Moscow West Mission: A Visit to the Zoo

Just thought I would describe our environment. We live in a very large apartment building. There are five entrances which give access to each section of the building. You cannot have access to other sections from you section, only through the appropriate outside door.

Heat comes from radiators who's heat source is city provided. It is turned on in November and turned off in mid April. We found that it could have been turned off a few days earlier as the apartment and other buildings were way to warm. The church did not have adequate heat until we did not need it and then it was there in abundance. Hot water is also provided centrally. Yesterday they also turned that off for at least three weeks for maintenance. This has caused us to plan a little to have hot water for washing dishes, etc. It will be off for a few weeks again in August.

We have had a problem with a leaking shower stall. After a couple of times trying to fix it, the landlady just put in a new tub. Sister Hoagland is very happy.

We are obliged to have our windows open on occasion so I will describe some of the sounds coming in. The sound of children playing on the play area. Men and women talking below our window. Trucks rattling by on the pot hole filled road. The chirp of car alarms being set or unset. Car motion alarms. Trains less than a mile away (they are much quieter than a US train). Dogs barking. There is one in particular that is very annoying. A large German Shepard that has the loudest and fastest bark I have ever heard. It can be Hurd evenings, middle of the night and early mornings right outside our bed room window.

I don't want to sound like I am complaining. We are so lucky we do not live on a main highway. We are just used to a very quiet neighborhood. It is fun to people watch as it is like a small town right here in this complex. Lots of young mothers with buggies, the children are fun to watch as they chase each other, etc. Across the street we have people working in their gardens. Lots of babushkas (grandmas) & Dadushkas (grandpas) taking their grandchildren to school or just taking care of them.

I had a chance to work with the Elders last night as we attempted to see or find some less actives. I went with Elder Janson and got to know him better. We were also able to talk about the needs of the branch. We had two bus rides, but most was walking. They do not allow any of us to drive, and it is too dangerous on the roads for biking. I must say I have a real appreciation for these young, wonderful Elders, who work so hard to find and teach people the gospel. If people, 25 years ago, had said I would be tramping around a Russian city with the Elders, I would have thought them crazy.

On P-day we, the elders, and Anastasia went to the zoo and the aquarium. They are in a local park. The following are some of the animals we saw. The zoo is not up to any animal rights standards as the dangerous animals are in cages like they were when I was a boy. They are building some new facilities, but there will be no free roaming areas.