VARIOUS ENCOUNTERS

No week is like another at the Centre. The past week started off with Dema cooking and ended with Oksana cooking for Dema.  On Monday 8 young people, representing 4 Mennonite churches, arrived from Switzerland.  They came for what had been billed as a youth camp.  In actuality this group teamed up with local young people to help with construction of the new church building.  In addition they declared themselves willing to help elderly with house and garden chores.  The kick-off - a Plov dinner at the Centre. Before the feast Dema gave the group a powerpoint lesson, familiarizing them with the Ukrainian chapter of Mennonite history.

Preparing this Uzbekian specialty dish authentically, requires a special cast iron pot which must be suspended over an open fire. The recipe includes lots of onion, carrots, chunks of pork, rice, and secret ingredients, i.e. certain spices, and several submerged heads of garlic - all cooked with water and much oil.  We were allowed to chop vegetables, however, no one but Dema gets to preside over the Plov pot.  The aroma outdoors was tantalizing and the meal a great success - feasting followed by a lively volleyball match.

One way of cleaning the picnic table before the feast begins

We frequently host visitors at the Centre.  On Wednesday a grandfather/granddaughter pair from Canada arrived with a tour guide from Odessa.  They came to explore their roots in Schönsee, the village mentioned in our previous blog.  We had met John previously; the surprise came when we noticed the tour guide.  Within a moment there was mutual recognition, taking us back sixteen years.  It was 1997 - we were on our first Mennonite Heritage Cruise.  On a Sunday morning while in Odessa, we had the opportunity to attend a service at an Orthodox Cathedral.  We were standing with other worshippers and at one point during the liturgy became aware of a beautiful soprano voice behind us.  Later, together with others, we met this young lady, found out that she could speak English, and invited her to join us for lunch on the ship.  This was followed by a memorial service for those whose ancestors had perished at sea, while serving in the Sanitätsdient in WW1 (an alternative service to active war duty). These people had the opportunity of tossing remembrance roses into the Black Sea.  During these moments of reminiscence we again hear this voice - Anzhelika singing "The Lord's Prayer" in Russian.  The minor melody tugs at your heartstrings.  It was one of those exquisite, unorchestrated, never-to-be forgotten moments.

Anzhelika, myself and Olga Rubel formed a trio

Anzhelika is married and has a 7 year old son.  As well as hosting a tour company, she teaches music at the university.  Her husband is an artist; he is often commissioned to paint backdrops for the Odessa opera.  Before we parted Anzhelika requested that we sing "Amazing Grace" together.

Sasha's mother at her workplace

Olga Rubel, our representative in Zaporozhye, has been keeping in contact with Sasha, the young man who lost his arms under very unfortunate circumstances seven years ago.  We've assisted in various ways through the years. He finished school in spring. Earlier this month we made it possible for him to attend a camp for disabled young people which he enjoyed.  He loves to swim and play soccer.  He has also become proficient in using a foot mouse to operate a computer.  We tried unsuccessfully to connect with Sasha last week, but did meet with his mother.  We are offering him a distance-learning computer course in fall and are willing to put needed supports into place.

Yesterday was a red-letter day - Dema's birthday! He made the announcement at church together with an open invitation to join in a wiener roast at the Centre in the evening.  At least 45 people responded.

Dema on the hot seat

Responding to the toasts & roasts

Oksana outdid herself baking 6 cakes, wiener buns and preparing salads.  A great climax to another week.

For more information on the work of the Mennonite Centre, please go to http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/

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RESTORATION

It was eight years ago.  We had come to Ukraine to volunteer at the Mennonite Centre. In the early years we made many discoveries as we explored the villages of our ancestry.   One building stands out in our memory - the ruins of a once ornate church in the village of Schönsee.

2007

Today

Walls were still standing and trees within were almost overshadowing the building. Loose bricks had long been gleaned for reconstruction elsewhere. We roamed around the site and tried to imagine what once was.  It came as a surprise earlier this year to learn that this building was under reconstruction - again as a centre for worship.  The Mennonite Centre is supporting the restoration by providing cement and bricks.

This is a church-planting project of Father Peter, a Greek Catholic missionary from the Czech Republic.  We had the opportunity to meet him at the building site.

Father Peter, second from right

When we arrived 8 young people, volunteers from CZ, were hard at work levelling the ground so that the concrete flooring could be completed.  They all spoke English, as well as two seminarians studying in Austria.
One of them told us that Father Peter has planted 18 churches in Europe.  They also said that there was a time when he was persecuted and had to flee for his life.  A group of believers has already formed in Schönsee and are meeting regularly in this still-to-be-completed building.  Several of them appeared while we were there.

Local parishioners

This project will take some time to complete. Father Peter is planning a dedication a year from now and intimated that this church might become a pilgrimage site.  We were able to converse in German and found him to be a most likeable, kind person.  Before we left he gathered his colleagues around him and ourselves and they sang the Lord's Prayer in three-part harmony.  I must admit that I was wiping tears.  He then closed in prayer - not a memorized liturgy, but a blessing from the heart.  We are grateful that this building is having a new life.

Another restoration:
In previous blogs we've referred to the the former Willm's mansion next door to our apartment.  When we left in November a new roof was being put on the building. When we returned a few weeks ago the roof was still incomplete, but men are again working. We are told that workers had disappeared with 20,000 UAH of roofing material which put a stop to the project.  This week the whole area has been fenced in.  Apparently it belongs to the local furniture factory and the building is being renovated to create sleeping space for workers. This still begs the question.  With so many unemployed in Molochansk why create lodging?

             Sunflowers in all their glory.  Some fields extend as far as the eye can see.

             A restoration for the senses.  Good news, we had some rain yesterday.

For more information on the work of the Mennonite Centre, please go to http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/

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FINDING TREASURE

We've been drawn back to Ukraine once again - it's strange, the allure.  This time we came via Poland.  We had the opportunity to participate in a Mennonite historical tour which expanded the knowledge and scope of our heritage.  Our genealogical  quest was akin to searching for treasure and to our surprise we were able to uncover some family gems in the form of gravestone fragments with ancestral names.  It was pretty exhilarating.

The theme was "Searching for Treasure"  There were

pirates, a ship and sunken treasure

Upon arrival here we became aware of another treasure hunt in process.  Last week the Kutuzovka Church held its annual children's camp.  We were invited to join parents in attending the final wrap-up session Friday afternoon.  Seventy children were registered. They had been divided into six groups, each with a leader and a helper.  Eight years ago, when we first came to Ukraine, these young leaders were the children.  It's great to see them becoming responsible young adults; also gratifying for us an organization because we are annual sponsors of this camp.  The camp director, a very capable young women, is the daughter of our head cook, Ira.

Ploughing into the muck

Searching under the tent

Teams, parents among them, competed in finding treasure. Where were those elusive keys to unlock the treasure chests?  There was much excitement, seeking and scrambling.  In addition to all the activities and fun each day, children were given keys to unlocking Scriptural treasures - the ultimate treasure quest.                                                                                         

As in other years, residents of the Senior's Home at the church participated in the camp. Women who are physically able, willingly peeled potatoes for 100 people and busily washed dishes.  Connections were made across the generations.  Contributing to operational costs of the Senior's Home is another one of our projects.

                                                                                     

Fleeting treasures.
We're in the midst of apricot season.  Trees everywhere are laden with fruit. We're enjoying this abundance but it won't be for long.  The weather is scorching hot and in many cases fruit is cooking on the stem.  People tell us that summers have been getting hotter and dryer; there has been less snow in winters.  Less moisture in the ground is taking its toll because many here depend on their gardens for their livelihood.  Right now gardens are producing but people are waiting for rain.

For more information on the work of the Mennonite Centre, please go to http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/

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WRAPPING UP

A few weeks ago at the Centre - trees are bare now

Our last week in Molochansk. Even though days are getting colder people keep coming to the Centre.  Our doors are never closed.  Sometimes they come to sit, precisely, because it is a warm place. 

Baba Zenaida and her mentally disabled,
  alcoholic son live in dire poverty

We’ve received 47 applications for coal this winter.  In our area there are still many elderly who haven't the means to switch to natural gas.  We work with an annual coal budget trying to help the most needy. 

Neighbour helping lady on the left
who is presently bedridden

Home visits are made to ascertain those who qualify. For instance, a household with two people on pension would not meet our criteria.  These are two of this year's coal recipients. 

Denis is a young entrepreneur who has become a strawberry and garlic farmer.  In addition he is the facility manager for the Seniors Home at the church. We recently 

provided some assistance enabling him to purchase a tiller.  Until now he has worked his hectares by hand.  Last Sunday he sprang to his feet, ran to the front of the church to share this miracle with the congregation.  It was a dream come true.

We had an unexpected visit last week.  A delegation from the former Mennonite village of Lichtenau came to the Centre requesting assistance in restoring of a small Orthodox chapel. 

Parishioners had gathered money but didn't have sufficient funds to replace the linoleum. While visiting this potential project we noticed that the church was adjacent to the village Baptist church. Dema asked how this was working out for them.  

Dedication of newly renovated worship space

Without hesitation the lady answered. "There is enough sin in the church already - we will not add to that. We work together; we worship the same God." It is obvious  that bridge building has taken place in this village. We were pleased to offer help.  

A few more highlights.  Rudy has been having a great time teaching vocal skills to nine young people - eight women and one intrepid young man.

 They are learning to listen to one another, blending their voices and trying out harmony. Since only a few read notes, they've particularly enjoyed singing rounds.

Jakob & Anna - former Mennonite house in background

Last Sunday we met with two Peace Corps Volunteers who are stationed in Zaporozhye.  Anna has a distant Mennonite background.  Her great-grandparents lived in the former village of Alexanderwohl and emigrated to Kansas in the 1870's.  What fun if was to take them to this village  From Helmut Huebert's historical atlas we were able to identify the plots where her Schmidt and Unruh relatives lived. 

Anna holding up family picture

This girl, who has a British father and a Mexican-American mother, could not wipe the broad smile from her face.  We drove the road through the village three times, Anna, the whole time trying to envision the lives of her ancestors.  Many pictures were taken.  Anna and Jakob expressed appreciation over and over again.

Concluding comments from Tamara Nikolaiovna.  This dear lady has been attending our seniors lunches since the Centre opened its doors 11 years ago.  She says she has four homes -

her little house, the Mennonite Centre, church and heaven.  She says she watches the calendar and cannot wait for Tuesdays and Fridays to come.  She comments on the caring attention of the staff.  She has made many new friends.  She says, "we see each other and we know that we are still alive. The Mennonite Centre has made a big difference, the town has become friendlier."  She is the beneficiary of glasses and will also receive coal.  She wants Canada to know that "all our people say thank you."

When we first came to Ukraine as North American directors we were given no specific job description. Summing up the past months we've served as listeners, discerners, facilitators, helpers, bridge builders, overseers, envisioners, reporters and encouragers.  No day is the same as another.  We learn to be flexible because often things are unpredictable.  It's been a privilege, a challenge and a joy.  Many times we’ve sat around a table listening to peoples’ stories and concerns.  Many times there haven't been easy answers or solutions. Our hearts have been stirred as we’ve tried to understand and respond to their plight, offering aid where possible and seeing peoples’ lives changed.  All this because we have interested, concerned and generous supporters.  Reiterating the words of Tamara Nikolaiovna, "The people here thank you from the bottom of their hearts." 

If you wish to contribute to the work of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine make your Canadian cheques to "Friends of the Mennonite Centre in Ukraine" or "FOMCU." Cheques from American donors should be made out to "MFC-FOMCU". All cheques should be mailed to George Dyck, Treasurer, 3675 North Service Rd, Beamsville, Ontario, Canada - L0R 1B1. Check our website at http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/ for information on credit card donations

REMEMBRANCE

The Lavra

Kiev – a city of many faces; a city hoping to forge ahead, a city that remembers.  Again, as in recent years we spent several days here, our  main mission, delivering a donation to a farmer living east of the city.  It was post-election day and interesting to observe people on the Metro and riding the marshrutka.  Resignation appeared written on their faces – no heated discussions, just business as usual.  No detectible embers of the Orange Revolution. 

Dema & Rudy in front of the presidential palace

The ruling party received just slightly over 30% of the vote and together with communists will form a majority.  The Communist Party resurged from 5% last election to 14%.  This time, however, the opposition will be stronger, thus giving some hope.  A translator friend from the Intourist Office told us last week, “it will take a generation or perhaps two for Ukraine to change.”  According to the demographic breakdown of voters, it is the elderly who keep the current government in power.  They remember the “good old days” when everyone had a job.

The Rada - Ukrainian Parliament

Public park adjoining palace area

Angels of Sorrow

Ukraine has a history of suffering.  A national museum commemorating the victims of famines in the 20^th century was founded in 2009.  It depicts the tragedies of 1921-22, of the 1930’s Stalin-imposed genocide and the 1946-47 post-war famines.  Ukraine lost about 10 million people while Stalin exported confiscated grains to the West.

It was a moving and thought-provoking experience to visit this site.  Angels of Sorrow guard the entrance leading to the Candle of Memory, symbolic of a revived Ukraine. 

Ukraine torn up by its roots

A haunting statue depicting a starving young girl clutching ears of grain in her small hands.  An underground memorial hall displays art and sculptures, also video excursions depicting the scale of the Holodomors.  A National Book of Memory lists names of the victims. It was stated that the preservation of these memories serves to safeguard Ukraine’s future.

Sculpture created from
beeswax

For many of us also, memories of our ancestral past spur us on to do good, to help the needy, to comfort the sorrowful, to give to the hungry food.  Remembering the words of Menno Simons, “true evangelical faith cannot lie sleeping.“