Jesus is RISEN!!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Bussing it
When the weather's good and we don't have too much to carry, it's nice to walk. Otherwise, we take a bus.
Catching a bus in Sakhalin is an experience in itself. Most of the buses that serve the city are 15-seater minivans, and they are numbered with a list of their stops, or a circuit map, on the door. The 45 takes us to the Chinese Markets, Grace church, and home. The 16 will end up at the mental hospital. We can catch the 92 or the 63 to the airport; and to go to church on Sundays we can take the 15, 16, 81 or 105.
Good on ya, 81!
Catching a bus in Sakhalin is an experience in itself. Most of the buses that serve the city are 15-seater minivans, and they are numbered with a list of their stops, or a circuit map, on the door. The 45 takes us to the Chinese Markets, Grace church, and home. The 16 will end up at the mental hospital. We can catch the 92 or the 63 to the airport; and to go to church on Sundays we can take the 15, 16, 81 or 105.
Good on ya, 81!
A kiss of snow
We are forever grateful to Sakhalin for showing off our ski slope to the Grace team: it snowed overnight, and the snow hung around, gracing Gorny Vostok for the rest of the day
Thursday, June 14, 2007
A range of weather
A definite stress of inviting visitors to Russia, and particularly Sakhalin Island, is the registration process that we must begin (we have discovered) as soon as possible. That way the process may be completed within the first week of stay, and avoid unnecessary, inconvenient and somewhat expensive repurcussions... enough said.
On the first full day of stay, we took the team into town to register. Facefulls of sleet later, we made it panting and wet to our doorstep. I don't know that I have ever been so wet while fully dressed.
Kate met us and filled in the forms. Filling them in by hand, in duplicate, for three people takes a bit of time. But she was more than happy to take the morning off work for us. Thank you Kate!!
The team stayed in a flat we rented for 10 days. It was very close to our place, just 5 mins walk! And was the perfect place to hang out, have meetings and to pray. The kids were impressed- not only did the flat have a TV, they could watch the National Geographic Channel!!!
On the first full day of stay, we took the team into town to register. Facefulls of sleet later, we made it panting and wet to our doorstep. I don't know that I have ever been so wet while fully dressed.
Kate met us and filled in the forms. Filling them in by hand, in duplicate, for three people takes a bit of time. But she was more than happy to take the morning off work for us. Thank you Kate!!
The team stayed in a flat we rented for 10 days. It was very close to our place, just 5 mins walk! And was the perfect place to hang out, have meetings and to pray. The kids were impressed- not only did the flat have a TV, they could watch the National Geographic Channel!!!
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
From an outsider's perspective
After living in a place for more than 2 weeks, first impressions begin to fade and it's very difficult to recognise the differences. Well, to some extent.
Here are some photos of the city that Dave took on the taxi ride from the airport. Note: Sakhalin is not always this overcast!
A wooden Dacha (cottage) along the road. Families often own a dacha- they are out of town, and usually don't have electricity, water, sewerage... families that live in town use their cottages as vegetable gardens and day-time or holiday get-aways. But many people do call a dacha their home. Picturesque, but terribly prone to fire.
The hospital at the top of our street.
An apartment block in less than the best state... but there are a lot of such buildings around.
View of apartment blocks from the kitchen window. Usually Russian apartments look pretty crumby on the outside, but inside can be very comfortable.
Here are some photos of the city that Dave took on the taxi ride from the airport. Note: Sakhalin is not always this overcast!
A wooden Dacha (cottage) along the road. Families often own a dacha- they are out of town, and usually don't have electricity, water, sewerage... families that live in town use their cottages as vegetable gardens and day-time or holiday get-aways. But many people do call a dacha their home. Picturesque, but terribly prone to fire.
The hospital at the top of our street.
An apartment block in less than the best state... but there are a lot of such buildings around.
View of apartment blocks from the kitchen window. Usually Russian apartments look pretty crumby on the outside, but inside can be very comfortable.
Monday, June 04, 2007
The Grace team arrived!
Sakhalin airport, May 25th 2007: Dave, Frank and Jenny (mum) take their first footsteps on Russian soil.
Sakhalin airport is very small and it does feel quite parochial, climbing down the steps of the plane to the tarmac, hand luggage clutched tightly under one arm as the other is busy ensuring your stability on the rickety staircase, pushing onto a crowded bus and getting dropped of at the immigration desk where you wait for everyone from business class to be processed before you are- but your laughter will quickly die down when you see the unblinking eyes, stilletos and gruff commands from the woman wearing a khaki suit and possibly holding a gun.
Keep your eyes cast down and pray they won't send you back to Seoul on the plane you just 'disembarked' from.
But we were there to meet them- the Harrisons and me. I'd last seen mum (and Frank and Dave) in November, 6 months before. But for the Harrisons, it had been over 12 months since having face-to-face contact with visitors from home. Very exciting.
They brought a LOT of luggage with them, and left with very little. The purpose of their trip was to encourage us, see what we do, how we live, and give us some good and Godly advice and support. The short 10 days they spent here was jam-packed full of talking and tears, jokes and laughter, sleet, sunshine, snow and mist- they left us with new ideas, fresh vision, encouraged and supported and loved. What a team! What a taste of things to come!
Sakhalin airport is very small and it does feel quite parochial, climbing down the steps of the plane to the tarmac, hand luggage clutched tightly under one arm as the other is busy ensuring your stability on the rickety staircase, pushing onto a crowded bus and getting dropped of at the immigration desk where you wait for everyone from business class to be processed before you are- but your laughter will quickly die down when you see the unblinking eyes, stilletos and gruff commands from the woman wearing a khaki suit and possibly holding a gun.
Keep your eyes cast down and pray they won't send you back to Seoul on the plane you just 'disembarked' from.
But we were there to meet them- the Harrisons and me. I'd last seen mum (and Frank and Dave) in November, 6 months before. But for the Harrisons, it had been over 12 months since having face-to-face contact with visitors from home. Very exciting.
They brought a LOT of luggage with them, and left with very little. The purpose of their trip was to encourage us, see what we do, how we live, and give us some good and Godly advice and support. The short 10 days they spent here was jam-packed full of talking and tears, jokes and laughter, sleet, sunshine, snow and mist- they left us with new ideas, fresh vision, encouraged and supported and loved. What a team! What a taste of things to come!
Paaarrrtteeeee!
Party it was for May 23rd- we'd planned and invited and it finally came together- with 30 or more guests we had a full house, and plenty of new introductions. But it was good to have everyone together. Next time we might have less people at once...
Masha, me getting older and Ira- both Masha and Ira have interpreted for us at different times, and are good friends.
Trac, Felicity, Lena and Ira
I said goodbye to Jenya and Anton before they headed out after the party.
Ryan found his favourite corner of the room and stayed there!
Trac cooked for two days straight, making everything but the cake!! Thanks for such a great party Trac.
Scott Elders, group photographer and former resident of Clifton Park- 10 mins drive away from my home in Australind!
I can't deny it any more- I'm a quarter of a century, and there is no turning back. :-(
Best to go through it with a bang!
Masha, me getting older and Ira- both Masha and Ira have interpreted for us at different times, and are good friends.
Trac, Felicity, Lena and Ira
I said goodbye to Jenya and Anton before they headed out after the party.
Ryan found his favourite corner of the room and stayed there!
Trac cooked for two days straight, making everything but the cake!! Thanks for such a great party Trac.
Scott Elders, group photographer and former resident of Clifton Park- 10 mins drive away from my home in Australind!
I can't deny it any more- I'm a quarter of a century, and there is no turning back. :-(
Best to go through it with a bang!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
May 23rd
I have noticed a weather pattern over the last 20 or so years- it always rains on my birthday.
Tonight (the early hours) is no exception.
* * * *
Today is jam-packed full of plans- I'd better get some sleep so I can cope with it all!
Trac has been flooding the fridges with roast chicken, kebabs, and something secret she won't show me all day, and is talking feverishly of plans for crepes, deserts, salads and serviettes tomorrow; our friend and interpreter Kate and probably her boyfriend Roslun and maybe a friend of their's, Daniel, who she's trying to set me up with (she's wasting her time), are coming over for lunch because they can't make it for the ; party tonight! We've invited over 30 people to our little house! I've demanded that the boys make it their plan to be here, and we have food galore, the chocolate game, M&M relays prepared (in our line of work we're never short of games to play!), good music and a healthy mix of Aussies, other random internationals and Russians! We have a lot of cleaning and tidying to do before then- so I'll say goodnight and get some rest ;-)
(Something you have to make allowances for as you get older, right dad?)
Tonight (the early hours) is no exception.
* * * *
Today is jam-packed full of plans- I'd better get some sleep so I can cope with it all!
Trac has been flooding the fridges with roast chicken, kebabs, and something secret she won't show me all day, and is talking feverishly of plans for crepes, deserts, salads and serviettes tomorrow; our friend and interpreter Kate and probably her boyfriend Roslun and maybe a friend of their's, Daniel, who she's trying to set me up with (she's wasting her time), are coming over for lunch because they can't make it for the ; party tonight! We've invited over 30 people to our little house! I've demanded that the boys make it their plan to be here, and we have food galore, the chocolate game, M&M relays prepared (in our line of work we're never short of games to play!), good music and a healthy mix of Aussies, other random internationals and Russians! We have a lot of cleaning and tidying to do before then- so I'll say goodnight and get some rest ;-)
(Something you have to make allowances for as you get older, right dad?)
Music
I love my Russian church. As a family we're getting to know some of the other members and leaders, and they are so passionate about living for Christ. I respect and admire them. I love how Russian our church service is, too. It's on the occasional side that we sing songs that I know the English lyrics to- we prefer Russian songs, and we praise God with Russian rhythms that just call my feet to dance!!
On Sunday the pastor's wife asked me to come to music practice with the musicians on Tuesday, and the music team practice on Thursday. I was so excited- I've been itching to play with other musicians for months- years! And all my memories from my years on the Grace team came flooding back- both the good and the difficult ones! All precious and character building, in their own way ;-)
Well, tonight was Tuesday and so off I went, caught the bus all on my own (a small feat in itself) and went to church and played. My guitar is getting repaired by the music master at the musical college in town (some of the cream-coloured capping over the top of the neck had chipped off) so I played an electric guitar. I found that my memory for chord patterns has improved with my age (which took a giant leap forward about 30 minutes ago!! (>_<) and everything I've ever learned came back to me. Woohoo!
I'm looking forward to Thursday. The team leader, Sergei, asked me if I can sing in Russian. I guess I can, if I have enough time to learn the songs. Now this WILL be a challenge!
On Sunday the pastor's wife asked me to come to music practice with the musicians on Tuesday, and the music team practice on Thursday. I was so excited- I've been itching to play with other musicians for months- years! And all my memories from my years on the Grace team came flooding back- both the good and the difficult ones! All precious and character building, in their own way ;-)
Well, tonight was Tuesday and so off I went, caught the bus all on my own (a small feat in itself) and went to church and played. My guitar is getting repaired by the music master at the musical college in town (some of the cream-coloured capping over the top of the neck had chipped off) so I played an electric guitar. I found that my memory for chord patterns has improved with my age (which took a giant leap forward about 30 minutes ago!! (>_<) and everything I've ever learned came back to me. Woohoo!
I'm looking forward to Thursday. The team leader, Sergei, asked me if I can sing in Russian. I guess I can, if I have enough time to learn the songs. Now this WILL be a challenge!
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
MAY DAY picnic in the park
It has become a tradition- for a family that's lived here for two years, anyway.
May Day, public holiday and beginning of the spring celebrations that fall across the first 10 days in May, is spent in the park. We weren't the only ones there, either.
We have "our" little secluded spot by the river that we always head for.
And do we know how to picnic!
Bringing in the supplies ;-)
Trac and Pete setting up camp
Beckles and I lounging around
Beckles
Me and Jake
Luke, Becky, Roma and Jake
Luke. Please refer to him as "Cool Dude"
The muddy remains of our snowboarding slope
May Day, public holiday and beginning of the spring celebrations that fall across the first 10 days in May, is spent in the park. We weren't the only ones there, either.
We have "our" little secluded spot by the river that we always head for.
And do we know how to picnic!
Bringing in the supplies ;-)
Trac and Pete setting up camp
Beckles and I lounging around
Beckles
Me and Jake
Luke, Becky, Roma and Jake
Luke. Please refer to him as "Cool Dude"
The muddy remains of our snowboarding slope
благая вест
Our church- Blagaya Vest- is AWESOME!
It's hard to give you an idea.
we go for the rock version of praise songs, we listen to the instrumental "Theme from Local hero" originally by Dire Straits during our tithes and offering (why don't we do that in Australia?!??) and... we just love it.
Sorry these photos aren't very good but this is what it looks like from my point of view.
His kingdom, his power, his glory will be forever!
It's hard to give you an idea.
we go for the rock version of praise songs, we listen to the instrumental "Theme from Local hero" originally by Dire Straits during our tithes and offering (why don't we do that in Australia?!??) and... we just love it.
Sorry these photos aren't very good but this is what it looks like from my point of view.
His kingdom, his power, his glory will be forever!
Late Snows
The snow had melted.
It was sunny. Getting warm. Then one day, on April 29th, we woke up to see...
A big snow fall.
Wet snow sticks to everything. It was a beautiful salute to the end of winter.
Goodbye! Goodbye white coldness! We'll see you again too soon.
It was sunny. Getting warm. Then one day, on April 29th, we woke up to see...
A big snow fall.
Wet snow sticks to everything. It was a beautiful salute to the end of winter.
Goodbye! Goodbye white coldness! We'll see you again too soon.
Unrecognised Genius
You've met Jenya before. Here he is, just to refresh your memory...
He has a gift. He can break just about anything he sets (or doesn't set) his mind to, simply by walking past it.
But there's another side to his gift- he is a creative inventor.
He can take any household appliance and, much to Peter's frustration, take it apart and make it "better" and/or something completely different.
Anton and Jenya had a friend give them a tatoo recently. Once the scabs had come off (I know, ewww) they weren't happy with the result. So Jenya took apart a battery-operated nail buffer, remains of the OLD laptop, electrical tape and a guitar string and made himself a tatoo machine.
As much as they said it didn't hurt, I'm sure it did! But, I have to admit... they did a good job!
Don't try this at home folks.
He has a gift. He can break just about anything he sets (or doesn't set) his mind to, simply by walking past it.But there's another side to his gift- he is a creative inventor.
He can take any household appliance and, much to Peter's frustration, take it apart and make it "better" and/or something completely different.
Anton and Jenya had a friend give them a tatoo recently. Once the scabs had come off (I know, ewww) they weren't happy with the result. So Jenya took apart a battery-operated nail buffer, remains of the OLD laptop, electrical tape and a guitar string and made himself a tatoo machine.
As much as they said it didn't hurt, I'm sure it did! But, I have to admit... they did a good job!
Don't try this at home folks.
Ice Fishing
There is a man, Victor. He goes to our church. And he keeps his car out the front, at our house. So we see him in passing nearly every day. (Incidentally, his wife just had a baby boy. Congratulations Victor!)
Well- he invited us to go ice fishing with him several times. Finally Pete was able to take him up on the offer- bundled up in as many warm clothes as possible, off they went, to spend the day on the ice, hauling in fish.
Pete in action
Victor
Fishing people scattered across the bay
The ice is about 1 1/2metres thick- enough to hold the weight of a vehicle
Well- he invited us to go ice fishing with him several times. Finally Pete was able to take him up on the offer- bundled up in as many warm clothes as possible, off they went, to spend the day on the ice, hauling in fish.
Pete in action
Victor
Fishing people scattered across the bay
The ice is about 1 1/2metres thick- enough to hold the weight of a vehicle
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