Queuing
October 23, 2010
Another great post by Liz Hulley — with comments from her blog.
I was very amused that my automatic Russian-English dictionary correctly translated the title of this post when my mouse hovered over it. The dictionary is rather incomplete and sometime supplies the wrong contextual definition, or it recognizes only the lexical form and won’t translate if word appears in a different form. It had no problem with “queuing,” so I suppose the concept must be an important one in the Russian language.
While traveling in foreign countries, I can sometimes be quite good at blending in. But while I can skillfully hide certain American mannerisms, I’m not so willing to take on the customs of the new culture. There are certain Russian customs that I simply ignore and hope that no one will notice.
One of them is the “waiting in line” conversation. If anyone asks me, I try to be accommodating, but I refuse to initiate a discussion about who’s last in line. It’s just too strange. Here’s a typical dialogue:
“Who’s last in line here?”
“I am.”
“Then I’m after you.”
This is a perfectly normal conversation occurring in Russia. The question I have as a foreigner is, why on earth do they have to discuss it? Everyone knows that if you want to stand in line, you simply go to the end, stand behind the last person, and keep standing behind them until it’s your turn. If you step out of line early, because you forgot something, you go back to the end and begin again.
When we learned line etiquette in Russian class, we were all quite shocked. How could there be different sets of rules for standing in line? Isn’t it common sense? Read more
Elama — Before and After
October 20, 2010
Camp Elama, a program of MIR, has been working for three summers. Below are some pictures of the progress made — from being some abandoned buidings to being a camp that is full of life. You can read more about Elama here and here.
Prayer Requests from Spring of Revival
October 10, 2010
Prayer and projects needs, From Olga Goncharenko —
Please pray for our worker Masha. She is going to have a baby in October, so we ask for God’s hand on her and her family.
Pray for MFH girls, for their spiritual growth and unity, for them to be closer to Jesus.
Pray for us to start MFH for boys. For God’s timing and provision. It’s a dream now.
Pray and donate for Christmas gifts for orphans. We start working on Christmas projects now and we want to be able to bring about 200 Christmas gifts or more to the orphans and poor, unprivilleged children.
In Christ,
Olga Goncharenko
Baptisms in Belarus
October 10, 2010
News from the Minsk Family Home
We are very glad that two of our girls: Masha and Katya have made a covenant with the Lord by being water baptized. It’s a very big step and they took it very seriously. We pray for them as they continue their walk with the Lord and looking for opportunities to help in the ministry. Also, Masha is attending a three month evening Bible school now.
All the girls have started studies at their colleges and Universities after summer break and they are doing well.
The Promise of a New Life
October 9, 2010
From Executive Director Mike Cantrell:
Olga and I are happily back home in Russia after our time in Estonia and Finland.
Each month, MIR hosts a prayer meeting (above) attended by people who give their lives in Christian ministry. It was great to attend after missing the past few meetings. MIR is facing some challenges just now, so your prayers are appreciated. A friend once told me that choosing a life of ministry means choosing a life of poverty. There’s truth in this.
These saints do not pursue worldly wealth and achievement. Rather, they lay down their lives in service: blessing orphans, printing Christian literature, helping local churches, managing humanitarian projects, providing godly counsel, fixing computers, ministering to college students, and more — all because of their reverence for Christ. It’s an honor to serve with these friends.
Now, from Olga: This year’s Fall has been especially beautiful. I don’t remember such a glorious October as we are having now. And even though Autumn means that nature is falling asleep, it holds a promise of new life in it. And for me that is what I feel. There is a promise of new life. God has something in store for us. And not only for us, but all of His children. His plans are good, His plans have a future. We may not understand this, we may not see it now, but He does.
Birthdays And Clowns
October 3, 2010
Another great update from Olga Goncharenko in Belarus…
It has been a big part of our ministry to bring clowns and it was one of the ways how we could get into the orphanages in the first place. Now the team is bigger and even MFH girls like to participate. Our clowns bring joy and Jesus, run Birthday parties, give gifts and share cakes and sweets.
Here you see a birthday party that took place in Stankovo shelter in September.
Everyone enjoyed it.
There were 11 birthday kids and they got nice, but very practical gifts such as pijamas, shirts, hats and gloves, and of course, some toys.
Stankovo Camp Reunion
October 3, 2010
Olga Goncharenko in Belarus sends this update…
Now as summer is over and they are back to the orphanage it was great to see them again and remember all the wonderful times at camp.
Here is the picture of a group of boys from Stankovo that went to a Christian camp with us in June.
Zhenya is an orphan, who is very talented.
He is at artist and started to attend an art school in town.
They find him very gifted.
We have helped him financially to get the necessary art supplies so he can attend the school.
