A New Life Ahead

Last August of 2009 after Wade and I got the approval of the US Immigration of our application for Fiancee visa, I started packing the rest of my belongings (books, clothes, etc.)in my flat. I have posted several boxes of my books to the US ahead of time. I was just packing my chosen clothes. The rest of my belongings (furniture, kitchen wares, appliances, etc.) in my flat I sorted out and given to the families in our church in Donetsk. The rest of my belongings (board games, clothes, etc.) I gave to the youth and other people that needed them.

September of 2009 I’ve got my visa and spent most of my remaining days and time visiting my church family in Donetsk. Most of them came and dropped by at my flat while I was packing and sorting out my belongings. It was a bitter-sweet time for me as I packed and said good bye to everyone. I know that I can always come and visit my family in Ukraine, but I will miss my time with them everyday. Knowing that I will not see them often and will not get to spend time with them for a while.

God’s Gift Church people is the family that God gave me when I went and lived in Ukraine for seven years. And they are always be a part of me, they will always have a soft spot in my heart. They are always be a family to me wherever I go. One of the many blessings that God blessed us with is new family in Christ wherever He sends us to do His work.

Read Full Post »

About the Summer Kids Camp 2009

I know that its almost a year since i have last updated this web blog, and I do apologize for the delay. My life was been a whirlwind since late of 2008. I will try to update and blog everything that has happened since I last visited this web blog. So please be patient with me as I try to get everything and everyone updated. Thank you!

As you all know, we had our yearly Summer Kids Camp in Donetsk, Ukraine and I want to update all of you about it.

We had 150 campers last year (2009), and the locals who prepared, organized, and worked in the camp did a great job once again. Kudos to them!

But as much as we were happy that there were lots of children who came (regular campers and new ones), we were also sad that we had to say NO to the other children who came to join the camp. We turned them down because of our tight budget. Our working budget only allowed 150 participants. To allow more than 150 kids to join the camp meant some of them would not have meals and gifts (small gifts), which we give to all the campers at the end of the camp. We didn’t want that to happen. As much as we wanted to accommodate everyone, we had no recourse but to say “No” for this reason.

The kids enjoyed the camp, as always. They enjoyed the games, sports, bible stories, crafts/arts, the gifts and most of all, they enjoyed the time that they had with professional football player Sonny Kingsley, who came and played with them in the camp. It’s always a treat to have Sonny Kingsley with us. And we thank you, Sonny, for giving your time and financial help to these children. They were so happy to play with you! It was fun.

God provided us the funds and people to make the camp a reality. One of the volunteers last year was Lisa Chmelarova. She is from the Czech Republic. She stumbled upon my website (saritaladios.wordpress.com), and through e-mail we get to know each other. She volunteered to help out in the camp of which we were all happy about. Lisa is a graduate student (International Law) who wanted to practice her Russian language. Joining the camp as a volunteer made it possible for her to do so. It worked well both ways: she helped us in the Kids Camp, and we were able to help her practice the Russian language through exposure with Russian-speaking people. Thank you again, Lisa!

God willing, my husband Wade and I will fly to Ukraine this Summer to help out in the camp. We plan to bring some school supplies and other stuff that could be of use.

If you are interested to support the Summer Kids Camp project in Donetsk, please feel free to email at: sladios@gmail.com. Alternatively, you can leave a message in the comments box below.

God bless!

Read Full Post »

Facts about Vodka

Read an interesting article on vodka written by Kyiv Post’s guide editor Alexandra Matoshko here.

Here’s an excerpt of the story:

Vodka (“horilka” in Ukrainian) stands high among the top stereotypes used to describe Ukrainians. What do Ukrainians like above all? Vodka and salo, of course. We have already done an article about the lard. However vodka proved to be a much more extensive topic.

Anyone new in the country can tell that vodka is indeed a highly popular national drink, simply by viewing the vodka section at any supermarket – it runs several meters, showcasing an amazing variety of vodka brands. There are no less than 40 of them produced in Ukraine, while an average supermarket holds as much as 20. Besides, most brands offer a number of different kinds each. Naturally, Ukrainian vodka is one of the common souvenirs any tourist tries to take home. And that’s where he faces the difficulty of choice. Unless there is a vodka connoisseur around to give coherent advice, inscriptions like: “honey with pepper,” “on milk,” “rye” and “on birchtree buds” on the labels can easily confuse not only a foreigner, but even a Ukrainian, who is not an experienced vodka drinker.

A classical definition of vodka is “a drink of water and ethanol, containing a small amount of impurities, sometimes with berry or fruit flavorings as well as spices.” The alcohol content may range from 40 to 56 percent. But there is much more to know about the beloved drink of the Slavs.

Read Full Post »