Pastor Dave's Trip to Belarus

My flight to Minsk went well, though long. There were no delays, and no lost luggage.  Even coming through customs went well considering all the trouble I had getting my visa to come here.  God undoubtedly felt I had enough drama for one trip.

The first day here was a day of jet lag recovery. Another teacher here from Albany, New York named John has become my eating buddy. He is teaching Paul's Epistles to first year students here while I'm teaching Children's Ministry to second year students.

Much has changed over the past five years since I was here last. The cost of items here is much higher due largely because of the much lower value of the US dollar, coupled with the stronger economy here in Belarus.  More people have more money, so prices are able to climb.  A chicken sandwich at their equivalent of TGI Fridays with fries and a drink costs about $16 in US dollars. A Big Mac value meal is about $6.  A nice grilled chicken breast meal at a nicer restaurant with salad and potato is about $20.  They have a place that is a little better than McDonalds, a little cheaper than these higher priced restaurants, but no one speaks English there and the menu is not in English. It makes it difficult to order at a counter.  When I was here five years ago, you could get a very nice steak dinner for $8. That same dinner is now about $20. So things here are a lot more expensive.

My first two days of class went great.  The students are hard workers and are very easy to teach.  All of the content is very new to them and unlike other content they get in school such as theology and Bible survey classes.

One student, Humphred, is from Camaroon. He has chosen to go to Bible College in Belarus because it costs much less than going to America where he could not afford to go but he speaks no Russian.  Why did he choose Belarus?  He speaks English and he heard the teachers were English speaking.  As I speak in English, he understands what I'm saying.  If he shares in discussion, the interpreter translates his comments for the rest of the students.  It is really very interesting and Humphred believes God led him here and feels he is getting a great education.

My teaching this week was Thursday and Friday, four hours each day.  Next week I will teach four hours a day, Monday through Friday. The following week I will teach on Monday and Tuesday and have final exams and closing on Wednesday.

The weather here is warmer than Minnesota has been. Temps the last two days have fluctuated between 28 and 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

 My Students on the first day of class. Two are missing as they were absent the first day.

Continue to pray for me. God has blessed my trip so far and your prayer is definitely availing much.

Pastor Dave Hammond