Hello everyone and welcome to the Homepage for burnsmission Ukriane!
This picture says it all. Ukraine is in the midst of an H1N1 quarantine.
The Ukrainian federal government has shut down ALL schools and institutions for 3 weeks. We have
been affected as our school is closed to students although we are
running an online session. The institutions (e.g. orphanages, rehab centres) that we would normally
visit are closed until at least November 23rd.
The World Health
Organization is here investigating and there is widespread speculation
about whether or not this flu epidemic warrants the drastic action the
government has taken. Some suggest the quarantine is related to a
national election on January 17, 2010. Ukraine is also struggling
financially and it is expected that no further IMF payments will be
made to Ukraine until after the election.
Last
week, Heather
and I traveled to western Ukraine to preach at a church anniversary
service. I
won't mention the name of the city for legal reasons relating to the
quarantine. The church was packed full of people celebrating their
sixth anniversary, and there were no masks being worn in the service.
Were they not concerned?
I asked
a number of people in the church about their take on the quarantine, to
which they replied, "As Christians, we have taken off our masks and given up our right to be
fearful!" These folks truly meant it and also expressed that this is their witness to their community.
The Burns family are doing well so don't worry about a thing!
McJoyful Christmas is still a go and we are busy making plans. Thanks for taking time to watch this video of Heather at last years McJoyful in Chernigiv.
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