New Website
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Wednesday, December 29, 2004
RPD 29 December 2004
Merry Christmas!
Read Pray Delete Newsletter for 29 December 2004 is available.
Read Pray Delete Newsletter for 29 December 2004 is available.
Monday, December 20, 2004
RPD 20 December 2004
The RPD for 20 December is available here.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
RPD 15 December 2004
Read Pray Delete (RPD) newsletter for the 15th December is now available.
Orange Revolution - The Real Ukrainians
Over the past few weeks, Ukraine has been thrust into the spotlight on the world stage. The media usually focuses on the sensational. I rubbed shoulders with ordinary Ukrainians. Here is one story.
Meet Valera Lutsenko. Valera is a 19 year old Computer Science student at the Pedagogical University of Ukraine in Kyiv. He is also the bass player for the band Dekanat.
I met Valera one evening as he stayed on guard all night outside the tent I was sleeping in. He is one of the willing volunteers who has done everything with a smile. He has braved sub zero degrees and hunger for the cause of the Orange Revolution. I asked him why he chose to stay at the PORA campsite when he has a nice warm hostel here in Kyiv. Through a translator, Valera told me, "Ukraine is a wonderful, rich country with good people. But I am disillusioned and disappointed with the level of living for normal Ukrainians." He has been disappointed in the parliament and leaders of his country. "They look out for themselves and not the people of their country".
I asked him how long he will stay. "As long as it takes," he told me, "we have waited 13 years for freedom, we are not going to give up now."
After two weeks, Valera went back to his University. About 50% of the students were there. The lecturer told them that because they came, they would not receive bad marks, but because they were not protesting on the streets, they would not receive good marks. Valera, spent all day at University, practiced with his band in the evening, stood guard for about 3 hours at the PORA camp and then grabbed a few hours sleep. And he does it all with a smile.
"The best thing about the Orange Revolution," said Valera, "is the friendliness and kindness of so many people. Their common unity has made them go out of their way to take care of each other."
Valera also sees that when the Revolution is over, life must return to normal and that will be hard. "I will miss the new friends I have made over these weeks".
I have stayed in PORA for just over a week. I have seen the ordinary Ukrainians. Day in and day out, this is not about a big party, crowd mentality or sensationalism. This is about real people wanting their best for their country, for their people, for their future.
May the ordinary Ukrainians be the real winners when all of this is over.
Meet Valera Lutsenko. Valera is a 19 year old Computer Science student at the Pedagogical University of Ukraine in Kyiv. He is also the bass player for the band Dekanat.
I met Valera one evening as he stayed on guard all night outside the tent I was sleeping in. He is one of the willing volunteers who has done everything with a smile. He has braved sub zero degrees and hunger for the cause of the Orange Revolution. I asked him why he chose to stay at the PORA campsite when he has a nice warm hostel here in Kyiv. Through a translator, Valera told me, "Ukraine is a wonderful, rich country with good people. But I am disillusioned and disappointed with the level of living for normal Ukrainians." He has been disappointed in the parliament and leaders of his country. "They look out for themselves and not the people of their country".
I asked him how long he will stay. "As long as it takes," he told me, "we have waited 13 years for freedom, we are not going to give up now."
After two weeks, Valera went back to his University. About 50% of the students were there. The lecturer told them that because they came, they would not receive bad marks, but because they were not protesting on the streets, they would not receive good marks. Valera, spent all day at University, practiced with his band in the evening, stood guard for about 3 hours at the PORA camp and then grabbed a few hours sleep. And he does it all with a smile.
"The best thing about the Orange Revolution," said Valera, "is the friendliness and kindness of so many people. Their common unity has made them go out of their way to take care of each other."
Valera also sees that when the Revolution is over, life must return to normal and that will be hard. "I will miss the new friends I have made over these weeks".
I have stayed in PORA for just over a week. I have seen the ordinary Ukrainians. Day in and day out, this is not about a big party, crowd mentality or sensationalism. This is about real people wanting their best for their country, for their people, for their future.
May the ordinary Ukrainians be the real winners when all of this is over.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
RPD 11 December 2004
RPD 11 December 2004 is now available.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
1 December in Kyiv
Today was packed full of experiences unlike any ordinary day in Australia (or here for that matter).
It started at 7:00am when I forced myself out of my sleeping bag to get dressed. I pulled on my jeans over my long-jons to find the bottom half were frozen solid. I managed to stuff my feet in my boots and lace them up before my fingers froze. I grabbed my bag and trudged off up the hill to the nearest Metro. One stop, one change of line, 4 stops and then catch a bus to the apartment. Aaaahhhh a nice warm shower, then I hit the computer. Stacks of emails (most will have to wait) and a monthly update to write. It all took longer than I expected, so I rushed out and caught a taxi instead of a bus to the bus station. That cost 15 times more than normal (about $4) which irked me (but you don't want to be late to a funeral). The minibus to Rzh took almost 2 hours so I was late - but so was the funeral in getting started - about 45 minutes. So I stood round slowly losing the feeling in my toes.
The funeral was for Inga and Oksana's father. The two girls have been regular at church and youth group for about 3-4 months. As far as I am aware they have not yet decided to repent and make Jesus their Lord. Inga is 20 and was very brave-faced for the day. Oksana, 15, was really emotional. I really hurt for her.
The church service is a priest chanting and a chorus answering. It sounds doleful. He walks around waving his incense and different people light candles. That lasted about 45 minutes. Then we walk behind the truck up the hill to the the cemetery. Here the family say their last goodbyes before the lid is nailed onto the coffin and lowered into the grave. After this I was able to to give Inga and Oksana a short hug and tell them we loved them and were praying for them. That's all I got to say to them, but it was worth being their for the day. Love is the ultimate tool in spreading the Gospel.
It was after this that I realised I hadn't eaten all day (I think the worms were fighting). So I bought some yoghurt and biscuits and jumped on the next minibus back into Kyiv. I fell asleep on the bus and arrived back at camp PORA at about 5pm.
I then met up with a friend and her Uni friends and took my NZ flag to walk around Maidan (the main square). Lots of people stopped me for photographs and some for an autograph.
We decided to go inside for some tea and I had to wait in line about 15 minutes to use the public toilet. After meeting and chatting with another friend, I was heading back to camp, when I met up with some of yesterday's flag bearers.They talked me into going with them for food (free food in the City Council Chambers). It took ages. On the way I stopped to take a photo of police in riot uniforms. Pashtet (like pate') is not my favourite, so I lost my appetite quickly.
Finally I made it back to camp and got talking to some people round a fire. What are you doing in Ukraine? etc. Was good Ukrainian practice for me and some English practice for some of them.
Then joy of joys - the camp commandant came over and said I should sleep in the big tent with the others. A double walled, heated tent. Like moving from the outhouse to the penthouse!
And this is where I am, writing this lengthy blog. Must go to sleep (nearly 2 am), back to Ukrainian lessons tomorrow.
Jono
Keep Looking Up
It started at 7:00am when I forced myself out of my sleeping bag to get dressed. I pulled on my jeans over my long-jons to find the bottom half were frozen solid. I managed to stuff my feet in my boots and lace them up before my fingers froze. I grabbed my bag and trudged off up the hill to the nearest Metro. One stop, one change of line, 4 stops and then catch a bus to the apartment. Aaaahhhh a nice warm shower, then I hit the computer. Stacks of emails (most will have to wait) and a monthly update to write. It all took longer than I expected, so I rushed out and caught a taxi instead of a bus to the bus station. That cost 15 times more than normal (about $4) which irked me (but you don't want to be late to a funeral). The minibus to Rzh took almost 2 hours so I was late - but so was the funeral in getting started - about 45 minutes. So I stood round slowly losing the feeling in my toes.
The funeral was for Inga and Oksana's father. The two girls have been regular at church and youth group for about 3-4 months. As far as I am aware they have not yet decided to repent and make Jesus their Lord. Inga is 20 and was very brave-faced for the day. Oksana, 15, was really emotional. I really hurt for her.
The church service is a priest chanting and a chorus answering. It sounds doleful. He walks around waving his incense and different people light candles. That lasted about 45 minutes. Then we walk behind the truck up the hill to the the cemetery. Here the family say their last goodbyes before the lid is nailed onto the coffin and lowered into the grave. After this I was able to to give Inga and Oksana a short hug and tell them we loved them and were praying for them. That's all I got to say to them, but it was worth being their for the day. Love is the ultimate tool in spreading the Gospel.
It was after this that I realised I hadn't eaten all day (I think the worms were fighting). So I bought some yoghurt and biscuits and jumped on the next minibus back into Kyiv. I fell asleep on the bus and arrived back at camp PORA at about 5pm.
I then met up with a friend and her Uni friends and took my NZ flag to walk around Maidan (the main square). Lots of people stopped me for photographs and some for an autograph.
We decided to go inside for some tea and I had to wait in line about 15 minutes to use the public toilet. After meeting and chatting with another friend, I was heading back to camp, when I met up with some of yesterday's flag bearers.They talked me into going with them for food (free food in the City Council Chambers). It took ages. On the way I stopped to take a photo of police in riot uniforms. Pashtet (like pate') is not my favourite, so I lost my appetite quickly.
Finally I made it back to camp and got talking to some people round a fire. What are you doing in Ukraine? etc. Was good Ukrainian practice for me and some English practice for some of them.
Then joy of joys - the camp commandant came over and said I should sleep in the big tent with the others. A double walled, heated tent. Like moving from the outhouse to the penthouse!
And this is where I am, writing this lengthy blog. Must go to sleep (nearly 2 am), back to Ukrainian lessons tomorrow.
Jono
Keep Looking Up
December 2004 Monthly Update from Kiev
The December monthly update is now available.
Flags Are Up in Kiev
Well last night I wandered the streets with my flag and a PORA flag. I had heaps of people stop and talk to me, It was called England's flag, Australia's flag and NZs flag. One guy stopped his car and said, "is that a NZ flag?"
I was interviewed by a reporter. The paper's website is www.umoloda.kiev.ua (i think). I joined a flag procession and we received many shouts and congratulations. I was asked to go up the front of the parade and walk next to the Ukrainian flag. Flags from other countries were being carried about 15 in all. I had someone come up and ask for my signature. It was about minus 5 degrees and my toes nearly froze off. Then I went back to my tent to try and sleep, The concert outside went all night and it was cold, I kept waking up. Gotta go now. More tomorrow.
Jono
I was interviewed by a reporter. The paper's website is www.umoloda.kiev.ua (i think). I joined a flag procession and we received many shouts and congratulations. I was asked to go up the front of the parade and walk next to the Ukrainian flag. Flags from other countries were being carried about 15 in all. I had someone come up and ask for my signature. It was about minus 5 degrees and my toes nearly froze off. Then I went back to my tent to try and sleep, The concert outside went all night and it was cold, I kept waking up. Gotta go now. More tomorrow.
Jono
