kyiv apartaments service
Greetings from Kyiv: February 2007
@import url('http://www.blogger.com/css/blog_controls.css');
@import url('http://www.blogger.com/dyn-css/authorization.css?targetBlogID=35045123');
#navbar-iframe { display:block }
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Greetings from Kyiv
Where life is always in sessia.
.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Current Life Happenings.....
Current weather in Kiev: 0 to +2C....snowy last night, slushy today.Current mood: Tired, but happy.What was the last thing I ate: A scrambled egg with cheese and garlic, cooked sausage and a rare, late winter salad made up of leftover vegetables in my refrigerator.Currently drinking: Pineapple juice.What was I doing before I posted this blog: blogging at "Scenes From the Sidewalk."What will I do after I post this blog: Turn in for the night.I wish: I had had another arm coming home so I could have carried a bottle of Coke instead of ten pounds of cat sand.I am thankful for: The opportunity to work with a Christian ministry and alongside people who have big hearts for Ukrainian street children.
Posted by
Michelle
at
7:56 PM
4
comments
Labels:
Life in Ukraine,
ministry,
weather
Monday, February 26, 2007
Book Review - Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
I have read Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte four times. The first time I read it was when I was in high school but I don't know if that counts because it was a "forced read." I love to read but for some reason I never liked a book that I was forced to read. I think maybe it was because I usually had to read it fast and think about a report so I couldn't enjoy it as I read it.Every time I read Wuthering Heights I get more confused as to why anyone thinks this is a romance as it is just not romantic to me. Heathcliff is scary and tyrannically obsessed with Catherine. It is a very intense story of the dark side of human emotions.As I always say though, those Bronte women were passionate and the storytelling and writing style is beautiful. I can't believe the last movie made from this book was in 1939. I think we are ready for a new movie version starring Johnny Depp and Keira Knightly. What do you think?POST UPDATE: I found out that there was another movie version made in 1992 starring Ralph Finnes. I haven't seen this. If anyone reading this has, please comment on what you thought about this version. Thanks.
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:50 PM
1 comments
Labels:
book review
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Calculated Acts of Kelli Kindness
Blogging has been an interesting experience for me. I have learned a lot of new things about the internet, computer usage, communication style and also have made new friends along the way. I never imagined myself to be hooked up to a computer and meeting people and sharing ideas, but that's what happened since I started blogging. One of my favorite blogs to read is African Kelli. I found this blog when I first started blogging. One day I found Kelli commenting on my blog so I emailed her and we discovered we were reading each others blogs! I can say humorously that I vicariously knit, sew, and run marathons through Kelli's blog. (Those of you who know me, know I can do none of those things.)Kelli has started a blog project for the lenten season called, "CAOK" or Calculated Acts of Kindness. The idea is to intentionally reach out to others and do an act of kindness. She explains it better than I can, so go ahead and read about it HERE if you are interested.
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:04 PM
3
comments
Labels:
African Kelli,
blogs,
CAOK
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Heavy Blog Subjects
Today I have blogged on some heavy topics which you will see as you scroll down my blog. I know they are overwhelming because I just wrote them and I feel overwhelmed. I am highlighting different news articles that affect at-risk children in Ukraine be they babies, orphans, or teenage girls who are sold into prostitution because this is what is going on in this part of the world. This is the world I am living in. The only way I can approach these social problems and attempt to help those affected by them is to remember who I am in Christ. Romans 5:21 says, "So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (NLT)As we look at the problems of social orphans, street children or anyone living a life without Christ, we may see the result of sin in this world crushing their lives, but we can still experience hope now in this lifetime and have eternal life if we accept Jesus.
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:05 PM
0
comments
Labels:
blogs
Ukraine Leads Human Trafficking Numbers
Kyiv Post features an article on human trafficking numbers in Ukraine. Unfortunately, Ukraine is leading the statistics as the country with the highest number of people affected by human trafficking. Children are included in these statistics. You can read the article HERE. I also found an interesting blog covering the problem of human trafficking called The Natashas.
Posted by
Michelle
at
3:42 PM
0
comments
Labels:
human trafficking,
Ukraine
Even More on Babies Being Stolen for Stem Cell Research
There is an updated link on the story that came out of Eastern Ukraine last fall by BBC News on babies being stolen from their parents and then being used for stem cell research. You can read this new updated post on what is happening now in the investigation HERE.
Posted by
Michelle
at
3:14 PM
0
comments
Labels:
stem cell research,
Ukraine
Abandoned Babies, Again
It is a known fact in this part of the world that sometimes babies are abandoned at birth. The mother leaves the hospital and the child lives there until it can be processed into the government orphanage system. This could take years. During that time, the babies live in the hospital wards with nurses functioning as their "care takers."There are many reasons for why mothers abandon their newborn infants, poverty, alcoholism, drug addiction, AIDS or other health complications are a few of them. I know a missionary who works with mentally retarded children in an orphanage and she was told that the mothers are encouraged to give up the children because it is just too difficult emotionally, physically and financially to take care of them. Because these hospitals and their staff are not equipped to run an orphanage, and the orphanage system itself is such a weak infrastructure, these babies are not given the care or attention that a newborn deserves.I read a disturbing article in BBC News today about abandoned babies in Russian hospitals and in the article it tells about how a woman made a video with her mobile phone of a baby lying in a crib gagged so that it would not cry. There is another article that covers the Russia's reaction to this video. It is difficult to read these but it highlights the social problems surrounding abandoned children in Russia. I think this article also reflects the same problems that are occurring in Ukraine.The comments at the end of the article are also very interesting to read. People have many different reactions to the story. Many write that they want to adopt a child from this part of the world but are put off by the high costs of adoption agencies and/or the red tape set up by the governments. I found a link to a blog written about adoption in Ukraine and it has loads of information if anyone is interested.
Posted by
Michelle
at
2:43 PM
0
comments
Labels:
abandoned babies,
adoption,
orphanages,
Russia,
Ukraine
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
He Was A Real Missionary
Last week Pastor George Markey went home to be with the Lord. He planted Calvary Chapel's church in Kiev and he and his family were a cornerstone in the missionary community for fifteen years before Calvary Chapel Kiev sent them to Kyrgyzstan last year to plant a church.I have always been amazed at the incredible impact he and his family have had not only within their own church family but with the entire Christian community in Kiev. Pastor George was constantly reaching out to build up the body of Christ and made a lasting impression on countless numbers of people.My friend Vitaliy Rustamov said, "Pastor George was a REAL missionary."He will be greatly missed.Cara Denney has written a moving tribute to him at her blog, The View From Here.
Posted by
Michelle
at
3:59 PM
0
comments
Labels:
Calvary Chapel,
missionaries,
Ukraine
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Food For Thought
Yesterday I read about ten Americans on a short term missions trip who were "asked" to leave Belarus because they were found singing worship songs in a private home. After spending the morning trying to figure out my plan of attack for my "things to do" list or otherwise known as "things that must be done in order to survive in Ukraine list," reading this article made me pause and realize that in a country next door to Ukraine, Christians are not enjoying the religious freedom that Ukraine is experiencing. I have gotten so used to living here that I had forgotten the big picture.I need to always remember that it is a privilege to live in Ukraine and be able to worship and serve the Lord with my Ukrainian brothers and sisters in Christ. I love them so much!
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:17 PM
7
comments
Labels:
Belarus,
ministry,
Ukraine
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Ping Pong Tournament
This is our junior ping pong champion. (You can see he's a handful!) We had a ping pong tournament last night at the rehabilitation center. I don't want to rewrite about it over again, so if you want to see more photos or read about it, you can click HERE.
Posted by
Michelle
at
6:19 PM
0
comments
Labels:
ministry,
street children
Book Review - Children At Risk Networks In Action by Patrick McDonald with Emma Garrow
Children At Risk Networks In Action was written by Patrick McDonald who is the founder of the Viva Network. In this book he details how he came up with the idea for the network, their goals and how it can help encourage Christian ministries working with children. These networks are now growing all over the world. The idea is that by connecting, communicating and supporting each other, the children can be ministered to better and those leading the ministries will be able to learn and be encouraged by each other and even have the opportunity for training.From my experiences working with street children in Ukraine, the community would definitely benefit from an active network as described in this book. We already have started a Christian coalition group for at-risk children. This book gave me some ideas that I hope will help us bring it to life!
Posted by
Michelle
at
3:19 PM
2
comments
Labels:
book review,
Viva Network
Friday, February 16, 2007
Baseball in Ukraine
Apparently baseball is gaining popularity in Ukraine per an article in the Kyiv Post! I think it is admirable that those promoting the sport are introducing it to kids in orphanages and helping them develop a sport program! Way to go!
Posted by
Michelle
at
1:53 PM
5
comments
Labels:
baseball,
orphanages,
Ukraine
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Ministry Update
I have written several posts at Scenes From The Sidewalk about street children, the latest on a meeting between Kyiv City Administration State Services for Minors and NGO's, and our Valentine's Day party at the day center. You can click HERE to read more and see photos.
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:49 PM
0
comments
Labels:
ministry,
Ukraine
Valentine's Day and Hallmark Cards
This photo is proof that Hallmark Cards has made it's way to the former soviet union and is currently planning to take over every holiday known to mankind in Ukraine and will probably add a few extra of their own to boost card sales. I had to break down and buy this card for my friend. The cat looks exactly like Sina!
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:06 PM
0
comments
Labels:
Ukraine,
Valentine's day
Sunday, February 11, 2007
No Global Warming!
It snowed most of last night and was still snowing this morning. I enjoyed a beautiful walk/metro ride to church this morning as the snow continued to fall. After church, the sun came out so I had another beautiful walk home through a park. This isn't the greatest photo, but I love how the sun is in it. The buildings are apartments.
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:31 PM
0
comments
Labels:
Ukraine,
weather
Friday, February 09, 2007
The Birds
This morning I awoke at around 5:30am and could not get back to sleep. I kept hearing crows. We do have crows in the area where I live and it's common for them to fly around in the mornings or evenings. But as I tried to get back to sleep I realized that their cries were louder than usual and as I started to get my brain awake and working, I thought...."Well....they are loud because.....it sounds like......there's a lot of them."I decided to take a look out my window and was treated to a view straight out an Alfred Hitchcock movie. There were HUNDREDS of crows outside. Flying, landing, taking off, crying in the air. The roofs of four buildings were nearly black as they roosted on them. Ten trees were full of them. Three large cranes were covered with them. They filled the air! It was unbelievable! I have never seen the movie "The Birds" but this was close enough for me! I woke my cat up and told him he has to see this too. I sat him on the window sill and his eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw them! We sat and watched for a while completely entranced.I then went on my balcony and tried to take a photo but it was still too dark. My flash would unsettle them and they would flap up and resettle on the apartment next to ours and in the trees. I thought this was kinda fun making them move until I realized I was playing with untamed wildlife and there were hundreds of them and only one of me. I quickly went inside and locked the doors!
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:13 PM
7
comments
Labels:
crows,
Ukraine
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Churches in Chernihiv Pray for Street Children
Churches in Chernihiv met to pray about the problems of alcoholism and street children in their community. You can read the details HERE.
Posted by
Michelle
at
1:49 PM
0
comments
Labels:
Chernihiv,
street children,
Ukraine
Book Review - Depression, A Stubborn Darkness by Edward T. Welch
No, don't let the title scare you, I'm not depressed. I'm simply reading a set of books my friend Jeanne gave me to read that cover different subjects on counseling written from a biblical perspective. She is taking a three year course to prepare her to be a counselor. I was somewhat interested in this but I don't see at this time how I can commit to it, so in the interest of self education, I am reading the books on my own!Depression, A Stubborn Darkness by Edward T. Welch is the first book I have ever read that talks about depression from a biblical perspective. It is very interesting and written for those who may be depressed or for their friends and loved ones who are trying to help them get through it.What I liked best is that the author talks a lot about our heart. I feel sometimes in pop psychology or in secular psychology the heart is forgotten or put aside. It is comforting to know that God made our hearts, knows our hearts and is very interested in what's going on inside them.
Posted by
Michelle
at
12:10 PM
3
comments
Labels:
book review
Monday, February 05, 2007
Photo
One of the things I really like about my new ministry is that they have centers for older children where they can live and learn life skills. They have just opened a new center for girls and this girl has started to live there. They have caretakers that live with them and teach them how to do things like shopping, cooking, washing clothes, budgeting, etc.
Posted by
Michelle
at
4:28 PM
1 comments
Labels:
ministry,
street children,
Ukraine
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Ukraine and Pigs
Lately it seems as if pigs are becoming the unofficial mascot of Ukraine. The are featured in large displays in toy stores, on calendars and Ukrainian children were giving stuffed ones to their favorite skaters during the European Figure Skating Championships. In a souvenir store last week, I saw some Ukrainian folk art pigs in bright colors. They were more than just piggy banks. They were works of art!It is probably a given that Ukrainians are making the pig their mascot. After all, pigs seem to be Ukraine's favorite food and make their way into many Ukrainian recipes. Give an Ukrainian a slab of sala (raw pig fat) and they swoon. Once I saw a cart at the market with a freshly slaughtered pig on it. As the man pushed his way through people to get it inside, a woman ran after it brushing people out of her way and pulled a piece off for herself and popped it into her mouth. Then there are the stories of foreigners experiencing their first "pig slaughtering" in the village. You need a strong stomach when dealing with Ukrainians and their pigs.When In RomeI have eaten sala many times, but I don't salivate like an Ukrainian when it's presented to me at a meal. I do occasionally enjoy it when mixed with garlic and dill and spread on black bread. I even admit to have learned how to cook it and prepare it. Basically making lard which I then use occasionally when cooking potatoes. I have to admit that the words "high cholesterol" scream through my head when I slap it in the pan and if I mention this to my mother, I get emails from her imploring me to never eat lard again. I then threaten to tell her how McDonald's makes it's chicken McNuggets and we call a truce.When I went online to find out information about Ukrainian pigs, I found the above photo from the first ever "Pig Fat Lover's Festival" held last fall in Ukraine. I'm sure Miss. Piggy is proud.
Posted by
Michelle
at
3:55 PM
4
comments
Labels:
pigs,
sala,
Ukraine
March 2007
January 2007
Home
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
Michelle Knisley
I am a missionary serving with CrossRoads Foundation. We minister to street children. This is my personal blog and my comments and perspectives are mine and do not represent the ministries or churches I work with.
View my complete profile
I Also Blog At:
Scenes From The Sidewalk
Verse Of The Day:
But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing, and shall have wonderful peace......Psalm 37:11 (LB)
"Read Michelle's blog, it's better than liver." -- Cap Carey
CrossRoads Foundation
Our YouTube Video
Blog Roll:
African Kelli
Angel's Wings
Beautiful Feet
chernigov
Emily@ask
Emmychka
Family Frontiers
Genesis:Live
Homeschool Reflections
I Know Who Defines Me
Inside The Mind Of Cap
Mission Issues
Money Missions
Neeka's Backlog
Notes From The Footes In Ukraine
Robyn's Thoughts
Straight From The Heart
The Heart Of The Matter
The View From Here
Ukrainiana
Vilhelm Konnander's Blog
"I love this blog. It's perfect." -- Emily Mark
Alison and her Mom, Cathi treated me to a day at Disneyland!
Street Children Links
African Street Kids
ChildRescue
CrossRoads Foundation
Flowers Don't Grow Here
Orphanos Foundation
Project Cuddle
World Street Children
Me in 2nd Grade
Proof that Yulia stole her hairstyle from me
Ukraine Links
Kyiv Post
Kyiv Weather
Maidan Live Webcam
News About Ukraine
Ukraine List
Ukraine Observer
Virtual Tour of Chernobyl
Other Links
Authentic Girl
Bible Gateway
Blessed To Believe
Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills
Cheryl Nemazie Photography
Love Cradle International
Missionary Blogs
Music Camp International
Samaritan's Purse
Simple Acts
Ukraine Medical Outreach
Voice of the Martyrs
Planet ORB Links
Joseph S. Bonsall
Ron Fairchild
The Oak Ridge Boys
Persecuted Church Weblog
Books in a colony play a different part in your existence from what they do in Europe; there is a whole side of your life which there they alone take charge of; and on this account, according to their quality, you feel more grateful to them, or more indignant with them, than you will ever do in civilized countries. -- Isak Dinesen
Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set-Apart Young Woman
The Diana Chronicles
Hungry for More of Jesus
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.
Christian Women Online
Blog Ring
Join |
List |
Random
Blog Archive
April (6)
March (8)
February (13)
January (17)
December (9)
November (30)
October (16)
September (13)
August (11)
July (19)
June (19)
May (24)
April (11)
March (9)
February (20)
January (20)
December (17)
November (36)
October (27)
September (3)
разделы
дюпон краска
кулер
встраиваемый вытяжка
электропечь dimplex model brayford
дюпон краска
мустанг лазер
zip lock
мусорный пакет
диспетчеризация
электрокамин dimplex model silver (sp4)
светоотражающий краска
ubiquam
dhl
бордюр обоев
срезанный цвет
штамповка
kyiv apartaments service