Thursday, December 22, 2005

Yarmarka

Last week things finally began to feel Christmasy at DCU, and it began with an event we hadn’t observed before, a yarmarka. It was sort of a craft fair/bake sale. We didn’t really know what to expect beforehand, but since I was feeling like I needed a boost to get into the Christmas spirit, I decided to bake some cookies. And then the next day, we baked some more. All told, I think Dave and I baked more than 100 cookies for the sale. I was a little nervous that they would think that I was crazy and trying to earn big bucks from a bake sale. But they liked my cookies, especially the gingerbread ones. My uncle and aunt, Dave and Shirl, had sent us a great package that included a gingerbread man cookie cutter, and since it was the only one I had, I went to town with gingerbread men, complete with frosting buttons and goofy smiles.

The yarmarka was quick but fun. Ukrainians do very good handiwork, so there was cross-stitching and embroidery galore. Also lots of cookies and even some Ukrainian vereniki – dumplings filled with cabbage, meat, cottage cheese or potatoes. In the center of the room, two students led children’s games and competitions, which ranged from seeing who could eat a whole lemon the fastest to racing to diaper and wrap up a baby doll in the neatest and most attractive way. (Two male DCU students competed in that contest, for the entertainment of the women and girls looking on). And then after about an hour and a half, it was over. The food was all gone, the games were finished, so we all went home. I was a little surprised that it was over so fast, but it was still a good time and was a good start to celebrating Christmas at DCU.

Laura

Monday, December 19, 2005

Basketball at the Center

At around 4 in the afternoon every Monday and Thursday I head to the Good Shepherd Center in Makeevka. It is an orphanage that currently houses 32 children, ages 5-15. Andrew Geddert (an MCC worker) was there full-time until June, but his replacement has not yet been found. He worked there full-time, and was a psychologist of sorts. I could not fill his job description, but I go there anyway. I go mainly to play basketball, but also to spend some time with the kids (and maybe give the staffers a little more peace and quiet for a few hours).

Usually 7-10 kids show up, with varying degrees of skill and motivation. It is interesting to note that the two girls who regularly show up are two of the best players there. I usually try to convince them to do some drills at the beginning but, like all the basketball players I have ever met, all they want to do is scrimmage. I also like this part of our “practices” because that is when I am able to play as well. I keep a whistle in my mouth, but I rarely blow it because it is more fun to just play, and let them play.

I have heard that Good Shepherd is one of two Christian orphanages in Ukraine (but this may not be completely accurate–my Russian is not great and I am sure it is difficult to really know all the orphanages in the country). By any means, I have thought a lot about the jobs of the people at the center. They are paid little to be everything to these 32 kids: parents, teachers, role models, friends, … And I imagine with so many kids and so few “educators” and “assistants,” they have their work cut out for them. While it sometimes seems a bit loud and unruly there, I am amazed at how well behaved the kids are. It is a really great place. I am glad to contribute the little that I do and hope to continue this throughout my time here.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Christmas Tree

Saturday Dave and I went shopping for a Christmas tree. Last year we didn’t have one and since we’ll be around Donestk for Western Christmas this year, we thought we should invest in one. We were looking for a small artificial tree, small enough to fit on our living room windowsill next to Petey and his cage. In Ukraine, it’s a little early for such activities. Though I feel like it’s time to play Christmas CDs and decorate the house, I’m in the minority. The main winter holiday celebrated here is New Years, and Christmas follows on Jan. 7, according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar. Also, although the Western glitz and commercialism is making its way here, it’s not as prominent as at home. So whereas at home by the day after Thanksgiving stores are full of Christmas products, houses and buildings are decorated with lights, and Christmas music plays on the radio, here there’s not much to indicate that Christmas is coming until later in December. Because it’s so early, real Christmas trees aren’t on sale yet. However, after searching three big stores, we found our fake tree, plus lights and decorations to go with it.
Yesterday night it was interesting to see the various reactions of our prayer group students to our decorations. Most were surprised and a little confused that we seemed to be excited about decorating so early. One student in our group wished us a Happy New Year, so it gave us the opportunity to explain that to us, the decorations were Christmas decorations, and Christmas was less than a month away. To them, they were New Years decorations, a New Years tree, etc. It’s still hard for me to grasp that holiday traditions originally associated with Christmas were transferred by the Soviets from a religious holiday (Christmas) to a secular holiday (New Years), and that they stuck, even after communism is gone. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising, Soviet cultural influences still exist here in virtually every other area of life as well.


Laura

Monday, December 05, 2005

The Bosses' Visit

Friday we were graced with a visit from our country director and regional directors. They arrived around 1:30 pm on Friday and left around 10 am Saturday. It was a quick visit, but we tried to schedule as much as we could into their time here. We had a few meetings with partners as well as some cultural activities and it seemed to go well.

The region reps are new to the position and used the trip as an opportunity to meet some of the partners and hear their stories. I went along to two of these meetings, as one was with the rector here at DCU and the other with the leaders at Good Shepherd Charitable Fund (orphanage and children's shelter); the two places that my work takes me.

Being here is sometimes very difficult and draining for me. It sometimes feels like I am not doing much and little is happening, and these are some of my most-hated feelings. Then I get the opportunity to listen to some partners talk about their vision. I hear the rector talk about the difficulties of operating a Western-style Christian university in a system unaccustomed to (and maybe even biased against) such universities. I hear the director of the orphanage talk about dealing with 30+ children, 24 hours a day for up to 17 years. Both organizations talk about how funds always seem to be severely lacking. But they don't dwell on these things; they can clearly see God at work. And it serves as an example for me to keep plugging away and have faith that, in the end, I used my time to the best of my ability.

Dave