HOUCHINS WORKS IN CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN BELARUS, POLAND

Julie Houchins of Marble Hill, is a junior at Union University in Jackson, Tenn. and is majoring in elementary education. She is the daughter of Tom and Darlene Houchins.

But from Dec. 28 through Jan. 9 Houchins traveled on a mission trip to help children in a foreign country.

She traveled to Belarus on a volunteer basis with the American Belarussian Relief Organization. Belarus is situated near Poland and was a part of Russia but is now free. The trip consisted of 51 people including a family with a 6 1/2 year old and members all the way up to 60.

The trip served a three-fold purpose: to meet and make relationships with the people; to encourage fellow Christians there; and spend time with the children.

While in Belarus, Houchins worked in a children's hospital in Mogilev which has a population of 360,000. The children were suffering from illnesses (mostly leukemia) due to the Chernobyl nuclear accident in April, 1986.

She lived with a family named Demyanuk and celebrated Christmas and New year's while there. "Their Christmas is Jan. 7 but isn't celebrated due to the fact they weren't allowed to worship for so many years. They are just now beginning again. New Year's is celebrated similar to the USA," Houchins commented.

Houchins is back at the university after a rewarding experience in a foreign land, and making many new friends.