If You're In The Area...

Every year Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax hosts the Jesus to the Nations Missions conference.  This year it will be held next weekend (March 27th to 29th) and promises to be an amazing weekend.  If you're in the Halifax area it would be great if you dropped by.  For more information about the conference you can visit the Jesus to the Nations web site at http://jesustothenations.com

If you come on Saturday March 28th I will be in the display area and would love to see you and to share about my work in Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.  I'll be either wandering around the displays or at the Go Missions table.  Please stop by and say hello.

It Seems So Long Ago But It's Still Fresh

Yesterday was a bit emotional for me but I wanted to share a few thoughts.

As I watched the memorial service from Kyiv of the 1st anniversary of the 1st victims of the revolution, who are now known as the Heavenly Hundred, I couldn't help but to think back, the brooding person that I am.  It was one year ago on January 30th that I stopped by Independence Square in Kyiv to see what was going on with the Maidan protests before boarding a flight back to Canada.  You can read more what I wrote at that time and see photos here http://blairs-page.blogspot.ca/2014/02/the-revolution-in-kyiv.html  I vividly remember the sights, the smells and how surreal it felt to be there.

Little did I or anyone else know at the time how bad it would get just a few weeks later.  As it was, I was on Hrushevskova Street just a few metres from the spot where only one week prior the very 1st deaths occurred.  When standing on the barricade I was speaking to a man and I'll never forget how his face lit up when he found out I was from Canada and how he thanked me for being there.  I now wonder that when I was there if I may have rubbed shoulders with anyone who is now gone.  Please forgive me if I sound morbid.

After I got back to Canada I remember the horrible feeling watching the live feeds when everything did get worse between February 18th and 20th.  I found out that 2 of my friends were on the square when it was all happening and I felt so helpless watching it all knowing they were there.  My friends are okay but they, like all Ukrainians and myself, are forever changed.  I won't go into a description of the events that continue in Ukraine.  I'll leave that to the media.

People say to me that I'm better off here.  All I know is that I want to get back to Ukraine to pick up in my work there.  Ukraine as well as Kyrgyzstan has become my home and that's where my heart is.  The russian terrorism has not come to Krivoy Rog and if anything there is even more work to do because refugees have come to live there as well as children orphaned by the war.  They have lost everything and need to rebuild their lives from scratch.  Most escaped with just what they could carry and they need a lot of support.  I pray that I can get back soon.

Please keep Ukraine in your prayers.  Please also keep me in your prayers that doors will open up.

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

I took this photo standing very near where things got bad between February 18th and 20th

I'm standing on the barricade at Hrushevskova Street.  I still had the smell from the burning tires on my clothes when I got back to Halifax 2 days later.

An Update From Me

It's been a few months since I posted a blog entry so I thought I'd give a quick update on myself for those of you who've been asking.  Since returning to Canada almost a year ago I've managed to keep busy with various activities including the blanket project for Kyrgyzstan and getting the kids from the Rehab Centre in Ukraine on an outing to a movie and McDonald's.  You can see more in my previous blog entries about these.

In July I had surgery to remove all of the metal from my elbow and ankle and it went really well.  I will no longer be setting off all of the metal detectors at the airports.  I am no longer able to straighten my arm completely but I can function normally.  I just have to remember that I can't reach as far as I used to when I go to grab something.  However, the physiotherapist thinks it might come back with time.

Even though I've had a lot of down time this past year I was still able to serve in various ways.  I was able to help at several World Vision events to get some children sponsored around the world.  I also helped out at several banquets with a friend at Full Gospel Church.  I have been working part time in one job which pays the rent and a bus pass each month as well as being a casual at another job.

This past year I have also gone through several difficult situations which I won't get into here but I survived them.  Even though things aren't where I'd like them to be right now I'm believing for things to get back on track and getting back to Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan this year.  I really miss being "home" and doing my serving there.

In order to return to life on the road I need to find funding including monthly sponsors.  Once that happens I can just zip up my suitcase and go.  If you would like to help me to get back to showing a father's love to those who need to see it just click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of this page for several giving options.  Every dollar counts and will mean a lot to so many people.  Will you please consider helping out?

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

An Update From Ukraine

You may remember in June, after I finished fund raising for blankets for the Kemin Seniors Home in Kyrgyzstan, that I mentioned that I had enough money left over to pay for another McDonald's and movie day for the kids at the Rehab Centre in Ukraine.  I am so happy that this past Saturday (September 6th) the kids were finally able to go.

Just a bit of refresher:  Going to McDonald's in Ukraine is a HUGE deal for anyone, let alone orphaned children who have very little in their lives, and people will often dress up just to go there.  In North America we take for granted going to McDonald's several times a week, but children like the kids at the Rehab Centre might get there two or three times a year - one of those times during McJoyful Christmas.

The last couple of years I have arranged for the kids to go in the summer so they wouldn't have to wait so long between McJoyfuls.  The manager of the movie theatre upstairs from the restaurant gives free admission to the kids and we combine it so that the kids can have dinner and a show, that they can have a great time away from the centre for a few hours.  This year as I was not able to be there in person I forwarded the extra funds raised from the blanket project and my friends in Ukraine did all of the rest.

The kids had a great day filled with games, the movie and, of course, Happy Meals.  A big THANK YOU to all of those that helped to pull it off.  Thank you also to those of you who gave to make this day possible.  Check out the photos below.

In other news my arm and ankle continue to do really well.  I am also still praying for financial miracles so that I can return to Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine soon.  Would you like to partner with me to show God's love to those that need to see it?  If so, you can help by clicking the "donate now" 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 options to help.  Whatever you can help with will be appreciated by so many people.  Thank you so much.

Please continue to pray that the russian terrorism will be stopped in Ukraine and that there will be peace there soon.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time...я люблю вас!!

Games in the theatre lobby with some costumed guests.

The movie they saw was "Planes"

More games at the restaurant

For kids that often don't have much to smile about, it was smiles all around.

Speaking of smiles...I still get a kick out of the russian smiles they put on for the camera.  These boys really were having a good day.

Yura is not ALWAYS behind the camera

Lena was having a great time too.

For the kids that couldn't get to the movie a special delivery was made to the Rehab Centre.

A VERY happy bunch of kids.

Giving Warmth and Dignity

Two years ago last spring the director of the seniors home in Kemin, Kyrgyzstan was sharing needs and asked if I could help to buy blankets for the home.  With winter just barely over she was already thinking ahead to the next winter.  As I've mentioned before a Kyrgyzstan winter can get as low as -35C (-31F) and keeping warm is literally the difference between life and death.

I am so happy that new blankets were delivered to the home recently and the residents were all so happy to receive them.  Thank you so much to those of you who gave towards buying these blankets which are actually more like comforters.  Not only do the seniors, who have very little, get to stay warm this winter they also have the dignity of getting into a nice bed at the end of the day.  This has also helped to support the family of the lady who makes the blankets locally.  A special thank you to my friend Sergey, who made the arrangements to order and deliver the blankets, and everyone else who helped out.

Now that the blankets are delivered it's time to think about buying coal for those who can't afford to.  Before we know it the snow will be getting lower on the mountains and into the valley and many will worry how they will keep warm this winter.  If you would like to help to spread some more life saving warmth please let me know.

For those of you who've asked, my arm and ankle have been doing very well since the operation.  My movement is so much better and the physiotherapist is amazed at my progress so far.  I still hope to return to Kyrgyzstan in late September and then Ukraine in November.  I am also still praying for financial miracles or I won't be able to go.

Would you like to partner with me so that I can return to show a father's love to those that need to see it?  If you would, please click the "donate now" button on the right side of the blog to give on line.  For other giving options please click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of this page.  Every dollar will be appreciated by so many.  Thank you so much.

Please continue to pray for Ukraine.  As I always say:  thank you for seeing my heart.  Till next time - я дюбдю вас!!

Aiguila (pronounced eye goo' la) who made the blankets, and Sergey

Tanya, the director of the home, is standing beside Sergey.

You can't tell in the photo but the side facing the camera is a light-weight velour and the back is a t-shirt cotton.  These blankets are not only beautiful but they are sooooo comfortable.

I love seeing those smiles.

August 24th is Independence Day in Ukraine.  Please pray that the russian terrorism will be stopped and that Ukraine will have peace.

Has Anything Really Changed?

Today as I watched the commemoration ceremonies of the 100th anniversary of the start of WW I, I remembered a letter that was written by my great great grandmother to one of her daughters on June 19, 1914.  Here is a part of that letter.

" I feel sometimes as if this world was not my home but I do look forward to that rest that is prepared for the people of God.  There is so many changes in this world and they are not all for the better."

I have often wondered what she would have thought of the state of the world the following month.  Just 9 days after she wrote this Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo starting the ball in motion for World War I.

Today 100 years later as the russian terrorism continues in Ukraine's eastern border region I can't help but wonder if history is repeating itself.  I pray that it isn't and that Ukraine will have total peace soon.  Glory to Ukraine!!

William and Rebecca (Christopher) Parker - my great great grandparents.  Rebecca wrote the letter.

New Ukraine

What Will Happen Next?

This past Wednesday (July 9th) I finally had the surgery to remove the metal from my ankle and elbow.  Everything went really well and I immediately noticed a difference in my movement.  I pray that I'll get full movement in my arm once the bandages and the stitches are gone.  Thank you to all of you who sent notes of encouragement and for your prayers.  A special thank you to everyone who helped out with all of the logistics of getting me back and forth to the hospital in Windsor.

I have placed the order for new blankets for the Kemin Senior's Home in Kyrgyzstan.  I'll post an update once they are delivered later this summer.  Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen.  I'm very happy that this will give the seniors some dignity and warmth this winter as well as helping to support the family of the lady who makes the blankets.

So now...what next?  Well, even though everything is still up in the air about whether or not I can go back on the road, by faith I rebooked the ticket that I have to leave Halifax on September 23rd.  However, I need to get a lot in place before then or I won't be able to go at all.  I'm praying for some financial miracles.

If you would like to partner with me so that I can show God's love to those who need to see it you can click the "donate now" button on the right of this blog, or you can click the "ways to donate" tab at the top of the page for other options.  Me and many others will be happy to have you along side.

If you would like me to come to your church, your club, or to have coffee with you and some friends to share my stories from Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, I'd be happy to see you.  Just drop me a line and we can make arrangements. 

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

Blankets and Burgers

This past Saturday I was able to share some of my stories from Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine with the seniors of the Rock Church Prime Life group and the Young at Heart group from Faith Baptist.  It was a great day.  Thank you to all who came out and for your encouragement and support.  I am so blessed to have had this opportunity.

If you would like me to come to your church, your community club, or even have coffee with you and your friends this summer, I would be happy to come and share my stories.  Just drop me a line and we can make arrangements.

I am so happy as I now have the remaining blankets for the Kemin Seniors Home in Kyrgyzstan paid for.  Thank you so much to those of you who gave.  I will be putting in the order soon so that the blankets will be delivered later this summer.  I also have enough left over to pay for another McDonald's and movie day for the kids at the Rehab Centre in Ukraine this summer.  I only wish I could be there to share it with them but oh well.  I will return when everything works out.

I still hope to go back on the road in September if I can pull the necessary resources together.  If you would like to partner with me in showing God's love to those who need to see it please click the "donate now" button on 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.  Every dollar counts and it will be appreciated by so many.  Thank you so much for your continued support.

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

Happy Fathers Day!!

This past week as we've been getting closer to Fathers Day I've been thinking a lot about wanting to get back "on the road" sharing the Father's love to those who don't have fathers to spend quality time with them.  I'm really anxious to get back and I miss everyone so much.  Right now my hope is to get things together so that I can leave in September.  For those who've asked, I finally got my surgery date to remove the metal from my elbow and ankle - July 9th.  I am so looking forward to having the mobility back in my arm again.

I am still raising funds to purchase blankets for the Kemin Seniors Home in Kyrgyzstan that I mentioned in my last blog entry.  Right now I still need to get 13 blankets paid for and then I can put the order in.  If you would like to help out each blanket is $25 (Cdn).  Please use the donation button at the right side of the blog to give a gift on line.  You can see other giving options by clicking the "ways to donate" tab at the top of this page.  Please remember to include a message advising that your gift is for blankets.  This will not only help to keep some seniors warm this winter but it will also help to support a family's livelihood in Kyrgyzstan.

Next weekend (Saturday June 21st) I will be sharing some of my stories and photos from Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan at the Prime Life Senior's luncheon at Rock Church 222 Sackville Drive in Lower Sackville.  If you're in the Halifax area I would be honoured to have you come by.  To reserve a place just contact the church office this week at 864-3553 or rockchurch@rockchurch.ca.  Tickets are $5 for the meal and it starts at 12 noon.

Please continue to keep me in  your prayers.  Thank you for seeing my heart.  Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers and the fathers at heart out there!!  Till next time...я люблю вас!!

Even though I'm not a father by blood I love all of the kids like they are my own.  I can't wait to see them again.

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.