A Work In Progress

Humanitarian work is on our mind everyday. We have a team of other senior couples we work with and communicate with several times a week, sometimes every day. These humanitarian couples serve in the United Kingdom, Portugal, Sweden, Cape Verde, and us here in the Baltic States. We have traveled to several charity organizations working to develop good projects with them. The approval process can take some time while other approval comes quickly.

For example, recently, a boat with 90 passengers set off from Gambia, Africa to immigrate to Spain and ran out of gas. The boat floated with the currents until rescuers brought them to Boa Vista an island in Cape Verde. The local authorities helped the passengers who were dehydrated and hungry. Two passengers died on the boat ride. They were taken to an indoor soccer stadium and attended to. The local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints heard about this and responded with provisions for several days’ worth of food. Because of the seriousness, this project was quickly approved. We expect more needs forthcoming and will surely help again as needed.

Most all other projects are a slower process. For example, an organization who mentors at-risk youth may take several weeks. One project proposal is to provide computer and projectors for continuing education in a local prison. Projects such as this require visits to the facility, project write-up and development, legal agreements and monies to provide educational equipment for the benefit to teach and mentor. This equipment will eventually help hundreds of at-risk youth by teaching basic reading and writing, develop career building skills, and encourage self-reliance. But proper development takes patience, cooperation, and planning to insure positive results.

Many projects require translating communications. We us Google Translate to decipher what foreign language emails and documents say. We also use human translators to help us have discussions with directors and managers of a variety of charity organizations. If they speak a foreign language like Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian or Russian we figure out ways to communicate so our work is not hindered. 

Traveling is another aspect of developing humanitarian projects. We have traveled to cities within Latvia and Lithuania to meet with charity organizations. Next week, we travel to Finland to meet directors of a local food bank to develop a project. The United Kingdom has many projects ongoing which involve refugee and asylum seekers assistance. Our local church congregations are actively involved in helpful projects that are kindly assisting the vulnerable populations find food, clothing, housing, jobs and other much needed help.

A driving principle of our work is to help in ways our Savior Jesus Christ has set an example for us to follow. He helped the stranger, the sickly, the blind, hungry, or down-trodden who are without hope. He brought his light and love to all, and in a small way; I hope to be directed to those whose prayers will be answered by stepping forward with a helping hand and a kind heart.

Winter Magic in Liepaja

Greg and I travelled to Liepaja, Latvia for humanitarian project development but what we found was something unexpected and magical.

Leipaja (lee-a-pie-ya), is a western port city on the coast of the Baltic Sea – is known in winter as one of the most beautifully decorated cities in the whole country.

We arrived by coach bus and rode the trolley to our hotel stop. We didn’t expect what we saw as we neared our, Art Hotel Roma, a town square lit up in the most ambitious light displays.

Along city streets, are the whitest snowflake laces and brightly lit colorful round orbs on lampposts and hang across streets. Wintertime is magical in Liepaja - at Rose Square, where the largest Advent wreath and bridge leads you across the Square of Roses. 

A gigantic bright Christmas tree with thousands of LED lights and colorful round bulbs are displayed. Across the street,

an enormous hot air balloon brightly lit ready for launch with the help of an elf. The whole square is very magical and reminiscent of a fairy tale land. I just had to stop and take it all in; it seems all so magical and breath-taking. In my life, I have not seen anything so exquisite during the winter than this.

Food Waste vs Food Rescue

This week we traveled to Lithuania to meet with Simonas, director of Maisto bankas food bank. This food bank in Vilnius feeds the growing number of people who struggle to make ends meet. With inflation, higher food costs, refugees fleeing Belarus, and hard economic issues the number of people is growing with food insecurities. Simon has a vision to “Food Rescue” all the food waste from supermarkets that would otherwise be thrown out. Or reach out to farmers who would allow the food to rot into the soil. He has encouraged many grocery stores to give their almost expired food to his food bank where he will find ways to use it. He provides vans to promptly pick up food about to be wasted and transports it to his central location. 

We saw a warehouse full of pallets of donated food that gets sorted, bagged, and distributed on a daily basis. It was amazing to see the plan in action as food is moved from the store into the hands of those who need it and will appreciate it. Maisteo Bankas provides food for over 120,000 people every year.

Simon has been working on expanding this operation. He has a few paid employees but also gets numerous volunteers which help make this non-profit organization work so well. As we toured the  warehouse, we saw numerous people moving food pallets, others organizing boxed food, yet others documenting the donations. Stores require documentation to write off the donations. Simon is passionate about feeding large amounts of people. When he was much younger, he helped a charity collect food and this experience has motivated him to be part of the bigger picture to feed hungry people. He also believes there is way too much food waste. He is trying to educate grocers and farmers from tossing out food to repurpose it to get it into the hands of hungry people.

Simon then showed us a small but busy Kitchen in the warehouse where food is converted. They take surplus fruits and vegetables and convert them into soups, jellies, juices, and other bottled products. In the kitchen we saw 3-4 volunteers canning vegetables, others were making soups, and one also had cut up apples in a dehydrator for dried fruit bags. We saw food that may otherwise go rotten quickly converted into nutritious tasty food products. All this food is donated but he doesn’t like to see food go to waste so he figures out ways to utilize it all. He certainly needs help expanding his business so we are discussing ways to figure out the best way we can help.

How the Church is Helping Ukraine and It's Victims

The war in Ukraine has affected every country in Europe. The poor decisions of Putin have affected his own country as well as all his neighbors. Living in Riga, we have learned thousands of Russians have been living in Latvia for decades. In fact, we attend church with the Russian congregation and have met many wonderful people from Russia and Ukraine. Everyone we know would like the war to end and would like peace to prevail. Sadly, the war has caused millions to flee Ukraine and their lives are in chaos.

A few people back home have asked about Ukraine. How is LDS Charities (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) helping Ukraine and those left homeless because of the war?

We can share that LDS Charities is very active in humanitarian relief efforts that helps hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians. Many projects are directly targeted for Ukraine and the refugees who are now part of a growing vulnerable population. All emergency response projects require tremendous amounts of money including food, clothing, medical equipment, supplies, and shelter.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), up to 13 million people are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave Ukraine due to heightened security risks, health problems, or caring for others.

With the winter season upon us and cold temperatures dropping as low as negative 20 degrees Celsius; millions of Ukrainians are at risk of winter hazards due to living in substandard conditions or without sufficient personal insulation or access to heating.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been responding with emergency funding to distribute hot meals, food kits, and safe clean water; also donating hundreds of thousands of pounds of non-food items including thermal underwear, boots, coats, sleeping bags, heaters, hygiene kits, diapers, and generators.

A shortage of supplies and supply chain routes has been disrupted and continues to be a major problem for Ukraine. Most recently Russia’s attack on power plants, heating sources, and infrastructure has been crippled.

Medical institutions and the professionals, who staff them, are working under traumatic situations as explosives have damaged hospitals and medical facilities.

The Church has provided funding for reconstruction to medical buildings including structural frame work, roofs, windows, and plumbing. The Church purchased much needed medical equipment hospital beds, ventilators, traction equipment; imaging machines such as x-ray and ultrasound, surgical operating tables, and patient monitors. Medicine and first aid supplies have been donated in massive amounts.

With all these ongoing projects dealing with the vulnerable population and emergency response in Ukraine, and around the world, I am grateful to be part of a church that works with other worldwide organizations to help with the suffering of millions. The funds to support such efforts are possible because church members donate to humanitarian funds in a generous way. 

Please know that, as an eyewitness, your giving allows the Church to continue to help those in need throughout the world.

We're Not in Vegas Anymore

In December we arrived in the snowy North Pole, brr.. I mean the Baltic States. Arriving in Riga, Latvia was cold and snowy but what else did we expect. Our Mission President picked us up along with the couple we are replacing. We also went out for dinner and then to our apartment to unpack.

We also had to buy/rent a new internet box so that left us without reliable internet for 5 days, so we reviewed many projects. We have been reading a lot these past couple weeks. We are finding quite a few people speak some English which is very nice. We’re getting like 17 1/2 hours of nighttime and only about 6 1/2 hours of daylight. Quite a swap from Las Vegas.

We invited all the local missionaries (10) to our apartment for dinner on Christmas Day. We told them to all bring a 5-7 euro gift for exchange then we had a white elephant style trading which they loved. It was wonderful to see all the talent with these young people-we love and appreciate them so much.

We see dozens of projects for Ukraine and Moldova supporting them inside and outside their country. We see such abundance of generous help being offered to those displaced because of war. We are proud to be part of such an organization that has thoughtfully prepared itself to be able to help in such a big way. Generators, medicine, long underwear, tons of food, warm clothes, tents, cots, sleeping bags etc. etc., and the Church keeps providing as needed.

We also attended a closing of a Food Bank Project. They collect and provide food for hundreds of people around town who are down on their luck. They requested a large walk-in refrigerator and freezer to store dairy products and meats when donated. Otherwise they had to turn down those donated foods because they had nowhere to store large amounts. What an operation to help others by this Samaritan organization. We took photos for the closing report.

We have several ongoing projects throughout the area for refugees who have fled Ukraine or Belarus. Many thousands fled to the Baltics and Northern Europe so help was needed and provided for especially food and clothing. A large cruise ship in Estonia was used by the Red Cross to house refugees and LDS Charities provided medicine that was needed for many of those who were sick or missing their medications. Countless projects are continuing to help refugees.

We did enjoy the Christmas markets up in Tallinn, Estonia. All these tall skinny colorful buildings packed together with narrow cobblestone streets. The Christmas market was busy with participants looking for homemade crafts, sauerkraut & sausage or hot drinks. We bought the tasty soft and fresh gingerbread.

Well this week we are checking out homeless shelters to see how busy they are. We saw a church proving ladles of soup to a long line of hungry folks who brought their own containers. We are also researching orphanages especially ones that take care of disabled children. These are usually in need for some help as kids frequently get the short end of the funds.

We pray daily for the Lord to guide us in this important work and to be an instrument in the Lords hands to do his will in this area.

Charming European Christmas Markets?

There’s something special about the European Christmas markets that have a way of making Christmas come alive. The United States has nothing to compare to these small collection of decorated outdoor shops.

They are usually located in the old part of town and decorated like small winter festive cottages. Christmas is a magical time of year, and we loved the Christmas markets located in Old Town Riga and Town Hall Square in Tallinn.

In Riga, about 20 wooden huts are used to display gifts for the holidays including handmade crafts and homemade socks and mittens; we saw homemade cookies, candies, breads, jellies, and hot mulled drinks. A few of the lighted huts are homemade food being cooked which includes sauerkraut and sausage. We even saw a cute small wooden carousel which was hand pushed when small kids climb on, a large lighted Christmas tree stands in the center of the market while Christmas music played throughout the market.

Tallinn is one of the most charming Christmas markets. You have to follow narrow cobblestone streets like a maze to locate the Christmas markets in the center of Old Town Hall Square. They have enchanting candy striped huts, glistening lights, handmade pastries and roasted nuts. We walked around in sub zero temperatures but snow was falling which made it all seem magical. Hundreds of people were browsing around sipping on hot mulled spice juice, or eating the popular sauerkraut and sausage plates.

Locals sell their winter handicrafts, holiday gifts, and tasty treats; I especially loved the hot black current juice and gingerbread.

The Tallinn Christmas market delights everyone with its coziness, historical location, stunning architecture, and long traditions. Everyone is shivering in their warmest winter clothes as they take photos by the golden Christmas tree. The Tallinn location has been dubbed as one of the best Christmas markets of Europe.