European Bison (Wisent)
The European bison is the heaviest land animal on the continent, and Belarus's Białowieża Forest is one of the last places on Earth where wild herds still roam.
Flag of Belarus
Field Report
Belarus is a flat, forest-covered country in the heart of Europe, sandwiched between Poland to the west and Russia to the east — about the size of the state of Kansas. Most of its nearly ten million people live in cities rebuilt after the terrible battles of World War II, and the capital, Minsk, is a wide, orderly city full of grand Soviet-era buildings. Belarus is a place where deep history, quiet forests, and everyday family life all exist together, and where many people have not yet had a real chance to hear about Jesus.
From the Field Notebook
European Bison (Wisent)
The European bison is the heaviest land animal on the continent, and Belarus's Białowieża Forest is one of the last places on Earth where wild herds still roam.
White Stork
Belarus hosts more nesting white storks than almost any other country in the world, and local villagers have welcomed their rooftop nests for centuries as a sign of good fortune.
Eurasian Lynx
The secretive Eurasian lynx stalks the dense forests of Belarus on massive, snowshoe-like paws that keep it from sinking into deep winter snow.
Draniki
These thick potato pancakes, crispy on the outside and soft inside, are so beloved in Belarus that they are considered the national dish and are eaten at nearly every family table.
Borscht
This deep-red beet soup is served hot with a spoonful of sour cream and has warmed Belarusian families through long, cold winters for generations.
Kholodnik
A chilled pink soup made from beets, cucumber, and hard-boiled eggs, kholodnik is a refreshing summer staple that surprises many visitors with how good cold soup can taste.
Belarus is one of the few landlocked countries in Europe, meaning it has no coastline at all — you would have to travel through several other countries to reach the sea.
About a third of the entire country is covered in ancient forest, making Belarus one of the most heavily wooded nations in Europe.
Belarus still uses a flag, anthem, and government symbols very similar to those from the Soviet era, making it unlike almost any other country on the continent.
The name 'Belarus' means 'White Russia' in the local language, though historians still debate exactly why the region was given that color in its name.
Minsk, the capital city, was almost completely destroyed during World War II and then rebuilt from scratch, which is why it looks so different from older European capitals with their medieval streets.
Daily Life
74
Years life expectancy
100%
Can read and write
95%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Belarus is home to 16 distinct people groups — 5 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
A majority of Belarus's people follow Christianity (69.0%). Evangelical Christians make up about 1.7% of the population.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Deaf
56,000 people
Jewish, Eastern Yiddish-speaking
13,000 people
Tatar
8,000 people
Tajik
6,000 people
Azerbaijani
5,800 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.