Belarus is an ancient Slavonic country, situated in the East of Europe. The land-locked country is small, bordered by Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia and Russia, with a population of 11 million. The capital city, Minsk, is an old-world European city with beautiful stately buildings and wide tree-lined boulevards. Parks abound, and are a beautiful sight, whether under a mantle of snow in winter, or flower-filled in summer. The suburbs are filled with apartment blocks of varying heights and sizes. On the outside these buildings are drab, and in a state of disrepair, but inside is a different story. Belarusians are proud housekeepers, and individual apartments are decorated to reflect the taste of the owners. In a country of uniformity, home is a haven of individuality.

Country

The country-side is flat, with the highest point in the country being Dzjarzhinskaya, 345 meters above sea level. Belarus is land locked with no coastline and therefore no sea port but it does have many slow flowing rivers. More than half of Belarus is farm land, interspersed with stretches of birch and fir forests. Green rolling hills make this a pleasant, restful landscape. Dotted across the countryside are wooden villages, painted mainly in Belarusian blue, seemingly frozen in the 18th century.

Climate

The climate is a continental one, with winter being a chilly -4 to -8 with almost constant snow cover between December and April. During the summer months of June to August, the average temperature will reach maybe 20C. Most rain falls during these months. These are the months when families work on their dachas, tilling the soil and tending vegetable crops so that there will be food for the winter. Almost every mother preserves the produce of summer to provide for her family in winter.

The history

The history of Belarus has been one of war. Being situated on the crossroads of the commercial routes from the East to the West, and the North to the South of Europe, Belarus was doomed to be the focus of infinite wars for control of the strategic land routes. At various times it has been invaded by Russians and Poles, Germans and Swedes, Danes, French and Ukrainians. The final time war was fought on Belarusian soil was during World War II (called the Great Patriotic War by Russians) when 25% of the population died. Belarus has only recently returned to its pre-war population figures. Now the country is dying again. The death rate exceeds the birth rate so that population numbers are actually decreasing.

Probably the final blow in Belarusian history was Chernobyl, when a nuclear reactor exploded at a power plant on the border of Belarus and Ukraine in 1986. 23% of Belarusian land, and many hundreds of thousands of its people are still suffering from the after effects of radiation. Children who were not even born at that time are dying from radiation- related cancers and are affected by other diseases such as thyroid and kidney problems, calcium deficiencies and respiratory problems.

Economic situation

The present economic situation borders on desperate. Official inflation figures are not readily available, but a trip to the grocery store tells all. Over the past year prices of staples such as bread and potatoes have more than doubled. Wages remain low so many people struggle to live.

Religion

In a country where atheism was the official 'religion' for 70 years, the Belarusian people have little hope. They have nothing to look forward to except more hard work just in order to survive. Alcoholism is rife in the community. Smoking and drug abuse are major problems. As is the case in trauma in any country, the children are the ones affected most. They have no voice, no choice and no power. Many are abused, many are abandoned, and 33,000 of them live in orphanages, even though their parents may be alive. They have no-one who loves them and cares for them.

BUT there is hope for Belarus, as there is for any country where Christians are willing to abide by II Chronicles 7:14. "If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land"
Belarusians need to hear the word of the Lord. Churches are growing, as nationals preach the Gospel. People are hungry for something better than what they have had and many embrace the love of God readily.

the law

Recently a law was set into place which has to do with religious "freedom" and religious organizations in Belarus. The law was accepted by the Supreme Chamber of the National gathering of the Republic of Belarus on the 2nd of October. Then President Lukashenko decided to sign it. Now Christians cannot legally hold religious meetings in their homes! The following are other consequences due to this law:

consequences of law

1. The advantage of one religious organization over others.
2. It is not possible to create and lead the Christian camps for children and teens.
3. It is hard to start the new churches.
4. It is prohibited to hold services in flats and private homes.
5. It's not possible to give out the Christian literature, audio and video materials outside the church.
6. The work of missionaries and evangelists is restricted.
7. The officials can stop the work and existance of churches and religious organizations.

Please pray for:

1. Belarusians to hear the Word of the Lord. It is becoming more and more difficult for churches to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ as the government brings more and more restrictions to bear on Churches. Pray for Christians to be bold in declaring the Word of the Lord, to bring life and hope to the Belarusian people.

2. The children who suffer because of the ills of their society. Especially pray that children in orphanages will hear of the Heavenly Father who loves them and desires to care for them.

3. The government to arise, to stand firm against corruption and dishonesty. Proverbs 14:34 "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

4. God's grace and mercy to be extended to the people and the land - that total healing might be effected and the scourge of Chernobyl be removed.