On Mon, Nov 30, 2015 at 10:56 AM, SH wrote:

 
I apologize it has taken me so long to respond. As you know, we are without power most of the time, and it is extremely difficult to do anything.  

We usually get a few hours of power during the night, and then a few during the day, but the day hours are always unpredictable, and I haven’t been able to do any computer work since Wednesday, I think.  Please keep us in prayer.  

 
The situation is not good at the House on the Hill, because presently 

we have no water at all.  A water line broke on our street. Supposedly it was fixed today, but we can’t get water until the water source and our house have electricity simultaneously.   

 
The temps are getting 

cold, and without power, our 

radiators don’t work either – only during the 10 or so hours a day that we have power. Twenty girls living here in such an unpredictable state and without water is extremely difficult.  So far it seems that everyone is holding it together and working together to bring in bottled water and to do what we can to help each other.  Lord willing, these problems are to be resolved by the end of December.

 
Wishing you a joyful season!

 

SH


I thought you might like to read SH’s update on the electricity and water situation. 
 
There are still villages in Crimea without water, areas where there is only water for some hours in the middle of the night, and areas in Simferopol that get water for a few hours at night only and other places that get a few hours during the day as well as at night. Due to various problems, the House on the Hill has gone for days without power and more than that without water. As I have mentioned before, our water relies on electricity in our house to pump water up from the below ground tank;  our tank is only filled when the city water delivery system is working, which requires electricity and unbroken lines. 

The staff reports that they are working closely together and there is a certain kind of camaraderie (which is a kind of power, too) that comes from shared adversity. But they are ready to have water and electric power at any time — the sooner the better. 

Public schools are closed till the end of the year, or will be closed. Universities are functioning but classes are shortened by one-third the usual hours.

The traffic in town is normally on the crazy side but without power to the traffic lights …. And do not think that the city supplies traffic police for every heavy intersection!

To go to the stores that have not been forced to shut down is to listen to the constant hum of generators. 

Crimea is having an interesting experiment! Of course, there are times in the US that power outages can last for days, too – though usually not widescale for more than two days. For some interesting statistics, see this. Check later to see if Crimea made the list!

I am concerned about health issues that accompany the loss of electricity and the increase of sanitation problems.

And I just saw this:  Associated Press: Polio outbreak in Ukraine is a state of emergency – UN

I am working on finishing and editing the various ministry and finance reports for the TMI board; there will be good news for the next newsletter when we consider the lives touched this year. We are still in need of a buyer for at least one of the properties in Simferopol, and/or more support for the Center’s ministry. Shannon’s supporters have given enough one-time gifts to take care of expenses for two month’s. We need more partners providing monthly support. 

Thanks for our prayers,

Georges and team