More singers arrive, preparations continue

More singers arrived and joined the chorus on Wednesday, June 7. And preparations for the tour progress. Here's a report from Louise Craig:

Ukrainian singers joined the Romanians and Americans this morning (June 7). Great sounds!

The signs for the tour buses were delivered today. Victor Vegas, who has worked hard in coordinating logistics on the Ukrainian side, just put them in the minivan that will haul instruments and equipment around the country. We begin the journey around Ukraine on Friday morning.

It's hot and muggy here. Think southern U.S. 

But we are having a wonderful time making new friends and singing and sharing together.

Pastor Detained in 2014 Joins Chorus

The pastor who was detained for 20 days in late 2014 and then released has joined the combined chorus in Ukraine.

In 2014, gunmen stormed into Pastor Sergei Litovchenko's church in eastern Ukraine, told worshipers to disperse and put the pastor in detention. He was released 20 days later. 

He's now living in western Ukraine and is singing first tenor in the chorus on this tour. 

Read the news brief about his release:
https://news.adventist.org/en/all-news/news/go/2014-10-16/adventist-pastor-in-ukraine-released-from-detention/

Touristing in Kiev

Bert Logan wrote on Tuesday, June 6:

It's been a blessed day here in Bucha (the village outside Kiev where the SDA seminary is located and the group is staying). After a tasty, healthy breakfast, we had worship given by Ray Ammon. 

We then took the bus into Kiev, about a 30-minute drive. We spent most of the day sightseeing there and enjoyed the hot summer weather!!

Poster found advertising our concerts

The young man on the right is a local Ukrainian who is one of our excellent translators. The young man on left is Samuel, one of the Romanians who is 18 years old and so excited to travel with all of us. It's his first trip out of Romania.

The Motherland Monument (Ukrainian: Батьківщина-Мати, Russian: Родина-мать) is a monumental statue in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The sculpture is a part of the Museum of The History of Ukraine in World War II, Kiev. The stainless steel statue stands 62 m (203 ft) tall upon the museum building with the overall structure measuring 102 m (335 ft) and weighing 560 tons. The sword in the statue's right hand is 16 m (52 ft) long weighing 9 tons, with the left hand holding up a 13 by 8 m (43 by 26 ft) shield with the State Emblem of the Soviet Union.

Our tour guide, Heather, who is very knowledgeable.

Part of the Kiev skyline in the distance

National Opera Of Ukraine

Bert and Robert Stafford enjoying some rest and fellowship this afternoon at our hotel

Moonrise over Bucha after our evening rehearsal. 

We were told today that there will be 55 Ukrainian singers joining the Americans and Romanians starting Wednesday morning for the rest of the tour!! Hallelujah!!

Local currency which is about $19 US dollars. The exchange rate is definitely in our favor.

Who's this? What have we found?

If you've been around the men's chorus during rehearsals and other times, you know we all love to have a great time. "Boys will be boys," as the saying goes.

So it's no surprise the guys find humor in many ways.

Singer Paul Dragulin of Portland, himself of Romanian descent, sent this photo and statement:

"Yesterday we found 'Vladimir Lenin.' Actually this is Dave Schmidt out cold after an interview with Esperanza TV. Looks so peaceful, like he's resting."

Monday, first rehearsal day

Monday was the first day of rehearsal in Kiev. Here are a few photos sent by Rune Saur.

To Kiev by Air

Denny Nutter reports for three who traveled by air Monday morning from Iasi to Bucharest to Kiev:

Bob Cotterman says goodby to Little Texas

Travel varied for OAMC members as they made their way to Kiev, to prepare for the 10-concert tour of Ukraine. Some arrived by bus, others by air from other places in Europe, or the United States.

Sunrise over Iasi

The Cottermans and Denny enjoyed a rest day on Sunday in Iasi, Romania, (while others traveled by bus) and woke up early this morning (Monday) to a beautiful sunrise over the city.

Denny, accompanied by Bob, took a taxi to the Palas Shopping Mall to pick up a couple of new white shirts to replace the ones he left hanging in his closet at home (in the USA)!

Then it was time to turn our "hellos" to Little Texas into "goodbyes," as we took another taxi to the airport to fly back to Bucharest on Blue Air.

With heightened security since the events in Europe over the last couple of weeks, Trudi had to put on cute little blue slippers to finish her trip thru Security in Bucharest, where the wand discovered the 4.5 inch titanium screw in Denny's pelvis, and they made Bob go into a private closet where he was asked to remove his prosthetic leg so they could send it thru the scanner. That happened to him twice today in both Isai and Bucharest!

With little sleep, a healthy sense of humor helps. We couldn't help but chuckle as we read the front of the paper bags in the seat backs on Blue Air, and spotted an airline in Bucharest that we weren't acquainted with prior to this trip -- Wizzair! And did the name of the airline we were boarding in Bucharest for Kiev really translate to mean "fear of flying?" Well, it did say "something" phobia didn't it?

Is that "phobia" in the name?

But, as we looked out the window as we were preparing to land in Kiev, the sky seemed to reveal God's love shining down on Ukraine and her people as if he was showing us that he was preparing hearts and lives for his love, hope, and encouragement through our music in the war-torn areas of Eastern Ukraine.

Michael Andrews Reports from Kiev

OAMC singer Michael Andrews arrived in Kiev on Friday, June 2, and sent a few pictures.

First, a World War II memorial Michael visited on June 2.

Michael writes: Traditional Ukrainian lunch, very healthy and I love their style of food