Belarus 2004 - Marie Cartwright

Mission trips by members of Pleasant Grove Community Church

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by Marie Cartwright

5 from PGCC go on mission to Belarus

On Thursday, July 15, 2004, Wanda, Shirley and I left Sacramento Airport and flew to JFK in New York. To get to the shuttle to the hotel we had to take the Sky Train around and around. We had reservations at the Holiday Inn Express (more like DEpress) but they had no beds for us. Dorothy and Sue had come in earlier and were still waiting. FINALLY we just told them they HAD TO have beds for us and LO AND BEHOLD King sized beds appeared! Poorly run place to say the least. Got our rooms at 2 a.m.

On Friday we were shuttled to the airport and we had time to shop around until our boarding time at 6 p.m. so we had a fast lunch. They had tagged Wanda's & my bags together which caused a major hassle when we got to Minsk. Our bags as well as about 25 others were missing. A long procedure to file a claim and Wanda's & mine were a complicated affair.

Belarussian pastor in front of his church

After going through Vienna and changing planes we got to Minsk, a beautiful, clean and green city. Nice hotel with low beds which Dorothy called "the 7 Dwarfs beds." We had good food and served in a nice setting. Potatoes were used in many ways as was the usual chicken or pork. At almost every breakfast and supper, we had a bowl of chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumbers and sometimes bell peppers with a dressing of Sesame seed oil and vinegar, just excellent.

On Sunday at breakfast a Belarusian pastor spoke to us with an interpreter. He was so good. I wish I had a copy of his talk.

My small group with interpreters

My interpreter, Dimas, Tony and Marty & his 2 year old son and I went on a fast tour of the subway, up and down stairs or escalators at each stop. Very clean but old. Then back to the hotel for dinner.

On Monday, we traveled by bus to the city of Mozer (5 hrs) stopping for a potty break (hole in the floor). Got to our hotel, everything was poor, toilets had "removable" seats, beds were noisy and I think made of straw. However, we were tired enough to sleep in spite of barking dogs. We sorted our gift supplies.

We all tore a piece of bread off and dipped it in the salt, a friendship thing.

First mission day at Honike, a very poor area, salaries $9 A MONTH. We went 3 places. Met with large group waiting for us with bread with salt held on a table runner. We all tore a piece of bread off and dipped it in the salt, a friendship thing.

We gave our presentations and testimonies, and gave out the gospel bracelets, Samaritan purse boxes, teddy bears and other much needed and appreciated gifts.

In small groups we went to a group of 7th & 8th graders who were stoic and showed very little response. We gave our presentations and testimonies, and gave out the gospel bracelets, Samaritan purse boxes, teddy bears and other much needed and appreciated gifts.

Children receiving their gifts were very appreciative

Second group was 2 & 4 year olds. VERY responsive and showed so much interest as did their parents and teachers. They appreciated everything SO MUCH! Tears of joy! At all places we went we gave out Teddy Bears and the boxes and so much more, and all got sugar, flour, and powdered milk from the Ministry, sent over ahead of us.

Here are some more pictures of the children. They were very grateful for our gifts and attention.

Smiles abound with gifts of God's love.

A family of young children.

Teaching the Gospel bracelet.

We stopped at a State- runned shop, kind of a dump in our terms. Got a doll and a breadbasket.

On Tuesday, the first day out at Hoinike, 1 hr. from Mozer, we met with the Mayor, Nicole Vonivish who gave us a history or the area and was so glad to have us there.

Picked up Pastor Ladema at Baptist church. He said only 10 to 15% of babies born are healthy. 70% of metals in world are here. 100 million people still living in places they are not supposed to be after their relocation. But people bonded and are stronger than they were before the Chernobyl disaster. Only 6% of the grain is fit for eating. Mill processing plant is here.

Parents and teachers received gifts as well.

Thursday's first meeting was with 2 & 4 year olds with emotional problems. The parents were there and were very receptive, attention span was short for the kids.

Young girl danced for us in the play yard.

Went to another place in the yard, there wasn't a place we could be inside. Many different ages, rough ground to stand on.

Men came in horse driven carts to haul the goodies that were given to them (no cars there). We played games with them. At 5:30 our small group of 5 went to a home where the lady served ground potatoes with meat enclosed. Beautiful plate of tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, and salami - all thinly sliced - as a salad. Dessert was cottage cheese rolls with frosting, chocolate and other candies & tea. Se and her husband run a rehab center for people with drug and or alcohol problems.

Tears run knowing life is short in Belarus.

Friday we went to the ZONE. It is a forbidden site, but we got a special pass. Went via Hoinie to pick up the pastor. In the ZONE, after Chernobyl people were evacuated and had to leave their homes. Now the homes are all boarded up as are the dairy farms and all are dilapidated. However now the older people are returning and farming the ground, even if it is all contaminated. They have no hope of any better life. So sad. The Mafia doesn't bother them. They don't want to live there.

In Bracken, very few Americans ever come here. We were in a school for the very young. So glad to see us "foreigners".

Church on Sunday. The building was run down by our standards, but the spirits were high.

Then on to Camarina. Picked up the Mayor. There are no taxes and so nothing can support the town.

Saturday left Mozer for Minsk. Arrived with no luggage of mine (again). Even my carry on had been left at Mozer Hotel. Rodney sent for a courier to pick it up (after verifying if was there) a 5 hour trip each way. But all meds were missing when I did get it.

Had breakfast and went to church. Of course, it was a run-down building, but they were extremely proud and happy to be in it. Went to a local pharmacy, with the help of our tour guide and Wanda (retired nurse) we were able to get my prescriptions, 3 of them for $8. Didn't need prescription.

Women share their culture with the Americans

P.M. Celebration banquet with the purple bus people. After dinner we were entertained by the Belarus National Folk Art Group from the Belarus State University in full costumes and they played, sang and danced. And in the dancing they included Wanda and me. Wow was that ever a fast dance and fun.

Dinner and singing with our new friends.

Then we went to the 9th floor lobby for our green bus get-together for a time of sharing about each other, some touching farewells, also with our Interpreters...who were all fantastic Christians. Worked 'til midnight packing.

Monday, July 26 - left Hotel in Minsk at 1:30. Arrived in Vienna 7 p.m. for an overnight. Took cab to hotel only to find out several of us were not registered. We went in groups out to eat while the hotel situation was worked out. Some went for Pizza while the rest of us went to a German place and ended up with apple strudel for dessert. Excellent. No time to see anything in Vienna.

Tuesday - off to the airport heading for JFK. The long flight. Lots of time getting out of Vienna on Austrian Air.

After going thru a very speedy customs at JFK, we headed to our hotel Holiday Inn Express (not a good place or area, run by foreigners) so we ordered pizza (ugh!) to be brought in.

Finally headed home via Atlanta (more waiting) and arrived home on schedule at 6 p.m. PST on Wed. Were picked up by friend, Sharon Donaldson.

A very very rewarding trip ... and very tiring. The poorest of all the places I've been in the former Soviet Union. This was my 8th trip. And am VERY THANKFUL to be able to serve these people and so thankful to be able to worship in this Country of ours. SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.

Love to you all - Marie

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