Africa Museum in Tervuren

See our new pictures on Zooomr about Africa Museum.

So, what's going on?

Glenna Salsbury

Communion at women retreat

Christian retreat center

Our life is not standing still, it's busy with studies and work. I find Vova with books more often than with myself :)
I am glad that God gives time in the midst of all busyness to rest. There was a surprise planned for me to go on a women retreat in Germany, Phorzhaim at the christian retreat center. I was there for 3 days and it was a good time to rest and learn. There were ladies from IBC churches in Europe. The main speaker of the retreat was Glenna Salsbury. It was encouraging and fun to listen to her life stories and her excellent humor!

Aachen, Aken, Aix-La-Chapelle

All three are the names of one town in Germany, French call this town Aix-La-Chapelle (pronounced like EX-la-sha-PELL). We finally get out from ETF and went to see something new. Traveling around is a pleasure - comfortable trains and schedules. We went from Leuven to Liege and than took another train from Liege to Aachen. It took us approximately two hours to get from Leuven to Aachen. The weather wasn't the best and it was getting worse, we saw snow on the fields. The landscape is not so flat than in our part of Belgium, we were so glad to see hills and rocks :)
As we arrived to Aachen rail station and got off the train I felt like I am back to 1987-90 when I traveled with my family from USSR to Germany. Announcements on the train station left no doubt that we are in a different country!
Saturday and Sunday we walked and walked :) Soooo many things to look at! Unique historical buildings. One of them is the Aachen Cathedral. Construction of this palatine chapel, with its octagonal basilica and cupola, began c. 786–800 under the Emperor Charlemagne. This building is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it is where many German coronations have been held. Second, it is where Charlemagne (Karl the Great) was crowned and where his remains...well, remain, I guess. Charlemagne's throne is made of marble, not all gilded and bejeweled. They say it is so because Charlemagne wanted an empire based on Christianity, he wanted a throne made from marble from Jerusalem. The throne faces Jerusalem and is on the second floor of the church.Aachen has an even longer history as a spa than as an imperial city. Roman legionnaires established a military bath here in the 1st century A.D. By the end of the 17th century, Aachen was known as the "Spa of Kings" because royalty from all over Europe came here to take the cure. In 1742 Frederick the Great visited, and in 1818 the "Congress of Monarchs" brought Czar Alexander from Russia.
It is very difficult to describe Aachen with words. Few things that are different - not so many bicycles as in Leuven, Aachen is famous for its Printen (gingerbread) that is really delicious :). The city is full of different attractive statues. And....we noticed that high percentage of population of Aachen is Russian. At Starbacks a russian guy served us coffee, in the streets you hear russian language...it felt like home :)
We also indulged in hot springs and felt like kings :) This was a very good break for us to rest and get back to life :)
Enjoy Aachen pictures.

What a blessing to see friends!

Our life goes well. Studies and work make a good everyday routine :) I enjoy my language classes and happy because of the progress. Vova is doing fine in his studies. He tells that he is studying how to study :)
The highlight of this month is the visit of our friends Rich and Cheri Stram! We spent three days together - we were in the church on Sunday service, had fun downtown Brussels and Leuven. We enjoyed fellowship, fun, praying together, walking, sharing and of course eating :) This was an encouragement and blessing for us. Visit our album.

Thick Sweater Day Today!

It is a day when the Kyoto-protocol went into action. To 'celebrate' this, Belgian schools were asked to organise a 'thick sweaters' day. The idea is to turn off the heating in the educational buildings for the day, to save energy, and to have everybody wear extra clothing instead. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing Greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

So, we are all warmly dressed - as it is not the end of the day yet :)

Spring is here

The weather is becoming more and more enjoyable. It is warm and sunny, birds trill and chirrup, flowers started to bloom.... Well....it is a great pleasure to be outside during the day!

It is unbelievable to think that first semester is over and second starts on Tuesday. Vova had passed his Hebrew bridge exam with an excellent grade - praise to God for this! First semester exams and papers are done, some should be turned in in a month - but we thank God for His faithfulness and His guidance, we thank Him for the results!

Today we had a great Sunday - good church service and good prime-time fellowship for "older" :) youth. It usually takes place at one's couple home where we have good meal and good fellowship. Usually 20 + people come to prime time. They are all from different countries - some study and some work here.

I continue to work and study Nederlands - which goes great! :) :) :)

Also, there are new photos :)

Ik studeer Nederlands :)

I started my language classes. I go to school 2 times a week - Monday and Friday. Each class is 3 hours of intensive studies. There are about 10 people in the class, all from around Europe - Philippines, Kurdistan, Morocco, Thailand, Peru, Serbia, Burundi. Most of them are required to take the language course either by the employer or somebody else. I am there because I want to learn the language and God made it possible. Classes are really fun and plus as I found out I got the best teacher! Everything is explained in Nederlands and may be only 10% or less is in English. After two classes I can say a lot of things. I could understand a lot before, but now I understand much more. I wanted to talk in Nederlands so much but I didn't know how to construct sentences, now it's becoming more clear. I really enjoy studying the language (this is one of my dreams) and I am looking forward to know more :)

Special season

It has been a while since I wrote. Only because time goes very quickly. We had very good holidays. Special days when we met and spent the time with our friends a couple from Ukraine - Tom & Yulya and a couple from Germany - Sasha & Yulya. It was an encouragement for us to see dear friends and laugh! We also had few good days of walking in Leuven. I personally really enjoy the weather. People here wish to have real 4 seasons of the year. I really like this kind of winter. Of course when it rains, and here rains are sometimes every other day, we don't usually go anywhere. But to have a sun shining day in the middle of winter with temperature +10...I really enjoy!

We were happy to be at the church during all holidays. On Christmas Day we were invited by one family from the church - Albert and Ruth. Very special time! New Year we spent in our own family tradition :) We called our relatives - to Belarus and to Ukraine when they already were in 2008 but we were still in 2007 :) On the New Year we have a tradition of writing down all our blessings and gratitudes for the passing year and than we write needs and desires for the coming year. So every year we have 2 pages - looking at the page with needs we write all the blessings... And God didn't miss even one. He faithfully answered all the needs - it is one thing to know, but completely another thing to see it on the paper. After that we pray... Many of you are on our list and we thanked God for you and for your involvement in our life! We say in Ukraine - The way you meet the New Year that way you'll spend it. It is good to meet this special moment praying.

So far I stay busy at work and Vova is writing and reading days and nights. Exams are in a week and plus papers - some to finish and some to start.

Another great thing that I looked for - I will be taking dutch classes starting on Monday the 21st! I am very excited and we'll see what will come out of that.

Enjoy our pictures - a lot of photos this time :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all our dear friends, whom we've missed very much, to KTS - teachers and workers, to our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prettige Kerstdagen!
Dear friends, Merry Christmas to you!
May your hearts and homes be filled with love of Christ. We hope you have a joyous, meaningful, wonderful Christmas!

Marvelous December snow

Hopefully you'll be delighted to see first December snow. All pictures are taken around ETF. Have a look :) No need in description - my words may vanish the beauty.

X-mas Celebration

On December 19th we had a X-mas celebration and following party. Great time of worship and fellowship. We were very pleased to attend. The program was done by students they worshiped God with different talents. It melted our hearts to hear the hymn sang by the choir "Tebe poyom" by Bortnyanski.

Also we were so impressed that at the party professors served food to students and cleaned after. The atmosphere was friendly and warm. The food was great! The cake was even better! But all good things usually come to it's end sooner or later. Enjoy pictures :)

Christmas Market and more

On Saturday we had our usual "trip" to the town. This time we spend time looking at different stuff on the Christmas Market. It was great and fun! Town is full of lights and decoration, everything tells you about Christmas - but only as about the holiday and season of the year.

Enjoy pictures!

Trip to the Nederland

Today we had a privilege to go to the Nederland (the Netherlands) to visit some people who support schools in eastern europe and particularly theological schools in Ukraine. We were warmly welcomed and had great time talking with them and sharing about Ukraine and Belarus (Oekraine and WitRusland). This senior couple is 83 years old both, they have been married for 55 years! It amazes how God uses different people for His glory and for His kingdom. You can pray for these people and their ministry - they do it for the people that they've never met, may God give them strength and health!

We had a nice trip and you can enjoy looking at pictures.

New pictures

by yakimfamily

Diploma-uitreiking

If you all wondered what the title of this posts means - than you got it that the words are not in English. Today we were at the ETF graduation! It was in Dutch :) The ceremony took place in a newly renovated chapel of ETF. But the reason why we went there wasn't only curiosity, but also to witness the graduation of our friend Eduard Borisov, whom you all know! Even though he could not be present, we were :) Yes, his name was called! We should all congratulate and acknowledge our friend :)

Have a look at pictures and videos in the album.

Who Am I by Casting Crowns

Crusty Dippinhead

We all have stressful day or weeks... Yesterday we went to the city hall to do our documents and one more time faced the horror of documents. We were told that our marriage certificate should have the Apostille stamp, otherwise it's not valid. So what to do :) Their boss came to deal with this, looked at my passport and visa and said that visa was issued for the wife (me) so that means no problem. Huh!?! So Volodya will receive his card soon and after him I will.

Let's move to fun part! This I found in Internet and gladly want to share with you. Don't be all adultish! You'll have fun doing this :)


A. Follow the instructions to find your new name.

B. Once you have your new name, leave me a comment with it and your “old” name. If you want to email this to people, put your new name in the subject box and forward it to friends and family and co-workers.


The following is excerpted from a children's book, Captain Underpants And the Perilous Plot Professor Poopypants, by Dave Pilkey, in which the evil Professor forces everyone to assume new names.

So…

1. Use the third letter of your first name to determine your new first name:
a = snickle
b = doombah
c = goober
d = cheesey
e = crusty
f = greasy
g = dumbo
h = farcus
i = dorky
j = doofus
k = funky
l = boobie
m = sleezy
n = sloopy
o = fluffy
p = stinky
q = slimy
r = dorfus
s = snooty
t = tootsie
u = dipsy
v = sneezy
w = liver
x = skippy
y = dinky
z = zippy

2. Use the second letter of your last name t o determine the first half of your new last name:
a = dippin
b = feather
c = batty
d = burger
e = chicken
f = barffy
g = lizard
h = waffle
i = farkle
j = monkey
k = flippin
l = fricken
m = bubble
n = rhino
o = potty
p = hamster
q = buckle
r = gizzard
s = lickin
t = snickle
u = chuckle
v = pickle
w = hubble
x = dingle
y = gorilla
z = girdle

3. Use the third letter of your last name to determine the second half of your new last name:
a = butt
b = boob
c = face
d = nose
e = hump
f = breath
g = pants
h = shorts
i = lips
j = honker
k = head
l = tush
m = chunks
n = dunkin
o = brains
p = biscuits
q = toes
r = doodle
s = fanny
t = sniffer
u = sprinkles
v = frack
w = squirt
x = humperdinck
y = hiney
z = juice

WE ARE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT YOUR NEW NAME IS... and leave your real name too :) !!

Remember that children laugh an average of 146 times a day; adults laugh an average of 4 times a day. Put more laughter in your day.

The Leuven Beguinage

On Saturday we had our walking tour into the city and decided to go a different road and this way running into adventures. As we walked we've noticed a very old long brick wall. We saw the entry way, went in and suddenly found ourselves many centuries back. Yes it was weird to think that outside is 21st century :)

Here's a piece of history about Beguinage. Beguinages are complexes of little houses around a square and were created at the time of the crusades to house the widows of the crusaders. Later, they turned into an alternative female community system for women who wanted to lead a monastic life of prayer and service without being tied to a monastery with strict vows. These women became known as 'Beguines'.
The Leuven Beguinage was founded in 1232 for ladies and girls from the city and the surrounding area. It was closed in 1796 by the French occupants, but shortly afterwards it was re-opened. By 1962, the original function had long since ended and the entire complex was bought by the university of Leuven. The old 16th and 17th century houses were transformed into modern flats for students and academic staff. Even after the transformation the Beguinage kept its original look as a city within the city. Most houses are still in brick and are decorated with a little garden on the outside. In-between the houses are cobble stone streets. The Beguinage church, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist has also been renovated. The church was built in the 14th and 15th centuries in Gothic style. Inside the church are about 90 tombstones of priests and beguines.

Amazing tranquility and peacefulness reigns inside this little town. We really look forward for the spring to come and see The Great Beguinage in it's beauty!

See our new photos.

Santa!

Delicious belgian chocolate

So much to tell and thank for!

Our dear friends! We hope that you were patience enough and now can read this new post. These past 5 days were busy for us, I was trying to make our home a Yakim's home :) and we were exploring the stores in the town. The difference that we've faced right away is time planning for groceries shopping - supermarkets are closed at 8pm. But we feel like little kids staring at the shop windows and looking up and to the right and to the left and not forgetting to close our mouths :) Couple of times we were lost on our walking route to ETF, but that produced more adventures. Leuven is full of different statues and old buildings. The fall is here and it is beautiful - my favorite season by the way.

I find it difficult to express all our observations and feelings - too many. We thank God for being here and we don't forget that this is He Who had chosen us and sent us here. He was with us when we went through all kinds of unexpected turns. Not only our separation, but the next day after Vova left I found out that my grandma had a stroke and that her right side is paralyzed... Unexpected thing, but not unknown by God. So, not having my visa yet, I went to mom and stayed there for several days supporting my mom and taking care of my grandma. My grandma is 81 today! She is recovering. Even when I was still at home I could observe the improvement in her condition - she started to move her arm and leg, her speech became more clear, her ability to eat came back to her. These all were possible only because of God and His grace and many many prayers that you showered on her - many people in Ukraine, Belgium, US, Britain prayed for grandma. You can know that your prayers are answered! I am afraid that if I start calling the names I might miss somebody. I appreciate your prayers for our families in Ukraine and Belarus! One of the great stories about my grandma is when she wrote a letter to Mikhail Gorbachev, the president at that moment, on the matter of town plans to demolish her house that she built herself after the WW2. She actually received a response and her letter back with all mistakes corrected :) Our house stands till this day. After grandma's stroke everything became clear why my visa wasn't in my hands yet. Though I collected it on Friday the 26th of October I stayed for 3 more days with mom and than flew to Brussels. The most exciting part of this story that grandma prayed a repentance prayer together with my mom!

I hope you forgive such long post, but this is not the end. Yesterday we went to International Baptist Church in Brussels. First in the morning we had a prayer time led by the pastor and after that we had a service and communion. We met lot's of people whose names I barely can recall. After the church service we had more fellowship and great lunch at the youth leader's home. And finally after that we went downtown Brussels to see some famous places!

Today was my first day at work. Fun! I always like to learn new things and here where you have piles of books on your desk the chance to learn is very big. I learn how to work in the new library program. I even have a desk and a computer! Vova is busy with his studies, this week he starts to write first paper and he is getting ready for Hebrew exam that will be in December.

Enjoy our pictures :) :) You will find them here soon!

Welcome to ETF

Thank you all who has prayed for Vova! He safely got to Brussels and than to Leuven. Have a look at the photos :) and thank God with us!

Temporary separation

Due to our recent news, Vova is leaving on Monday, October 22 and flies to Brussels. Praise God that we already got an e-ticket for Vova. Upon his arrival he needs to get a document and fax it to me, to Kiev, which I will take to the Embassy. The Embassy had asked for two supporting documents and then they can issue me visa right away. Insurance and attestation of sufficient living space - these are the documents that Embassy needs. Please do pray that God would guide through and help get the document about sufficient living space as soon as possible and that it would not take it long! We don't want to be separate for many days. We just can't imagine a day go by without each other.

We are so impressed by kindness and warmth that ETF has shown us. The genuine interest and care has been so encouraging during our days of waiting. We are so thankful for our studio, even though we haven't seen it yet, but it's great to know that it has been ready for us and that caring hearts had spent their time to furnish it and make it comfortable. We are thankful that somebody from ETF is picking up Vova at the airport on Monday. We see how God cares and works through people whom we haven't met yet. This humbles our hearts and reminds that we serve God whose name is the Lord.

Thank you for taking your time and reading and we are so thankful for your prayers!

238-2600

Easy to remember. This is not a secret code. Not a magic combination. This is a telephone number of the Embassy that we keep dialing every day for about 4 weeks in a row now. Every time we hear the same answer: "No documents yet". It is depressing and frustrating. But we know that God gave us this possibility to study in Belgium. He will accomplish His plan no matter what.
"Cease {striving} and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Ps.46:10

Thanks for your prayers! Keep praying for us!