Verenich Sergei.
General information about Druysk
The Braslav area is one of the most beautiful spots in Belarus. Therefore many people come for recreation. It is very promising and advantageous to have rest here. Many people understand it now and they make money on it. There are no monopolists among employers in the Braslav district.
The settlement of Druya is first mentioned under year 1386. The village of Druyka is situated 14 miles down the river Druyka. This river links together a lot of lakes forming a water system.
This area is at the junction of the state borders of Latvia, Lithuania and Belarus. Druysk is situated 5 miles away from the Latvian border.
The population of the area is 37,200 people. (2001)
Nationalities rates:
- Belarusians - 5,2 %
- Polish - 27 %
- Russians - 16 %
There also Ukrainians, Polish, Jews, Lithuanians, Tatars, Gypsies represented here.
Most of the population are Roman Catholics (14 congregations), Russian Orthodox (7 congregations), Old Russian Orthodox (6 congregations), Baptists (2 congregations), Muslim (1 congregation). There are 38 settlements at the territory of the Druysk township. Most of the territory of the Druysk township is occupied by the Braslav Lakes National Park.
The word "Druysk" originates from a Baltic language and is translated as "broad, large".
A missionary report of Verenich Sergei
The town where I have my ministry is rather a special place. The Catholics constitute about 80%, the Russian Orthodox - 10%, about 6% - old believers, 4% - Baptists. There are two Baptist churches in the district. Many people I talked to realize that our church teaches the truth but they are afraid to be Уblack sheepФ. People got used to separate УbigФ sins from УsmallФ sins. They do not want to get rid of their prejudices and to stop to sin. Parents do not want their children to attend the Baptist church. Most of them do not go to any church at all although they call themselves Orthodox or Catholics.
I consider it very important that people see in me not only a person reading books and preaching, but a person who works with his own hands. That is why at present I do small repairs in the church building and in my house, getting them ready for cold winter. There were two big events in this month - opening the Sunday school and Harvest-day. Some unsaved people visited the church.
I try to have good relationship with my neighbors, to help them in everything, but sometimes the help is not used for good. Once a man came to me and asked to lend some money to pay the property-tax. In the evening he was drunk. It was a lesson for me. God teaches us through our mistakes as well. Serving God is a harmony of joy and sorrow, happiness and disappointment. No sphere of our life can offer us so many pleasant moments as serving God.
Our graduates:
