Journal entry IV, Tuesday

Same as usual

REALLY sorry I'm late and all, just been REALLY busy...

"
16/08/11

Привет (Privyet(Hi))!

Today was nice! I am getting used to the food here and the cooks know I like to eat. I talked to АИЯ (Anya) today about eating ~habits, specifics removed~ and we hung out a bit. We are friends now :D.
The second day of VBS was fun! the games went well and I feel that Michelle and I understand the groups likes and dislikes. After the sessions, some of the kids kept asking me to go with them here and there. It's difficult to be in two places at once, but it's nice to be apreciated. I received three crafts as presents; one from  Аиgрей ~Аидрей~ (Andryeye ~Andryey~), one from ДАВiД ~ДАВИД~ (David), and one from АНН (pronounced Anya).
I went on a walk with the younger daughter of the cook, 14, with her friend, 14, and АНЯ, 19, we were joined by a few others as we went to the river - речкА ~ryechka~ -. we also had a walk as half the team went to colour the side walks in chalk at the school where some kids were. then it rained. Helper Sergey showed me a video, but not before Michelle taunted me to take a shower under the runoff of the roof, so I was wet. ~just to be clear, clothes on sort of shower~ The yougn boys imitated me. I have to watch what I do. Marina was running and hurt her knee and foot (scrapes) and we went back.

That sums it up, СПАСИБА (Spaciba(thank you)) for listening.

--Scott Scott Simpson ~second part signed~
"

once again, sorry for the delay, and I realize now how much I really had learnt how quickly in Russian...

Journal entry III, Monday

Same again: My opinions, text unchanged, errors left, ~these are the only modifications, to add info usually~

"
15/08/11
Hey Syaoran!

Today I feel great! the first day of camp went really well. We also had blackberries and watermelon at super and a wonderful drink at lunch. I had two glasses of tea and lots of cookies. We had borsht ~borscht~ for super.
I do, however, notice that it is hot, my nose is running and the flies in the morning are annoying. I also saw that Canada is very materialistic; we want to look good, not be good.
There was another rainstorm, praise God. The rain sure helps the weather and temperature.
Hoping to make piñatas. Lending MP3 to "John" for drama.
North American music is popular here.
Still not missing people really. ~ referring to home, not missing family or friends or anyone yet~
I thought singing at the super table was really nice, in two languages and the popcorn prayer in different languages was really cool too.
Saw some of the kids on a walk and raced one; he on his bike, I on foot... I did well, but not well enough.

That about sums it up. I'm tired, going to bed.

-Scott

Scott Simpson ~once again supposed to be in cursive hand writing~
"

There we go.

Journal entry II, Sunday

This one had a few more errors, as you will easily notice, unfortunately... same rules ~inserted text to add info, or clarify or something~

"
14/08/11
Hey Syao-kun!

This morning, I learnt how to read russian. I forgot to mention that thereare no washroom facilities here in the place where the serguys and the netherlanders and I are staying; only a squatting out-house and a small tap outside. Because of this, we wash at the dinning house, which is where the rest of the Canadians are staying. There is flush toilets and shower and tub and television. The same for two of the Hope House translaters. I'm not sure if it is Korina ~Karina~ or Lyena ~spelt Lena; I was staying strict to the letter translation~ who is with Añya ~how it sounded~ (Anya), Maria (Masha)'s sister.
We had a nice breakfast and then went to church.half the congregation presented something; song, poem, story, etc... it was nice. And the older ladies harmonies are very nice; I recorded some of it.
I pet the puppy some more today, and saw the facilities for the VBS; not bad at all, although not superclean. We met some of the kids and practiced some games / actions for the songs.
We had a meeting and set up a bit.
I got to talk to the interpreters.

-Scott

thanks Syaoran

Scott Simpson ~this blog lacks a signature like font~
"

Journal entry I, Saturday

Before I start, this is the unmodified version (letter for letter, errors included), aside from that which is specified in ~this, added information, such as removed parts in this post~. Also, this is, if it isn't obvious enough, MY point of view, at the date WRITTEN, not posted.

"
13/08/2011

Hi Syaoran! ~My journal has a name, so what?~

It's been a long time! ...~catching up on two years~...

I am mostly caught up. Now let me tell you about recently.

I'm in the Ukraine! I'm on a missions trip.
The reason I am here: I was touched by stories of child abuse and sex slaves. The Ukraine is a hotspot, so when I heard there was a team headed out here, I thought I'd go to the meetings... I didn't actually think I'd be here... I just thought I'd go to the meetings until I was told I couldn't go... but here I am! Over one year of planning, the team went from over 22 people 6 people... from Canada.

So what we are actually here for is to host a VBS, a vacation bible school. The four stations are music, crafts, sports and bible stories. The idea is to teach the children about God and keep them off the streets. There should be about 80-100 children by the end of the week. the camp will be in Stepanovka. We will stay there (here) until the camp is over then go back to Hope House in Odessa before going home.

So, what has happened so far? well, we traveled from Ottawa to Montreal, to Munic ~Munich~, to Kiev (Kyiv), to Odessa. From my residence to Hope House took 25 1/2 hours. In germany, I lost 100$ american, which is smaller than Canadian now, due to lack of attention on my part in the handing cash and returning change. ~see earlier post: Money Misfortune~ I have also spent too much on souvenirs (yesterday), but got great bargains. The team from canada consists of Terry watson, Mark and Michelle Bezanson, Colleen Taylor, Marina Mcewen, and myself. There are also 3 interpretters from hope house, one whom is getting married on the 24th of september, 2 Holish people, names (?), and two Serguys (one being the fiancé). Everyone has had a safe, God blessed trip.

Fun stuff. steps of stairs 192-293 = dispute (half step at the bottom. Touched an eagle; it bit my, but not hard and only because I provoked it ~trying to pet it... I had permission!~. I saw the Mother-in-law bridge where newly weds put locks as symbles of undying love. I am billited out with the Serguys and the two hollish men. It's nice. Borsht is okay, as is most of the food here. It has only been about 50hrs since arrival. I now have a notebook (laptop).

~this information might have been incorrect, but I'll transcribe it anyways~
There are 22 girls at Hope House and Lina and Carrie ~Kerry~ and Carole.
First step is doing well also, but they cannot renovate; they tried twice and finished and both buildings were taken by the government. They are currently on their 3rd building.

Okay, I G2G to bed.

It's like midnight and there is Church in the morning.

Goodnight Syaoran.

-Scott
"

So, they aren't ALL this long, but that was my first journal entry. Please read as an insight into my point of view, and not as concrete fact.

--Scott

Older kids (more like young men)

Back to inventing topics off the top of my head.

Well, on what I recall to be a Thursday -- Yeah, Thursday -- Anya and I went to the park, and I think Mark and Michelle were to meat us there shortly afterwards, (probably after a shower or something.). Anya and I had just finished a little run (little for her, little killer on me; the girl has some serious stamina!) and we sat down on the steps, the same place where I had my rain shower and Marina hurt herself. We talked briefly, and eventually, a few older boys came along, perhaps early twenties. They asked me questions, through Anya, as to why I was there, weather I did drugs, slept around, smoked or any of that. When Anya finished telling them I had not done any of these, the one who had asked seemed surprised, and his answer to that was something along the lines of: "how can you live like that?". I had Anya tell him that it was in Christ that I felt fulfilled and did not need any of these. I was still tired and overheating from my run with Anya, but we talked a bit, some kids arrived and somehow, it got around to my being asked to race them on their motorcycles (or motorscooters, not sure which it would be). I declined, but shortly afterwards, the younger boys on their pedal bikes said they'd race me on that. I won the race, and the boys were fairly impressed. later that day, the one who had done most of the talking, the one who had asked me how I can live this way, came over when M&M had arrived. He parked there and kind of watched for a bit. Seeing as Mark and a few kids and I were playing Frisbee, I did a tentative swing to show him I was going to toss it, he shook no but shortly after, I did toss it to him, and he caught it and returned it. Put his phone down and stayed there a bit, a few more passes and he was playing with us almost as enthusiastically as the 12 year-olds. It was cool, for sure. It looked as though he were trying to hid a smile at some points, and that was rewarding. We invited him to the camp tomorrow, but he didn't show up. But I do believe we have a slight bond between us, a young man who talked to a mid-teen out-lander. 

Well, hope that was interesting. Not sure I told anyone this story...

PS: I'm thinking of posting my Journal entries on here... Just wondering on if you are interested. if so, please leave a comment, or e-mail me at: scott.simpson.scythers@gmail.com and put Uky as subject (so I don't mix it up with my Ukraine team mail) and let me know if you would like me to post your comment for you, as I hear many are having difficulties posting comments...

--Scott

Going back? Why is that important?

Well, some people might say, okay, the kids know they are loved by God and by others, mission accomplished. Why go back?

If you are thinking this way, let me be more illustrative: A young man has fallen madly in love with a young lady and he does his best to impress her; he buys her flowers, takes her to the movies, treats her like the purest thing in the world, protects her, and so forth. Once as to their first date together is over, however, he changes completely and never does anything special; he has her pay her own meal, is strictly honest with her with no complements, no gifts, nothing.

Now, this girl has lived without all these previous things. In fact, it's how she always lives. Except that wonderful first date where she felt like she really meant something to someone. Then, that someone stopped making her feel special. Sure he treated her properly, but her friends could do THAT... Suddenly, she doesn't feel so special anymore.

Shortly afterwards, she refuses to go out with him anymore and even swears not to ever want to see his face again for the pain of disappointment had.

The analogy is this: the kids are the young lady. They were flattered that someone cared so much. The person that cared so much, in the analogy, is God. Where do WE fit in? We are the compliments, the support, the flowers. We are the friendship, the kindness, the generosity. We are the things that made them feel special.

In the story, the young man would not have carried on like this forever, like any married person may agree to. However, the young man needs to keep making her feel special, until she doesn't only FEEL it but she KNOWS it deep down, as well as not so deep down. This way, there is that well of love, pouring out from both. Sure things can be rocky, and the compliments slowly recede, but they never fully stop, else the relationship falls apart. Also, the young lady would eventually have returned the favor, if not even immediately.

These kids felt that love. If we abandon them now, they might very well feel even worse than before; for they had had false hope. Why wait since they do not come? Why love when none really love me? They merely pretend so that I go to Church, so that I will be one of them.


I hope this analogy has helped you understand more on why a second trip is needed. And a third. And a fourth.

--Scott

Why are kids on the street? (according to my limited knowledge)

So, this was another request, Sounds like a good one too, seeing as it IS the reason we were out there.

Alright, before I begin, this is from my limited knowledge; I do not live there, I do not know all, I did not do a study, I simply heard and saw a bit. This is what I learnt, more by word of mouth and without any real evidence. Let me put it this way: family values aren't the same as here; there is a large gap. Yes, here families aren't perfect either, might I add, but let's just take an average count, alright? Okay, now family ties aren't always as strong out in the villages as we might have here. The future of the family is a more desolate and there are parents, like here, who live much of their lives drunk, angry, secluded, high, and or many other things that don't particularly appeal to children... or anyone for that matter. Money isn't always easy either. Some kids at the camp got one meal a day, the one we served them. Also, there aren't as many kid help lines of that sort of thing, if any, like we have here. Seeing as they are in a village, many don't necessarily have a high education either yet, or plan to. Okay, what does this have to do with street kids and human trafficking? Well, you can see how this is not very appealing correct? Many of these kids agree. And hey! the city is civilized! THEY have money! THEY have televisions and electricity! THEY can BUY most of their food! And cinema's? You can see perhaps how this point of view, added to a hard life at home might bring the child/teen to run away... Often these kids end up on the street... or on the market. Why? because they have no money to make money! They have no friends, no help, live there illegally, what can they do? Go home? NEVER. The freedom is too much. These kids can get hooked on drugs, often do, or glue, or something.

Okay, so that's how they get THERE. now the question arises: "WHY in the world were you not helping THEM instead of hosting a silly Bible camp?". Well, as stated in a previous post, we were there on a preventative measure. There is a place called First Step, where street kids can go to get food and education first-aid, and help. This place is not a fabulous structure unfortunately. This is because the government has already confiscated two previous centers, right after renovations were complete.

Sorry for all the round about, sorry for a caps and stuff, but I think they help get the message through.

--Scott

Flies

As requested.

Flies. These were not a problem during the day, in the village, the camp. They were there, but scarcely so. We weren't bothered, unless one very rarely landed on your food, seeing as we ate outside sometimes, but that is to be expected. Night falls, however, and we head to our respective sleeping quarters; the other five Canadians with one interpreter, two interpreters together and the rest of us guys. Three buildings. Well, it would appear that we boys either REALLY stunk, or that the flies simply liked the place, but once the sun was down, and the lights still on, there was a fly for every 10cm squared. This might seem exaggerated, but it isn't. The first night wasn't as bad, but the second was worse, and one of the Sergeys, the one in my room, who said we might as well leave the flies alone, asked to have the flyswatter from me and went on a frenzy, pretty accurate, might I add. This is just to show that there were a LOT of flies. What had to be done was hunt the flies for a while, turn off the light, before more arrived, let the darkness lull the remaining ones to sleep, then we could try to sleep, because they would otherwise land on us, like on our face. The same went for the morning. As soon as the sun rises, the flies woke up, flew around, and landed on us, waking us up... twas around 5 in the morning, and we only really got to bed at midnight, on average.

There we are, hope this is interesting :D


--Scott

Subjects?

Once again, I forgot to post yesterday, sorry. :P 


I don't know, what should I talk about? Multiple idea's preferable. What would you like to know? I know there are people reading some posts, what do you want to hear about? I'm simply running slightly low on motivation to write something, since I'm not sure any of my posts are interesting.


Please leave a comment stating a desired topic, or e-mail me. And comments on other posts are encouraged, please.


--Scott

Cloudy with a chance of rain

You want to hear something amazing about the weather? It was warm! Okay, it was summer, not so amazing. But it was WARM! Yes, I heard you the first time... I mean it wasn't Hot! it was WARM. Why? It was supposed to be hot. But God provided us with some comfortable conditions. he had it rain. Every evening, I think with only one exception while out in the village. It cooled the next day just enough to keep us at a bearable temperature. It was a bit hot, but not too bad. We were all thirsty day long, but nothing terrible and there was usually a bit of water to be had anyways. The rain never truly inconvenienced us, expecting the ONE time it rained after the camp as we were hanging out with the kids. That time, I had a "shower" after Michelle said I could probably have one in this kind of down-pour. Not an inconvenient, but Marina went running with one of the boys and fell, scraping her knee and foot pretty badly. This ended in giving the Lord more glory in the end, as  she healed. The rain let up just a little after that and we walked back in the sunshine.

I thought it was pretty cool, that God sent rain to cool us off.

--Scott

Travel in the town

Travelling in the village of Stepanovka was not an issue. Everything was close together, we could walk anywhere. However, transporting supplies, luggage, and equipment was more difficult. We were blessed through Vladmir, the local pastor, who drove us around and helped us find places when we were new and unfamiliar to the area. I know most of the area by heart by now, or at least the area where we ate, ran the program, where the churches are and the stores. I suppose that's about half the overall area. Perhaps. Being the main roads. Oh well, lol. Pastor Vlad was a great help to us all, helping us bring supplies to and from the camp every day, as well as much needed water. Without him, we would have been very much more tired and tied down; we would have been less useful and energetic.

Memories

I'll keep this short for now.

I keep seeing people that remind me of people I met in the Ukraine. Most of these reminders are physical, appearance. This just showed me how materialistic we really are here; I remembered my friends by someone's appearances, therefore I distinguished my friends by appearance. Why not recognize them by how they laugh, they talk, they joke, they walk, they sing? Why do we, or at least I, notice people by their appearances? Is that fair? Am I the only one? I have a strong feeling I am not. If you are like me, please let me, and yourself know it. We aren't being fair by noticing the outside first before the inside. If it's a stranger that we have only just met, it might be the ONLY thing to compare, but what about your friends? Many probably are very similar to each other, but did you ever notice it? Putting it out there.

I remember these people by appearance mostly, but actions also, far a handful.

Try thinking on this.

--Scott

Baa-aack

Okay, I was gone like two full weeks and a day.

It doesn't appear anyone checks my site unless I put a post about it, so perhaps people are caught up? Either way, I shall commence posting once again, I'm just not sure of frequency. lol.

So, This post is just to say I am back and to remind, if not inform, you, the reader, what this VBS (Vacation Bible School) was for. Yeah, some might think, well you went out WHERE and spent HOW much on ONE VBS? Well here is the round about answer to why. Did you know the Ukraine is a human trafficking hot-spot? did you also know that most of these humans being trafficked are young adults and children? And typically speaking, it isn't a kidnapping or anything, but a ruse. One may offer a homeless and/or hopeless person a job in another country or city. Well few of these people are heard of again. Seeing as street children, children fresh out of orphanages and other desperate children are easy, common targets, there was a prevention method set up. What if these kids weren't on the streets in the first place? What if they were content in their villages, not looking for leisure or glory in the cities? What if the families learnt about God's love for them? Would that not make a difference?

Hope that that is clear to all. you can always ask questions, request a topic or correct me when I'm wrong (hey, I'm bound to say something out of place at some point right?).

--Scott