Brest Wheelchair Distribution Ceremony

Max and I were both interviews by different television stations. It was my first time and I was a little nervous. It's hard to think when the put a micro-phone to your mouth. Max is always good at that kind of stuff, but this one particular news reporter wanted to interview me. My easiest question, "Tell us about your family."

The young volunteers help by interviewing some of the recepients. Here is Elder Cecil translulating the form from Russian to English. Back at the office I type a small biography of each recepient and post their picture on a report we send to Salt Lake City.


Some of the faces we met and helped that day.

She performed in a little skit and was busy in the craft room making gifts. They gave us a tree made of beads and a book with pictures of the Brest Region.

Brest Fortress

The weather was so cold the day we went to Brest. We did stop for a few minutes to see the Brest Fortress. Here Sergie is telling us to run for two reasons--to keep warm and to hurry as the wheelchair ceremony was to start in about an hour.

Brest Fortress is a Soviet WWII memorial. The fortress is massive and the heroism of its defenders vast. The city of Brest lies close to the border of Poland and the German felt it would be an easy city to control when they invaded in 1941.

At the main entrance, a recording of soldier songs, gunfire, and a radio broadcast informing of the German attack echo as we walked through the star-shaped opening.

This shows the part that remained after the bombing and the part the are rebuilding as a museum. We didn't have time to go inside. The German army thought it would be easy to take the city of Brest, but were surprised with the strength and determination of the Soviet Army which defended the city for 30 day.

The Thirst statue. Men would risk their lives at night to get to the river and fill their helmet with water for the other soldiers.

This huge Valour Monument is to honor the men that fought to defend their country against the German invasion. Their names are written on a sky-scraping obelisk, with an eternal flame.

Nikalaivsky Church, the oldest in the city, was a large monastery before being turned into a soldier's garrison club during Soviet Times. It has since been restored and now holds regular services.

Khomskie Gate, the outer face is riddled with hundreds of bullet and shrapnel holes.

Sister Ionina, Elder Wade, Sister Wade, Elder Cecil, Elder Minakov, Sister Lavrenteya

Frosty Road Trips

When its so cold--this is my view "from a moving van"

But inside (with our coats on) we stay warm. These are the "young volunteers" that help us at wheelchair distributions.

Brest's soccer stadium, I liked the soccer (football).

These buildings added a little color to a winter black and white world.

Every city has its large statues and memorials. We didn't stop so I'm not sure what it is--but they looked like priests.

The Rose Family

Our dinner guests for the week were Eric and Joy Rose and their children, Orion, Kathrine, and Mariom. He works for the American Embassy. It was so nice to visit with them and play with their children. Mariom calls us Grandpa and Grandma Wade.

(sorry about the chair--when I take pictures I don't even notice that stuff)

Branch Production of The Snow Queen

The branch members performed Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tale "The Snow Queen"

The costumes were great and if you remember the story you'll recognized the character.

Max was not one of the actors, but it didn't stop him from getting into the "action"

Foster Family Project

We visited a foster family in the Grodno Region to see if we could possible open a project there. We had the neatest experience with their family. Larisa and Alexandr raised three children of their own and are now raising 10 foster children ranging in ages 4 - 17. The mother asked us questions about our church--giving Max the opportunity to preach the gospel. Their hearts were really opened and had tears in their eyes when we talked about the church. They are definitely "golden contacts" and we hope to visit them again soon. We gave them a Family Enrichment Manuel for FHE and the Book of Mormon.

Their steps were made from the bark of a tree.
She collected dolls--this was my favorite.

Katya (9years) and Nasta (8 years)


Alyeksandr and Larisa Syemishchyevy

The girls performed for us the Belarusian version of the Hoky Poky which they call Boogie Voogie OK.

Sorry for some reason it wouldn't download. But believe me it was cute. You'll have to wait to see it when we get home.

Three Generations

Our dinner guests this last week--Grandma Tatyana Rudovich, her daughter Lena, and granddaughter Masha. They all live together--Tatyana is the only member of the church.


The sisters are teaching and fellowshipping Lena.

Isn't she cute!! They sure bundle their children up before going outside. She rode on a sleigh (with old-fashioned runner) from the metro station to our house. We see children being pulled in these kinds of sleighs all over the city. They love it!!

Wheel Chair Distribution

The Wheelchair Distribution Cermony in Vitesbyk was a huge success. Mikhail, the Chairman of the Committee of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection was in attendance to give us gifts and to be presented a certificate from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for his work in improving the lives of those in need.

Representatives from two different television stations were there doing interviews. They even interview us with the help of Sergie interpreting.

Elder Minakov and the row of chair that were distributed.

This lady's husband couldn't come so she showed us his passport picture. She was so glad to receive a chair that was light-weight enough she could lift it herself!!

This man came from a family of eight children. Elder Cecil helped him into his chair and did the adjustments that were needed.

The sisters were so good to interview the receptients and make them feel comfortable. We couldn't do these ceremonies with out the help of the missionaries.

The University brought their students studying physical education to perform and entertain.