Ukraine's Holodomor

Today is the official day of remembrance for Ukraine's genocide victims.  The great famine of 1932-33 was actually a man made famine in which 2.5 to 7.5 million people died.  (Hard to give exact figures because of lack of records and intentional misinformation.)

Here's a video clip that shows what happened:

Scenes From A Mashrutka

Thanksgiving is not celebrated here in Ukraine, so it is a normal working day.  I was at our Day Center yesterday and since the sun finally decided to make an appearance after days of cloud cover, I took these photos as I rode home on the Mashrutka.

Happy Thanksgiving!

"A thankful mind set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems.  Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations." - Sarah Young - "Jesus Calling"

"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."......John 3:2  (NKJV)

Be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Inspiring!

Baseball Camp Report

Here's some photos to sum up our baseball camp we held at an orphanage outside of Kyiv during fall break.  

We had some snow, sleet and rain so some of the practices were held in the gym. 

Learning about the on deck circle for the first time.

Baseball theory talk abounded.  This conversation took place at the kitchen table using candy and cookies.

A sign made to thank our sponsors.

Warming up for the tournament that was held the last day of camp.

Our fans!

After the game we gave out awards to players.

Our group photo!

An Ukrainian Wedding!

My friend and ministry colleague Alonya got married last month and asked me to take photos of the big day.  I thought I would share some of them with you so you can see what an Ukrainian wedding is like.  

An Ukrainian wedding consists of a civil ceremony at a local government registry.  They are set up for weddings and they are purely legal ceremonies.  No romance or frills.  Christian couples usually have a church wedding after this ceremony.  Alonya and her groom choose to have the civil ceremony in the morning and then have the church ceremony in the afternoon.  Everyone meets at the office and hangs around outside until they let the wedding party enter.

Inside there is more waiting around.

Then we were ushered into the formal waiting room where photos are taken of the wedding party.  I love this photo because it has such a retro soviet feel to it.

The ceremony is brief and then there are tons of documents for the bride and groom to sign.  Ukraine loves it's documents. 

Then we headed to a park outside of Kyiv to take photos.

Those who were attending the church wedding waited for the couple.

 

They finally arrived!

 

Their first official step together as man and wife.

Meanwhile, tons of food awaited on groaning tables nearby.

They spent a lot of time posting with friends and family.  Here's a family from our Day Center.

 

Many blessings to this new family!

Weekend Update

Here are a couple of videos from our baseball practice at an orphanage in Chernobyl.

It is 1 C here and the first reported snow in Ukraine this year is falling today in Lutsk.

It's overcast and cold so I am doing the "seasonal clothes swap" and digging out my winter clothes, checking for gloves and scarves.

Enjoy!