ENERGIZED FOR GOOD

Much of our work is prompted by and interpreted through our faith and historical background.  A few days ago the German class from the Russian school came to the Centre for a Mennonite history lesson.  Dema had prepared a powerpoint presentation going back to Menno Simons.  There was great interest and many questions. Furthermore, because these children are studying German, communication was possible for us.

Marina Romanova, director of the Russian school, teaches this elective course and has invited us to visit the class. When students come to the Centre there is always an expectation that they will have tea with us. These students were hardly out the door when a small bus turned into the driveway and a group of people from the Melitopol History Club of the Pedagogical University stepped out.  This visit came entirely unannounced.

Dema immediately invited them in and repeated his half hour presentation.  The upshot of this occasion has turned out to be far-reaching.  Dema has been invited to be a presenter at an international conference in Kiev at the end of November. This event is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture and will be focusing on minorities of Ukraine.

The last days of summer – days are warm again but temperatures have dropped to minus five at night.  Yesterday we were invited to partake in another Thanksgiving service.  It required an excursion through the countryside to Bolkovoya, a village located close to the centre of what was once the Molotschna colony, not far from the first-ever MB church building.

We were welcomed by a small, but vibrant, Mennonite congregation.  This is an annual exchange and they hosted us royally. We sat through five sermons; four speakers were appointed on the spot when they arrived at church, Dema being one of these. Those who are energized by surprises do very well here.  In many ways we also find it best to be prepared for the unexpected and to be very flexible.

Thinking back to the week that was – what has brought us joy and inspired gratitude?

• Opening the tap and seeing water coming out!!  Not to be taken for granted. Last week there was one day only without this problem.
• Unexpectedly finding a twist-tie (treasured item in our kitchen).  Of course clothes pins make an acceptable substitute.
• The last rose of summer blooming at the Centre.

• Walnuts. As we’ve walked the streets of Molochansk during the past few weeks we have gleaned a large quantity of walnuts that would otherwise have become road-kill.  A great addition to our daily bowl of oatmeal.  Sadly this pleasure has come to an end.

Walking to the Centre - walnut trees on distant right

• Italian parsley and dill.  Huge bunches found at the market for only 30 cents.

• Most importantly, expressions of relief on faces of those we are able to help, particularly those facing serious health issues. So heartwarming when people come back relaying their gratitude because their lives have been changed for the better - enabled by your support, your gifts and your prayers.  Thank you!   

      

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

JOY IN THE MIDST OF HARDSHIP

We have been reminded again and again how creativity engages the senses and how people’s spirits can be lifted through celebration.  A week ago Sunday was a case in point.  It was national Senior’s Day.  The Thanksgiving tree was transformed and redecorated to reflect the theme and all were invited for tea after the service.  Celebrations continued into the week.

Monday we were invited to the Russian School for a concert dedicated specifically to Seniors.  Children sang, recited, danced and played instruments.  Later students presented flowers to all the elderly, ourselves included.  

Baba Zenaida

On Tuesday children from the neighbouring kindergarten came to the Centre and entertained the Seniors that come twice weekly for lunch. Our cooks prepared a delicious full course meal and those who had birthdays in September were honoured.

Dema & Oksana's daughter Anya on right - in Ukrainian national costume

The children, dressed in costumes, performed without inhibitions and delighted us all.

The day continued with visits to two nursing homes – one attached to the church and the other occupying the second floor of the former Molochansk hospital.  In both cases we see the elderly well cared for.  Several women living in the Kutuzovka home say that they are already living in paradise.

As the week progressed we connected with two enterprising farmers – one in the early stages of strawberry and garlic production and the other farmer, a former head of a collective.  Both talked about the challenges of small-scale farming.    For example, operating a small tractor now requires a license for the tractor as well as the driver.  And there are inspections to deal with and the possibilities of fines.  To escape harassment some farmers are choosing to run their tractors at night.  Marketing is also a problem because of government controls which keep changing.

Uri & Elena on alligator bench - eyes made out of pingpong balls

Farmer Uri and his wife Elena invited us for lunch.  As a token of thanks for the assistance we’ve provided through the years they had prepared an exotic outdoor feast – roasted pigeons from their rooftopwhich were stuffed with apricots, salo and other delicacies. 

Home-made salo

We have helped him with loans to purchase equipment and fertilizer, which he has repaid promptly at harvest time.  In lieu of interest we have asked him to help his neighbours.  Elena charmed us by 

singing Ukrainian folksongs, accompanying herself on a button accordion called a bayan.  This couple lives simply.   They have an outdoor shower using collected rainwater.  They raise most of their own food.

We thank our donors for the opportunity to assist the above-mentioned individuals and institutions and it is rewarding to hear their gratitude and to see them flourish and move ahead.

We hosted two sets of guests last week.  It was a pleasure to introduce them to some of our projects.  One of the more tender moments came while visiting a local orphanage with Ernie and Helen Rose Pauls. 

A 93 year old relative had knit a bag full of toques.  The orphanage director brought groups of children into the room one group at a time and each child left wearing a toque. – the expression on their faces brought moments of joy for us all.

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.

CONTRASTS & PRIORITIES

The landscape of Molochansk (Halbstadt) is changing in front of our eyes.  It’s happening at the major intersection of town where our street (Rosa Luxembourg) joins the main street. 

Last week, in a matter of days, a state-of-the-art children’s playground was constructed.  This week kitty-corner across from this playground at least 10 men are

Victory Day Celebration in front of Zentralschule

hard at work laying cement paving blocks, covering the entire area of the central plaza in front of the Palace of Culture (former Zentralschule).  Just before Victory Day celebrations last week this building received a fresh coat of paint. 

The playground area abuts the duck pond and the mayor tells us that this will be dredged and before long, swans will be swimming there, just like they did one hundred years ago. We had been approached a number of times in recent years asking us whether we would consider taking on this project of restoring the park.  Each time we felt that there were other priorities.

Duck Pond

We see all this and wonder. We question because so many things require attention. The roads are getting worse.  Driving to the next town where we bank and shop should take 10-12 minutes; it takes at least half an hour.  Some streets in Molochansk aren’t even navigable.  This week a woman went to the mayor to complain. When it rains her children have difficulty getting to and from school.  The street is a sea of mud and the depth of the holes is camouflaged.  To solve this problem the mayor offered her pieces of pavement which had been dug up in refurbishing the above-mentioned plaza.  Road repair is frequently done with broken-up bricks. Yesterday electricity and water were off for 10 hours. This happens unpredictably and people take it in their stride.  It’s much better now however, than a few years ago.

What’s most difficult is seeing people, again this week, coming to the Centre ashen-faced because a loved one has had surgery and has a poor diagnosis.  The doctor has just told the family that they need more money before they can do anything.  The family has already spent all their resources and is in debt.  They have heard that there are “good people” at the Mennonite Centre that might help them.  Medical care by law is free in Ukraine.  Our hearts are heavy and we help where we can.

Government priorities? Improvement coming in baby steps?  How does the beautifying of public spaces fit in?  It has been said that beauty can become a survival strategy. In the greater scheme of things might not the delight children and mothers experience at the playground  outweigh the expense? The men laying the paving blocks have temporary employment.  We hear people  saying, “too bad there’s not an election every year.” 

TWO ANNIVERSARIES

September 21 – a day of celebration in Molochansk.  Although it was 68 years ago when the German army withdrew from Molochansk, collective memories are kept alive and fortified year after year.  Last Friday our townfolk celebrated their local Victory Day.  All of Ukraine celebrates May 9 as the National Victory Day.  World War II or, the Great Patriotic War as it is known here, remains a topic of great importance in literature, the arts and in school history lessons. Every town has its monuments. Older people remember that in Molochansk, a town of 7000, only 4 houses remained untouched by the shelling coming from the German army camped on the hills outside of town.  There was mass destruction. 

Parading past the Mennonite Centre

 Friday dawned bright and beautiful.  Mid-morning the parade began and followed the route down our street, past the Mennonite Centre to the park that once was the garden of the grand Willms estate.  We followed the procession not wanting to miss any of the proceedings.  Earlier that day a young man visited the Centre.  

Sergei & Dema before the celebration

Sergei is 19 years old and has spent his life in the orphanage in Prischib, just out of town. He has no memories of his mother.  He was told that she was destitute had six children and didn’t want him.  This young man has an exceptionally fine singing voice and dreams of a musical career.  He was chosen to sing the National Anthem at the ceremony.

A number of dignitaries addressed the crowd, among them the Chief Prosecutor of Ukraine, our local mayor, a veteran and also Dema. 

Molochansk band with donated instruments

We didn’t catch all the symbolic elements but watched as floral tributes were placed on the monument. The band played on instruments we have donated through the years.  

Children danced and sang with appropriate choreography.  These events always involve a cultural demonstra-tion. After the ceremony Dema invited the dignitaries to stop at the Centre for tea and they agreed to come.  We helped the staff to set up a small buffet table in our meeting room.  Our dining room wasn’t available because Friday is also the day our Seniors come for lunch.  We’re always amazed at how quickly our staff can pull something together.  Everything was ready when the gentlemen arrived.  

Artyum Pshonka greeting our seniors

They noticed a group of Seniors still finishing their tea and instead of turning left when they entered the building, they joined the Seniors.  They were welcomed with delight, everyone talking and laughing at once.Their refreshments were completely ignored and after some quick picture taking they made their way to the door.  Artyum Pshonka, the chief prosecutor was presented with Ukrainian copy of Rudy Friesen’s book, Building on the Past.  Their time had run out and it was on to the next part of the day’s agenda. It’s to be remembered that this is election year.  In the greater scheme of things it was much to their advantage to score points with the Seniors than to have lunch. 

Some of the Seniors with the Molochansk mayor and chief prosecutor

All was not lost however.  September 21 also marked eleven years since the Mennonite Centre opened its doors.  We joined the staff in a nice lunch together, reminiscing how times have changed.  In 1944 the Germans were expelled.  Now we are welcomed back.

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.

OF BUILDINGS AND BREAD

OF BUILDINGS AND BREAD

Back in 2009 we were approached whether we would be willing to participate in restoring an old building to become a gathering place for surrounding communities.  A century ago this had been a school in the Mennonite village of Schoenau.  We found this structure in very poor condition. At that time we felt we’d rather put our resources into helping people instead of restorations. So it was unexpected to receive an invitation this week to attend a ‘gala grand-opening concert’ in this very building. Of course we had to go.  Getting there was a harrowing ride, potholes have grown bigger and more abundant.

Former Schoenau village school

What a surprise to see the building restored; the regional government has made this possible.  A plaque on the wall pays tribute to its Mennonite past. 

It reads that one hundred years ago this building was a Mennonite village school and is now a club. In a society where performance begins in kindergarten, the palace of culture becomes one of the most important, and usually the most attractive building in the community. 

We watched young and old gathering from all directions.  A political party took this opportunity to make a bold statement hoisting blue banners and passing out T-shirts (parliamentary elections are coming up October 28).

A young woman in ethnic costume offered the traditional welcome of bread and salt placed on an embroidered ceremonial cloth called a rushnyk - bread symbolizing the warmth of Ukrainian hospitality and salt representing friendship.  It was a three-hour event of many speeches, dances, and music making.

Molochansk Dance Troupe

Rudy’s father was born and grew up in the next village just a few kilometers down the road.  It is very possible that he may have set foot in this building.  Rudy offered words of congratulation and we left with a feeling of optimism. In contrast to so much bleakness we see this piece of history being transformed into a place of potential, the former village school now a palace of culture. 

Yesterday the Kutuzovka church celebrated their Harvest Festival.  The opening words were poignant.  “Do we have reason to be thankful this year since it has been such a dry summer with little harvest?”  The day before, the question had been: “what can we use to decorate?"

Bread tree

Bread became their symbol and thus the theme developed.  People brought what fruits and vegetables they had and in their characteristically creative way a wonderful display evolved. The sermon centred on Habakkuk 3:16-17-18.  Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vine, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food . . . yet will I rejoice in the Lord.  There is cause for gratitude - among other  things there are grapes on the vine the cost of bread hasn't risen, and the walls of a new church building are being erected in Molochansk.  It was another three hour event, excluding the meal.  

Step #1 in the process

The Mennonite Centre provided the main course.  Dema, Plov Master, presided over the new plov pot and 120 were fed.  Everyone loves plov. It is a dish of Uzbekian origin that contains meat, vegetables, rice, lots of oil and special seasoning.

Both events this week touched our hearts.  The focus was thankfulness and it was a privilege to participate. 

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.