We are pleased to announce that our FOMCU board has agreed to our choice of a Ukrainian Manager for the Mennonite Centre in Molochansk.
He is Vecheslav (Slava) Ivanovich Kupriyanov.
Slava recently graduated from Odessa Baptist Seminary and will continue his studies in law by extention. He completed his undergraduate degree in Law earlier.
July 1st will be Slava and Natasha's 1st wedding anniversary.
Slava's English is good, his computer skills more than adequate and from our observations so far, we believe he will learn his responsibilities quickly as Manager of MC. He is a good communicator with the staff. He has declared himself willing to learn and endorse the aim and purpose of this work, including communicating regularly with the chairperson of FOMCU.
We have introduced him to directors of institutions in town and even immersed him in some Mennonite history by touring him through the northern Molochna villages.
Natasha and Slava share our committment to faith and are eager to participate in the worship and service of Kutuzovka Mennonite Church.
Slava, Natasha and all of us connected to MC appreciate your prayers and continued support of the work of FOMCU.
We leave July 4th, flying via Vienna and Toronto, arriving in Kelowna July 6th.
It has been our privilege to work here these past 7 weeks.
Peace to you, Peggy and Al
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
rarely a dull moment at Menn Centre
"A welcome break of cooler breezes and even some much-needed rain has brought relief from the intense heat and humidity" That was true June 19. Today it is still HOT.
My plans for pictures on the blog just haven't worked out since my camera battery has died and no replacement can be found, or so it seems. SO please use your imagination.
Each morning this past week young children arrived at the Centre to catch their bus ride to Kutuzovka church. They have enjoyed Day Camp with a cowboy theme. Heidi Koop, our intern student from CMU, dressed in her cowgirl togs enthusiastically joined the other leaders as they cooperated to give these children a wonderful camp experience.
Tuesdays and Fridays seniors arrive by mid-morning to visit outside on the benches or inside with Olga and the other staff - who engage in friendly conversation with the guests- as they wait for their "pensioner's lunch". Friday a grateful babushka, Tamara, gave us a letter of thanks for the lunches she has been receiving to supplement her grandson's diet. He has had diabetes from age 9. Now at 18 he has just returned from Berdyansk where he completed a course as a TV technician. He can only hope for a job to open up in Molochansk. The bag lunch is a welcome help. Our staff prepares a number of lunches for shut-ins as well.
A request for help to fund repairs to the public library resulted in a short walk down the street to view the deplorable conditions. Ceiling falling down, mildew on the walls, broken radiators -all the result of no repairs for 20 years, no heat for the last 8. The 2 librarians, Ludmilla (adult's) and Tetiana (childrens') serve the community M-F (10-7) as best they can in spite of these conditions. Their question- please can you help?
What fun it was to deliver "baby bouncers" to the Tokmak children's hospital, to 2 Kindergartens and to our Mom's group here at M.C. Thanks to 1st Presbyterian of Hutchison, Kansas for choosing this as a Mission's group project. They have chosen to honour their "newest" members by giving little ones in Ukraine a gift. It is appreciated here.
Daily tasks and opportunities have energized us as we continue to serve all ages in this community.
Thank you for donations to FOMCU.
Blessings with joy, Peggy and Al
p.s. stay tuned for the big announcement!
My plans for pictures on the blog just haven't worked out since my camera battery has died and no replacement can be found, or so it seems. SO please use your imagination.
Each morning this past week young children arrived at the Centre to catch their bus ride to Kutuzovka church. They have enjoyed Day Camp with a cowboy theme. Heidi Koop, our intern student from CMU, dressed in her cowgirl togs enthusiastically joined the other leaders as they cooperated to give these children a wonderful camp experience.
Tuesdays and Fridays seniors arrive by mid-morning to visit outside on the benches or inside with Olga and the other staff - who engage in friendly conversation with the guests- as they wait for their "pensioner's lunch". Friday a grateful babushka, Tamara, gave us a letter of thanks for the lunches she has been receiving to supplement her grandson's diet. He has had diabetes from age 9. Now at 18 he has just returned from Berdyansk where he completed a course as a TV technician. He can only hope for a job to open up in Molochansk. The bag lunch is a welcome help. Our staff prepares a number of lunches for shut-ins as well.
A request for help to fund repairs to the public library resulted in a short walk down the street to view the deplorable conditions. Ceiling falling down, mildew on the walls, broken radiators -all the result of no repairs for 20 years, no heat for the last 8. The 2 librarians, Ludmilla (adult's) and Tetiana (childrens') serve the community M-F (10-7) as best they can in spite of these conditions. Their question- please can you help?
What fun it was to deliver "baby bouncers" to the Tokmak children's hospital, to 2 Kindergartens and to our Mom's group here at M.C. Thanks to 1st Presbyterian of Hutchison, Kansas for choosing this as a Mission's group project. They have chosen to honour their "newest" members by giving little ones in Ukraine a gift. It is appreciated here.
Daily tasks and opportunities have energized us as we continue to serve all ages in this community.
Thank you for donations to FOMCU.
Blessings with joy, Peggy and Al
p.s. stay tuned for the big announcement!
Monday, June 11, 2007
"a bowl of cherries"
Cherry season is in full swing. Small fruit, sweet and tasty, we are presented with bags and even buckets full!
Sidewalks stained with overripe, fallen mulberries remind us of the former silkworm industry.
On nearly every street in town we see former Mennonite buildings. We stop to stare and a helpful passerby assures us "yes that was a 'nemetsky' (German) structure". To think that our great grandparents walked these streets, worked in these factories, planted, harvested, contibuted to the society and worshipped here continues to give us a sense of being "at home". Much is still not well in the present day Ukraine: lack of water in many homes, potholes everywhere, manhole covers still disappear, over-flowing trash receptacles, poverty continues, especially among the elderly. Hope continues too-- natural gas has come to town. Bright yellow overland pipes indicate those homes that are scrimping and saving to "connect".
People face challenges, as we heard again today. Nina(on a fixed pension), from Kutuzovla church has just paid for the appendix surgery and medications for her 14 year old grandson. Her savings are depleted, she has already borrowed and needs more. We can help some.
Our day to day work involves requests: partner with the local Kindergarten in doing some much needed repairs, aid a school with their museum project, support the Lab at the hospital with necessary chemicals for analysis, help the Orphanage send its swim team to the Special Olympics. We are grateful for the FOMCU board who give direction in decision-making.
The Respite rooms at the hospital continue to serve the patients with food and medications paid for by MC. Our worker, Valya cooks and does laundry for this much appreciated service.
Success in our task:
With anticipation we await the arrival of our newly hired administrator, Slava Kuprianov and his wife Natasha. He recently graduated from Odessa Baptist Seminary and will continue his Law studies as an off campus student. They plan to move here June 20th. We will give him initial training, but he will continue learning on the job with our bookkeeper and the staff.
Your prayers and support are essential. Thank you .
Al and Peggy
Sidewalks stained with overripe, fallen mulberries remind us of the former silkworm industry.
On nearly every street in town we see former Mennonite buildings. We stop to stare and a helpful passerby assures us "yes that was a 'nemetsky' (German) structure". To think that our great grandparents walked these streets, worked in these factories, planted, harvested, contibuted to the society and worshipped here continues to give us a sense of being "at home". Much is still not well in the present day Ukraine: lack of water in many homes, potholes everywhere, manhole covers still disappear, over-flowing trash receptacles, poverty continues, especially among the elderly. Hope continues too-- natural gas has come to town. Bright yellow overland pipes indicate those homes that are scrimping and saving to "connect".
People face challenges, as we heard again today. Nina(on a fixed pension), from Kutuzovla church has just paid for the appendix surgery and medications for her 14 year old grandson. Her savings are depleted, she has already borrowed and needs more. We can help some.
Our day to day work involves requests: partner with the local Kindergarten in doing some much needed repairs, aid a school with their museum project, support the Lab at the hospital with necessary chemicals for analysis, help the Orphanage send its swim team to the Special Olympics. We are grateful for the FOMCU board who give direction in decision-making.
The Respite rooms at the hospital continue to serve the patients with food and medications paid for by MC. Our worker, Valya cooks and does laundry for this much appreciated service.
Success in our task:
With anticipation we await the arrival of our newly hired administrator, Slava Kuprianov and his wife Natasha. He recently graduated from Odessa Baptist Seminary and will continue his Law studies as an off campus student. They plan to move here June 20th. We will give him initial training, but he will continue learning on the job with our bookkeeper and the staff.
Your prayers and support are essential. Thank you .
Al and Peggy
Monday, June 4, 2007
Gates, doors, portals, paths
Our re-entry into Molochansk and the Mennonite Centre went smoothly, thanks to Rudy and Hildegarde Baerg. We shared 13 significant days getting "up to speed"on projects, with staff and community, all in the sweltering heat. (thank God for ice cream!) When they left on June 2 there were no loose ends. Thanks, Baergs!
We were invited to attend "The Last Bell" at the 2 schools in town. This year the M.C. chose to honour the grads and award winners at the Ukrainian school with small monetary gifts.
As the graduates released helium balloons, the assembled crowd felt various emotions: mothers shed tears, teachers proudly accepted flowers and thanks while all of us celebrated, as one graduating young man carried a First-grader on his shoulders as she rang "the last bell".
The stairs at the Russian school had disintegrated badly. MC paid to have them re-done. Their grads released doves to signify their "leaving" childhood and following their new paths. May each graduate find a path of opportunity that will improve their lives and build the "new" Ukraine.
Our scholarship project continues to help a number of post secondary students realize their dream for an education.
Not all doors lead to happy events. The difficulties of coping with illness and tragedy have not changed in this depressed economy.
Together with Rudy and Hildegarde and our translator, Olga, we listened to the story of a lab technician who needed emergency kidney surgery. Our FOMCU board responded swiftly allowing us to give the necessary funds.
A 25 year old man, father of a 3 year old, dove into the Molochana River and broke his neck.
We are awaiting further news as to his condition. We gave the family the money to be able to transport him to Zaporozhye for proper diagnosis and treatment.
We continue on the path of finding a suitable Ukrainian administrator: someone who will catch the vision of Mennonite Centre, lead the staff in an upright and honest manner and present projects to the N.A. board, directors and supporters. Our hope is to fulfil this task soon.
We suggest that you check www.baergsinukraine.blogspot.com to better connect with the work at MC.
Thanks for your prayers and support, Peggy and Al
We were invited to attend "The Last Bell" at the 2 schools in town. This year the M.C. chose to honour the grads and award winners at the Ukrainian school with small monetary gifts.
As the graduates released helium balloons, the assembled crowd felt various emotions: mothers shed tears, teachers proudly accepted flowers and thanks while all of us celebrated, as one graduating young man carried a First-grader on his shoulders as she rang "the last bell".
The stairs at the Russian school had disintegrated badly. MC paid to have them re-done. Their grads released doves to signify their "leaving" childhood and following their new paths. May each graduate find a path of opportunity that will improve their lives and build the "new" Ukraine.
Our scholarship project continues to help a number of post secondary students realize their dream for an education.
Not all doors lead to happy events. The difficulties of coping with illness and tragedy have not changed in this depressed economy.
Together with Rudy and Hildegarde and our translator, Olga, we listened to the story of a lab technician who needed emergency kidney surgery. Our FOMCU board responded swiftly allowing us to give the necessary funds.
A 25 year old man, father of a 3 year old, dove into the Molochana River and broke his neck.
We are awaiting further news as to his condition. We gave the family the money to be able to transport him to Zaporozhye for proper diagnosis and treatment.
We continue on the path of finding a suitable Ukrainian administrator: someone who will catch the vision of Mennonite Centre, lead the staff in an upright and honest manner and present projects to the N.A. board, directors and supporters. Our hope is to fulfil this task soon.
We suggest that you check www.baergsinukraine.blogspot.com to better connect with the work at MC.
Thanks for your prayers and support, Peggy and Al
Sunday, May 13, 2007
returning to Molochansk
Plans are progressing for us to return to the Mennonite Centre .
We will arrive there May 20 and our task is to find a suitable Ukrainian administrator to work with the staff there and assist the Canadian Directors and FOMCU Board.
Your thoughts and prayers are requested.
We will try to keep you informed as to our progress.
Al and Peggy
We will arrive there May 20 and our task is to find a suitable Ukrainian administrator to work with the staff there and assist the Canadian Directors and FOMCU Board.
Your thoughts and prayers are requested.
We will try to keep you informed as to our progress.
Al and Peggy
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