I Made It

After traveling by planes, trains and automobiles...and a bus, I finally made it to Krivoy Rog this morning.  The traveling could not have gone any smoother...no delays, no lost luggage, no major issues at all.  Now I'm just settling into my apartment for the summer.  It's so good to be home.

After I got to Kyiv yesterday I had several hours to kill before my train left for Krivoy Rog so I decided to go downtown.  As last Sunday was Easter here the carnival was still happening on the squares at St Sophia and St Michael's churches and the whole street in between.  I have never seen so many Ukrainian Easter eggs in one place before.

I then went to Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) to see what it looks like now after the revolution.  It's all been cleaned up but I could see that it's not as bright looking anymore with all of the smoke buildup on the buildings and monuments.  I felt a different atmosphere there as well.  It wasn't as vibrant but that may be attributed to crowds of people being up the hill for the Easter carnival.

I walked up what used to be called Instytutska (Institute) Street where many of the murders by the Yanukovich government happened.  The street is now closed to traffic and renamed in honour of who are now known as the Heavenly Hundred (the people who were murdered).  All up and down the street are many memorials to those who died and a lot of displays of items from the revolution, makeshift shields, helmets, gas masks, etc.  It was hard for me to do that walk after watching the live internet feeds when it was all happening.  What struck me the most was that the people who died were of all ages.  The youngest was 17 years old and the oldest was 73 and there were all ages in between.  Sorry for sounding so morbid.

So then it was off to get supper and back to the train station.  In the next few days after the jet lag wears off I'll meet with the local workers to see where I can be of most help.  I am so looking forward to getting back to my real job.  I have also got at least one or two projects in the works.  Stay tuned.

If you would like to help me with some projects, such as an outing for those who don't get out much, or maybe a decent meal or treat of some kind, you can click the "donate now" button on the right side of the blog.  You can see other giving options by clicking the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page.  Every dollar will count in enriching the lives of those who have so little and will be appreciated a lot.

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Please keep me in your prayers.  я люблю вас!!

The sign on the bell tower says "Christ is Risen!"

This vendor could not possibly make his stall more Ukrainian.

Even Kinder eggs were dressed up.

The board behind the photo is a makeshift shield.

No more barricades or traffic.  On the wall to the left is a photo and a memorial to each of those who died.  You can see "before" photos here:  http://blairs-page.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-revolution-in-kyiv.html

Makeshift shields with bullet holes

Hrushevskova Street with no burnt out buses and barricades

Khreschatyk Street was a tent city when I was here last.

On a happier note...chestnut trees and lilacs grow EVERYWHERE in Ukraine.  They are in full bloom and the smell is incredible.

 

Headed Out

Well it's taken almost 2 1/2 years but I'm finally on my way home to Ukraine.  The preparations are made and the packing is done and I'm out the door.  I'll post an update when I get to Krivoy Rog.

Please keep me in your prayers.  я люблю вас! 

The Time is Getting Closer

Wow! The time is sure flying by. In just a month I'll be off to Ukraine for the summer to pick up my missions work and to reconnect with my friends. I'm getting more and more anxious to get to the airport every day. I can hardly wait!

While I'm in Ukraine I would like to do some projects but currently I don't have the resources for any. I am still praying for financial miracles. One project I would like to sponsor is perhaps an outing to the circus or a McDonald's and movie day for the kids at the Rehab Centre. For kids who spend most of their time in an institutional environment it is great for them to get out for a while and just be kids. As I've mentioned before, going to McDonald's in Ukraine is a HUGE deal; people will dress up just to go there. We in North America take for granted that we can go there several times a week for a meal, but children in an orphanage might get there a couple of times a year simply because they don't have parents to take them anywhere.

I would also like to be able to sponsor an outing or a decent meal for the guys at the men's disabled home in Boorie Ooglie. These men have so little and deserve so much more than they have to deal with.

Would you please consider being a blessing to these deserving folks who need to see the Father's love in action? Every bit helps and would be appreciated by so many.

To give an on line gift you can click the donation button on the right side of this page. For other giving options you can click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page. Donations from Canada through LinK1:27 are tax deductible. Thank you so much.

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

Seeing these smiles makes the cost of a few Happy Meals priceless.

This meal is much better than what these men at Boorie Ooglie normally get.

This past week I was interviewed about my missions work for an upcoming show of "Hammonds Plains Speaks With Brian Murray" on Community Radio CIOE.  I'll post more details near the time when it will be broadcasted.

I Can't Wait For Spring!!

As I write this blog entry we are cleaning up after another snowfall in the Halifax area.  I just can't wait for spring...but not for the sake of getting winter over with.  A lot can change in a day or two and this week I just happened to check airline prices and found a good deal to Ukraine that I couldn't pass up.  Yes, in early May I am going "home" for 3 months.  Since my job is done for the summer in mid April the timing is great.  Sadly I won't be able to go to Kyrgyzstan this trip but hopefully more doors will open for the not too distant future.

I'm stepping out in faith believing I can find enough funding for this trip.  The airline ticket is taken care of and a few other things but there's a lot that needs to be done.  What I get with my job in the meantime will help with some of that.  I would really love it if you come along side me to help me show the Father's love to those that need to see it in action.  Would you please consider giving a gift to help me to make a difference?  To give a gift on line you can click the donation button at the right side of the blog.  You can also click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of this page for other giving options.  Canadian donations are tax deductible.  Every dollar counts and will be appreciated so much by many.  Thank you so much.

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я любдю вас!!

This is what my neighbourhood looks like today.

 

 

I would love to be able to sponsor an outing for these kids.
Would you like to help me do that?

Merry Christmas

Here we are at the end of 2015 and another Christmas season is upon us.  I just want to take a minute and thank those of you who have supported me this past year. 

Because of your generosity this year some kids in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine have amazing memories that will last a lifetime.  Thank you sooo much.  Thank you also to those who helped me out as well.  It was a financially difficult year for me.  To those of you who stepped in to help whether it was to help with an unexpected dental bill, gave me food, money or other things, or stepped aside to let me work your hours so I could pay my rent last summer, you are awesome and I pray God will bless you.  Despite my difficulties I know I am blessed and that God is not through yet.

Coming into 2016 I still pray that I can resume my work in Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine in person.  It's hard to believe that I've been in Canada almost 2 years now.  My homesickness still feels fresh.  If you would like to help me to get back to work you can click the donation button at the right side of the blog to donate on line, or you can click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of this page for other options.  Will you help me to bless those who need to see God's love in action?

Have a very merry Christmas and may God bless you greatly in 2016.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!

These kids in Ukraine had a great day going to a movie and to McDonald's.

These kids in Kyrgyzstan had a great day at the beach and got to go on a boat ride.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Kyrgyzstan Beach Day

This past Monday (August 24th) the kids at Orlovka Orphanage in Kyrgystan were treated to a special day at the beach.  For kids in an orphanage going anywhere outside of the orphanage for an outing is a big deal. The beach is located at Lake Issyk'ul which is the world's 2nd largest saltwater lake.  The beaches there are some of the finest in the world.

The kids had a great time.  I'll let the photos speak for themselves.  Thank you to my friend Sergey and everyone else who helped to make this day happen.  Again, thank you to those who gave to make this and the Ukraine outing possible.  It has created memories for life for these children who have so little opportunities.

If you would like to help me to sponsor future projects and outings for those who have so little and to make some more memories, please click the donation button at the right side of the blog to donate on line.  For other giving options please click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of this page.  Every dollar counts and as you see in the photos it is appreciated by many.

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

A day at the beach is a big deal by itself.  Going on a boat trip is an added big deal for these kids.

 

On the right is Daniel standing by his sister Katrina.  They have had a rough go at life. Those of you who have one of my bookmarks will see the photo of him on my shoulders.  He is also the one in the story about me on the roof for those who heard it.  Sergey has been working at Orlovka Orphanage for years and here's what he said:  "I often visit this orphanage, and many times I try do everything to see Daniel's smile and I can't. But just in the Issyk-Kul, only the first time I saw his beautiful smile."  

 

For those of you who gave...you made this happen.  Bless you!!

Ukraine Movie & McDonald's Outing

This past Monday (August 3rd) the kids at the Rehab Centre in Krivoy Rog went on an outing to a movie and to McDonald's.  As I've mentioned before kids in orphanages don't have parents to take them anywhere and getting out of the centre for a few hours is a huge treat.  In Ukraine going to McDonald's is a huge deal by itself and people will dress up to go there.  We in Canada take for granted going to a place like McDonald's 2 or 3 times a week but the kids in the orphanages might get a chance to go 2 or 3 times per year.

The kids (and the volunteers) had an amazing time.  I will let the photos speak for themselves.  Thank you so much to those who gave and thank you so much to my Loads of Love friends for making it all happen.

The beach outing planned for the kids in Kyrgyzstan is going to happen later this month.  Stayed tuned for an update.  If you would like, there is still time to help me out with the expenses.  You can click the donation button at 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 giving options.  Every dollar is a help and so many appreciate your giving.

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

They saw the new Minions movie.

As a special surprise there was also ice cream.  Ice cream by itself is a huge treat for orphanage kids.

And what's a party without balloons?

Stay Tuned For an Update...

In May I put out a request for help with sending a group of orphans in Kyrgyzstan and a group in Ukraine on a summer outing.  Just to update you the outings will take place later this summer.  In Kyrgyzstan the kids at the Orlovka Orphanage will be going for a day trip to the beach and in Ukraine the kids at the Rehab Centre will be going to a movie and McDonald's.

It's a big deal to those kids to show that someone out there cares about them and to get out of the orphanage for a while to just be kids.  Thank you so much to those who gave to help make this possible.  Stay tuned for an update later this summer with photos.

If you would still like to help me out with the costs you can send a gift by clicking the donation button at the right side of the blog to give on line, or you can click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page for other giving options.  Every dollar is a help and is greatly appreciated by so many.

Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я дюблю вас!!

This group at Orlovka Orphanage will enjoy a day at one of the world's finest beaches at Lake Issyk'ul.

This group at the Rehab Centre in Krivoy Rog, Ukraine will enjoy a movie and Happy Meals.  Going to McDonald's is a HUGE deal in Ukraine.

Summer is Coming

As the snow has FINALLY melted in Atlantic Canada and the spring flowers are just coming out it's hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. I'm sure people are already planning their vacation trips and outings for their kids for when school is finished for the summer. My thoughts are with the kids in the orphanages in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan who don't get a lot of chances for an outing like we take for granted here.

I would like to be able to sponsor an outing for the kids at one of the orphanages in Ukraine. Getting out of the orphanage for a few hours to have some fun is priceless to these kids. In order for me to do this I need your help. It costs approximately $500 to provide a day of fun for these kids, perhaps a trip to the beach or a movie and a burger. For another $500 I can sponsor an outing for an orphanage in Kyrgyzstan to show some love that will make lifetime memories for those who have so little.

Would you like to help me to make memories for these kids? Every little bit helps. If you would like to help out please click the donation button at the right side of the blog to give on line. You can also click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of this page for other giving options. Please specify that the donation is for me (Blair) for an outing. This would mean sooo much to the kids.

Please keep me and Ukraine in your thoughts and prayers, that I can find a way to get back to work and that the russian aggression will end in Ukraine. Till next time...я люблю вас!!

We often take for granted going to McDonald's once or twice a week.  These kids might get there once or twice a year.

These memories will last a lifetime