Back on the Road

I've now been back in Ukraine for just over a week.  All of the travelling from Canada went well, except for some night owls on the train and the lack of sleep that went with it.  So after being awake for nearly 3 days I wasn't able to adapt to the time change very well this trip.  The 1st Saturday was a complete blur.  Other than that the flights were perfect and no lost luggage.  I'm so glad to be back home in Krivoy Rog where the weather is actually summer.  I felt so mouldy with the cold and wet spring that Halifax has had this year.

This past week I kept busy with making plans as well as moving and settling in at a new apartment.  I'm house-sitting for some friends while they go away for the summer.  I also got a visit in at the baby hospital in the section where the abandoned babies are taken.  They are taken there for a health check before being transferred to an orphanage.  Babies that are already in an orphanage are also brought to this section when they get sick.

I was also able to spend some time with the folks from Boorie Ooglie disabled home a couple of days this week and on another day I helped with my friend Igor at a day camp at the Shelter Plus church.  While I was at the day camp there was a delivery of cherries being made to Boorie Ooglie that I was able to sponsor.  The diet that the home provides for the residents is...well...absolutely disgusting.  They just get slop to eat with some bread.  So needless to say the cherries and any other treat they might get from visitors is a complete luxury.  This is a big part of the reason I want to sponsor some picnics this summer.  On these picnics they would be given 2 or 3 decent meals as well as a day away from the institution at a beautiful park setting.  I'm still raising money for these picnics and I have already said that I will sponsor one picnic even though funds are limited right now.  I want to sponsor 4 picnics so that different groups from the home will be able to go.

I also met with the Director of the Children's Rehab Centre this week and said that I will take the kids to McDonald's.  Just like I did last summer we will make it a Movie and McDonald's day.  (The manager at the Multiplex gives the kids free movie tickets and McDonald's is just downstairs from the theatre.)  The director also mentioned that they have a need to repair the water pipes that go into the building and asked if I could help with that.  It is only a cost of $250; small to most folks in North America but a big deal here.  In Ukraine institutions get very little if any money from government, yet the government holds them to strict requirements for their buildings and they have to come up with their own funding.

If you would like to help me to sponsor these and other activities or to help with my ongoing support please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me and where you may want me to direct your gift.  You can also arrange monthly donations.  I will also accept e-transfers at blairslife1@gmail.com.  Canadian donations are tax deductible (but not those by e-transfer) and every dollar counts towards showing love to those who really need to see it.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dads!!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.
Lwr. Sackville, NS
Canada B4E 2H5

At the baby hospital

Shelter Plus day camp.  I helped at the archery booth.

It almost looks like I know what I'm doing.

Yura unloading the cherries for Boorie Ooglie

Yura and Lena passing them out in the cage.  The cage is another reason I want to get the folks to a park setting for a day.

Without the cherries this is the meal that they serve at Boorie Ooglie - slop with a squirt of ketchup and bread.

This is from a picnic sponsored by Loads of Love and the kind of picnic that I would like to sponsor 4 of.  Now doesn't that food look much better...and without the cage?

On The Move Again

I'm down to the last few days in Canada.  On Thursday I leave for Ukraine for the summer and then to Kyrgyzstan in September.  Needless to say I'm getting more and more anxious to get back with each passing day.

I haven't been doing much new lately except tying up the loose ends before I go.  I'm still fund raising for the activities that I mentioned in my previous blog entry.  There are 50 kids at the Children's Rehab Centre that I want to take to McDonald's.  As I mentioned before, going to McDonald's is a huge deal in Ukraine and these kids just simply don't have the means to go there and McJoyful Christmas is still a few months away.  The cost to do this is $400 which includes Happy Meals and transportation.

As I also mentioned in my last entry I want to sponsor some picnics for the folks at Boorie Ooglie so that they can get out of the institution for a day and get a decent meal and some dignity in a beautiful park setting.  The cost for one picnic is $450 which includes food and transportation, and as I mentioned last time I would like to sponsor 4 picnics for different groups from the home.

If you would like to help me to pull off these activities or to help with my ongoing support please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me.  You can also arrange a monthly sponsorship.  Canadian donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts towards showing love to those who really need it.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.
Lwr. Sackville, NS
Canada B4E 2H5

Another shot of last year's picnic for the Boorie Ooglie folks

While at McDonald's we like to play games with the kids to spend quality time with them.

These kids are truly thankful to have this opportunity.

Projects for Future

This past week has been a fairly quiet one.  In 3 weeks I’ll be back in Ukraine, and with the freezing temperatures here this long weekend I am even more anxious to get there.

On Thursday I helped out at another senior’s luncheon at Full Gospel Church which was a lot of fun.  Then on Friday I went to a ground breaking ceremony at my church to launch the building of our new Family Life Centre which will provide much needed space for banquets, sports and our various church activities.  It’s quite a project.

Speaking of projects, I have also been thinking ahead about what kind of projects I would like to do once I get back to Ukraine and to Kyrgyzstan in September.  I really could use some help in order to pull them off.  Here is what I’d like to do.

You will remember from my past blogs about the home at Boorie Ooglie for the mentally and physically disabled.  For those that don’t, Boorie Ooglie (which means brown coal) is a facility that is very run down and the residents are pretty much ignored by society in general.  They are not given a whole lot of dignity let alone any luxuries – luxuries like a decent meal.  Just don’t get me started about the quality of the meals there – I won’t be able to stop.

You may also remember from last summer’s blogs about my camping trip where we hosted a picnic for some of the Boorie Ooglie folks.  We went the night before to the park to set things up and then hosted a day of swimming and a picnic for them the next day.   I would like to sponsor at least one of these picnics so that the residents can get out of that facility for the day and enjoy a park setting, get a decent meal and get some dignity that they sooooo deserve.

They like to have 3 or 4 of these picnics each summer for different groups from the home.  The cost to sponsor one picnic is approximately $450.  I would really like to be able to sponsor 4 picnics.

I would also like to take the kids from the Rehab Centre to McDonald’s again.  To refresh your memory, the kids Rehab Centre is for children who have at least one parent with drug or alcohol problems which makes for a horrible home life.  The kids are taken to the centre for a 9 month programme where they are shown a lot of love and support to help them cope with their lives.  Unfortunately some kids will not be able to go back to their homes and will be transferred to an orphanage.

Other than McJoyful Christmas these kids do not get the chance to go to McDonald’s and it is a huge thing for them.  It costs approximately $200 to take 25 kids, which includes transportation and a Happy Meal.  This year I think there are around 50 kids at the centre so that would be $400 to sponsor.

I have also got some projects in mind to do in Kyrgyzstan but I will wait and mention those later this summer.

If you would like to help me pull off these projects or to help with my ongoing support please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me.  You can also arrange a monthly sponsorship.  Canadian donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.

Lwr. Sackville, NS

Canada B4E 2H5

Some of the folks of Boorie Ooglie.  Yes, that's a cage this group is kept in during the day.  Don't get me started on THAT either.

More Boorie Ooglie folks and me

My friend Yura (2nd from right) and some Boorie Ooglie folks

One of the picnics from last summer

Some of the Rehab Centre kids at McDonald's last summer.  Often they don't have much reason to smile.

This is what my church in Canada looks like now

This is what it will look like in a few months

Happy Mother’s Day!!

This past was a quiet week that involved more of me biding my time until I get back to Ukraine.  In just under 4 weeks I’ll be back in Krivoy Rog.  I’m so anxious to get back and I’m looking forward to some warm weather to say the least.

On Friday I went to a fund raising concert for World Vision.  As my ride had to be at the church early I ended up volunteering at the concert.  It was a great time and it ended up that I got some blessings too.

If you would like to donate to enable me to bless and to show love to those who need to see God’s love in action when I get back to Ukraine please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me.  You can also arrange a monthly sponsorship.  Canadian donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts towards showing love to those that need to see love in action. 

As I am very blessed to have a lot of mothers in my life I would like to wish them all a very happy Mother’s Day. 

Again, thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.

Lower Sackville, NS 

Canada B4E 2H5

  

Volunteering at the World Vision concert

More volunteers

Jason Gray

Shane Claiborne

Yes, there was a yurt set up in downtown Halifax this weekend.  It was for a fair trade bazaar.

One of the vendors was selling shyrdaks from Kyrgyzstan.  A shyrdak is a traditional felt rug.

Today’s News

Today (Saturday) was a busy day.  This morning our team from church that’s going to Kyrgyzstan in September helped out at a bowling event for Special Olympics serving lunch to the participants.  It was great to spend time with the participants as well have time with the whole team together.  They are a great bunch and I’m really looking forward to seeing them in Tokmok.

Then tonight I went to a gospel concert at Cornwallis Street Baptist, which is my former home church from way back.  My best friend Thane helped to organize a concert of all of the men’s groups from various churches as a fund raiser for building onto the church there.  It was so nice to see some folks that I haven’t seen in a lot of years.  They were so excited to find out about me doing long term missions.  Some of them even told me that they knew even then (when I went to that church over 18 years ago) that I was going to be doing something like this.  It kind of strikes me funny that they knew long before I did.

Other than that I have been chomping at the bit to get back to Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.  I know the next 5 weeks will go fast but right now it seems an eternity.  If you would like to donate to help me to sponsor activities and to show love to those who need to see God’s love in action when I get back please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me.  You can also arrange a monthly sponsorship.  Canadian donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts towards showing love to those that need to see love in action.

As it is Orthodox Easter, I would like to wish all of my friends in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan Happy Easter!! 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.

Lwr. Sackville, NS

Canada B4E 2H5

Go Team Kyrgyzstan

Special Olympics bowling

Gospel concert at Cornwallis Street Baptist

Sharing

This is a little update of what I’ve been doing lately here in Canada.  Since I came back I’ve been helping out in the Sunday school at my church.  The class that they assigned me to is the same group of kids I had in the nursery 2 years ago so it has been really nice to work (okay…play) with them again and to see how much they’ve grown.

Today was a special day where I had the chance to share with the whole Sunday school about my life in Kyrgyzstan.  It was sooo much fun.  I was amazed at how quiet the kids got when I was telling them my stories.  Anyone who’s worked with kids will know how hard it is to keep their attention most of the time.  And yes, the silly hat made another appearance.

Other than that I have been getting things ready to go back to Ukraine in just under 6 weeks.  Wow, time is flying by again.  I still have some dates available in May if you would like me to come to your church, your community group, or to have coffee with you and your friends.  I would be happy to share my experiences with you.

I’m also still working on getting some resources so that I’m able to do some projects and activities when I get back, as well as get a new computer that’s reliable.  But I think that should all work out.  If you would like to help me out in any way to do this please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me.  You can also arrange a monthly sponsorship.  Canadian donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts towards showing love to those that need to see love in action. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.

Lower Sackville, NS

Canada B4E 2H5

Pastor Julia and I

You'll notice a little yurt on the stand behind me.

Just a Few Photos

I haven't been doing a whole lot new lately to tell you about so here's a few random photos for you.

Thank you to those who gave me craft supplies and those who gave money from which I bought the rest.

Michael wanted in on the picture too.

My Ukrainian friends will recognize some of the names on this monument.  It's the Welsford-Parker Monument in Halifax that commemorates 2 local men who died in the Crimean War.  It's the oldest war monument in Canada and the only monument to the Crimean War in North America.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsford-Parker_Monument

If you would like to help in any way to enable me to show love to those who need it when I go back to Ukraine in June, please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me.  You can also arrange a monthly sponsorship.  Canadian donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts towards showing love to those that need to see love in action.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support and thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.

Lower Sackville, NS

Canada B4E 2H5

Happy Easter!!

Well it’s been a few weeks so I thought it is time for a quick update.  For the first couple of weeks after I came to Canada I just took it easy and didn’t do a whole lot while I caught up with myself.  I’m still suffering from acute sticker shock at the supermarket, the gas station and with the cell phone costs among other things.  I continue spending time with (spoiling rotten) my 1½ year old great-niece and 4 year old great-nephew and reconnecting with family and friends.  I have also been getting some personal things caught up as well as jumping back into church activities.  Recently I helped a friend with a senior’s luncheon at Full Gospel Church where I got to meet some great folks and to see some who I haven’t seen in a long time.  Last weekend I went to the Jesus to the Nations missions conference where I got to hear of many great things going on around the world.  http://www.jesustothenations.com/home/  

I am so excited that my church is sending a team to Kyrgyzstan in September and will be helping them out wherever I can.   It’s going to be a great trip.  I am also making my plans to return to Ukraine the first week of June, as well as to Kyrgyzstan in September.  That’s basically the nutshell version of my activities up to now.  If anyone in the Halifax area is interested I am still available to come visit your church, your club or community group, or to come have coffee to share my experiences of “life on the road.”

I’m also looking for fund raising opportunities.  My computer is running (thanks Mo) but is about to go again at any moment so I need to get a new and trustworthy one with an up to date Office program (I’m still using Word 2002) before I go back.  I also want to get some things like craft supplies as well as raise funds so that I can sponsor some activities and needs when I get there.

If you would like to help in any way to enable me to show love to those who need it please click the donations link at the right side of the blog for LinK 127 to donate on line.  (You may also notice that I put a new link there for my You Tube page.)  You can also mail a donation to the address below.  Please remember to specify that your donation is for me.  You can also arrange a monthly sponsorship.  Canadian donations are tax deductible and every dollar counts towards showing love to those that need to see love in action.

I ask for your continued prayers and support and I thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time… Я люблю тебя!  Have a great Easter!!

LinK 127

34 Wynn Castle Dr.

Lower Sackville, NS

Canada B4E 2H5

At the Jesus to the Nations conference.  Pastor Lennett is so passionate...even here when doing the announcements.

The local and the Ukraine crowd will recognize Pastor Bill Wozney.

 A great short-term missions ministry

One of the keynote speakers Simon Guillebaud

Fraser Campbell with Chelsea (Nesbitt) Amber