, NS & Alma, NB were named after Alma in Crimea.  More info is here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsford-Parker_Monument

This monument across the street from the Nova Scotian Hotel placed there by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress commemorates 100 years of Ukrainian immigrants coming to Canada.  This year marks the 125th anniversary.

One of the inscriptions on the monument.  At first I thought the figure was in a death shroud.

Another inscription on  it.

Of course I had to add my own touch.  :)

This is at the dock where many of the Ukrainian settlers arrived in Canada.  It's now a museum of immigration to Canada.

The sales lady in the gift shop told me that there's some Ukrainian matryoshkas in amongst these russian ones.

There's a deli in Halifax that sells some products from Ukraine.  I don't understand why pickled tomatoes haven't caught on here.  They are sooo good.

Last Christmas a friend invited me to the Ukrainian Society's Christmas celebration.

I Am So (Mc)Joyful

When I checked the calendar of the university where I work I couldn't believe it when I saw that Christmas vacation fell when McJoyful Christmas is going on in Kryvyy Rih.  Then I checked airline prices, found a good price, checked to see what was left in the bank, talked with a few people and this past week a lot has come together quickly.  I've been back in Canada less than 3 weeks now and already I have bought a ticket to return to Ukraine in December for a few weeks.  I am sooo looking forward to being in Ukraine for Christmas; it is an amazing time of year to be there.  I am especially looking forward to being there for McJoyful Christmas as well as being with my Ukraine family and friends.

For those who might not know, McJoyful Christmas is when Loads of Love charity takes orphan children to McDonald's for a Christmas party.  These kids would not normally get a special Christmas meal and may not even get a Christmas party in the orphanages.  At McJoyful they play party games, have Happy Meals and are told the Christmas story.  As I mentioned in previous blogs McDonald's is seen as an elite place to eat and these children simply wouldn't get to go without the generosity of others.  So going there will be a huge treat for these kids...about 3 thousand of them.  You can read more about McJoyful Christmas here:  http://www.loadsoflove.org/mcjoyful-christmas.html 

I know it's a bit early to think about Christmas but if you would like to help me take some extra Christmas blessing to those who have so little I would really appreciate your help.  I want to take some craft supplies with me, things that can't be found in Ukraine and are light and easy to pack.  If you could donate some things or a gift to help me buy them it would be appreciated by so many.  If you wish to give a gift to help out you can just click the "donate now" button on the right side of the blog to donate on line.  You can also click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page for other giving options.  Thank you so much.

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

 

One of the groups from McJoyful several years ago.

One of the party games at McJoyful is to put fries in the bun and then eat them as fast as possible with your hands behind your back.  Since it's a party for Jesus' birthday the burger represents a cake & the fries candles.

This was the year I told the Christmas story from the viewpoint of one of the wise men with my friend Igor translating.  In the picture was the point in the story about Mary being pregnant.  You had to be there; it was too funny.

Another group of happy kids from a few years ago with our hostess Katya.

Readjusting Again

I've been back in Canada a week now.  Since I landed in Halifax last weekend I've been busy getting things caught up and trying to get things done as well as get over the jet lag.  There was so much to do that I wasn't expecting and, frankly, I am just exhausted.  Now that these things are mostly done I'm hoping that I can have an actual vacation to rest up before my job winds up for the season in the next few weeks.  I figured out the other day that I have actually been on the go with one thing or another for the last 2 years without stopping.

After being in temperatures of 30 to 40 degrees Celsius I'm still readjusting to the humid Atlantic Canada climate again.  I've also got a bad case of sticker shock.  Prices in Canada went up a lot while I was home and after seeing how the exact same brands in Ukraine are so much cheaper (usually by about 60%) I just can't see how corporations here can justify their pricing for basics such as food...okay, rant over.

Now that I'm back in Canada again people are asking me what I'll be doing next.  Before leaving Kryvyy Rih my friends were asking me if I'll be back at Christmastime for McJoyful Christmas.  I would love to but everything boils down to resources.  My calling has not changed and I am going back to Ukraine at some point when things come together to make it happen.  I still hope that I can get to stay there more permanently instead of going in for 3 months at a time as a tourist but for now it's time to wait...stay tuned.

In the meantime I would be happy to come visit your church or group to share all about my work and experiences in Ukraine with you.  Just drop me a line if you're interested.

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

Here are a few more photos of the last 3 months:

Happy Meal delivery to the TB hospital

One of my best birthday parties ever when I took the guys from Boorie Ooglie to McDonald's

We crammed all of this and more as well as 4 people into a small train compartment.

The day before my haircut.

It's all gone now.