In the States I believe one may go online and pay all of one's bills including utility bills. If not online, one can simply write a check, slip it into an envelope and mail it. Not so in Kherson. Utilities are paid only in person by going to any one of a number of what I will call "State" banks.

It's important to find the right day and the right time to visit one of the "State" banks in order to pay your utilities. That is, not on a day when pensioners are either receiving their pensions (which they have to go to the bank to pick up), or whether they are attempting to complete some forms or some process due to a change in their pensions or in some policy relating to pensions. Please don't misunderstand, I am not speaking negatively regarding pensioners. In fact, it's quite difficult for many of them just to get to the bank to receive their pension money and then have to wait in long lines. In addition, pensions aren't keeping up with the rapid increase in inflation here.

Yesterday I picked the wrong day. I approached several banks the day before which both had long lines of people waiting to get in. I was sure that yesterday would be a good time, because of all the activity the day before. So during my "outing" to do my errands, I included the bank on my schedule. Still crowded, though not like the day before, I decided to find a place in line and wait it out. However, this can be a challenge. There were lots and lots of people when I first entered the bank huddled around each of the few "windows" where a clerk was sitting. It's difficult to recognize a line for a line as I know it. Therefore, it took me a minute or so to determine where I should be standing to wait my turn to pay my electric bill. After asking several people, I found where I was supposed to be. Once in line, one doesn't always know how many people are actually ahead of him as people step out of line to go do other things or to sit down, and return at some point before their turn. Therefore, it may appear that there are 6 people ahead of you when there are actually 10 or 12. In addition, one person may be paying utilities for any number of people who for some reason either aren't able to or don't want to stand in lines. In short, all this to say that what I thought would be a 5 or 10 minute stop, turned into a 30 minute stop - just to pay my electric bill. Oh well, it was nice to have it done for another month!

Beginner

Greetings in this new year! I'm new at this "blogging" thing - so please bear with me as I get my feet wet.

Yesterday was Christmas day according to the Eastern calendar. Though there were a few flakes of snow in the air, mostly it was a cold blustery day in Kherson. Not the mobs of people on the street and in the market as just before the holidays.


Actually, it's rather pleasant getting around the city on a holiday - more quiet, fewer people
on public transportation which means no pushing, shoving to squeeze a few more people on a bus or trolley - whew - what a relief!

I enjoyed going with Jamie and Julia and their four children to the local puppet theater where the the annual children's Holiday - New year/Christmas - play was presented, after which were some fun games and activities for the children. As you can see most children were dressed up in costumes.
We're missing the Pikes very much as they're in the States on medical leave. Even now as I write this blog, we're waiting to receive an update from Mel.

It's been a busy holiday season this year, but a very good one. Sunday, January 6 was our Christmas worship service in the Kherson church. It was wonderful to have the group from the neighboring town of Tsurupinsk with us, as well as a number of new people. Jamie preached (with Sergei interpreting) about the true meaning of Christmas and of the One and Only Lord and King whom we worship and serve. So many wonderful, warm and happy traditions surround this season of the year - we all enjoy them. Unfortunately,however, the greatest reason for celebration is so often overlooked in the midst of all these the activities - the fulfillment of God's promise to send His One and Only Son in to the World to save His people from their sins - to offer the greatest gift known to man - the gift of life eternal through faith in this One - Jesus Christ who is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, the Bread of Life, the Lamb of God, the Good Shepherd, Savior, the Hope of the world, the Image of the invisible God by whom all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible - all things have been created by Him and for Him,the Word (God) who became flesh and dwelt among us, the Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the End, who was and is and will be, the One who will return again one day to redeem His people. I thank and praise my God and Savior that He is faithful to His promises and that His word never fails!
Though sunny have been few and far between, today, at this moment the sun is shining brightly - certainly adds color to the otherwise grayishness of winter.

Wow, the land for our Kherson church building has finally been cleared! It's a bit too cold at the moment to begin any construction, but as soon as things warm up a bit it will begin.