What animals live in Belarus?

Belarus is a land of deep forests and wide marshes, and Herman & Rusty think it's a great place to spot wildlife! The forests are home to European bison — the heaviest land animal in Europe — along with wolves, lynx, brown bears, and wild boar. The Belovezhskaya Pushcha forest is one of the oldest and largest ancient forests on the continent, and it's where many of these creatures roam. The wetlands and rivers of Belarus are busy places too. White storks nest on rooftops and telephone poles across the country — Belarusians consider them a welcome sight each spring. Beavers build their dams in quiet streams, and hundreds of bird species pass through during migration. God packed a lot of variety into this corner of the world, and explorers who visit Belarus have plenty to discover.

What do kids eat in Belarus?

Kids in Belarus grow up eating hearty, filling food — perfect for cold winters! One favorite is draniki, which are crispy potato pancakes fried in oil and often served with sour cream. Potatoes are a huge deal in Belarus; people there have hundreds of ways to cook them. Another staple is borscht, a deep-red beet soup that warms you right up. Families also enjoy dark rye bread, pickled vegetables, and a porridge called kasha made from grains like buckwheat. It is simple, honest food that Belarusian families have shared around their tables for generations.

How do people say hello in Belarus?

In Belarus, people speak Belarusian and Russian, and there are a few ways to say hello! In Belarusian, you can say 'Vitaju' (sounds like vee-TAH-yoo), which means 'I greet you.' It is a warm and old-fashioned word that Belarusians are proud of. Many people in Belarus also use the Russian greeting 'Privet' (sounds like pree-VYET), which is a friendly, casual way to say hi to a friend. If you want to be more formal, like greeting a teacher or an elder, you would say 'Zdrastvuyte' (ZDRA-stvooy-tye) in Russian. Learning even one word in someone's language is a small way to show them they matter — and missionaries who go to Belarus often learn these greetings to open doors to share the good news about Jesus.

What sports or games do kids play in Belarus?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Kids in Belarus love football — what Americans call soccer — and you'll find pickup games happening in courtyards and parks all over the country. Ice hockey is also huge, since Belarus has cold winters with plenty of snow and ice to go around. Rusty wants to add that Belarusian kids also enjoy a traditional game called 'Lapta,' which is a bit like baseball — players hit a ball and run between bases. Chess is taken seriously too, often taught in schools, and you might find kids competing in tournaments at a young age. It's a good reminder that kids everywhere love to play, laugh, and compete — and every one of those kids is someone Jesus loves deeply.

What's the weather like in Belarus?

Belarus has four real seasons, which makes it feel a lot like the northern United States or Canada. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing for weeks at a time. Summers are warm and green, with long daylight hours and plenty of rain. Spring and autumn are short but beautiful, when the forests of birch and pine trees change colors and the land looks like a painting. The Belarusian people are very used to bundling up in heavy coats and boots through those long winters. It is a good reminder that God made a wide and varied world, and that people in every climate need the warmth of the gospel of Jesus just as much as they need a warm coat!

Tell me a fun fact about Belarus.

Belarus is sometimes called 'the lungs of Europe' because it has enormous stretches of ancient forest — including Białowieża Forest, one of the last and largest primeval forests on the continent. Giant European bison called wisent still roam there, and they are the heaviest land animals in Europe. Belarus is also famous for its potatoes — people there eat them almost every single day, prepared in dozens of different ways. There is even a traditional dish called draniki, which are crispy potato pancakes fried golden brown. Food is a big part of how families in Belarus share life together, and Christians there share meals together just like believers have done since the very first church.

What is school like for kids in Belarus?

In Belarus, kids usually start school at age six and go for eleven years. Schools there are a lot like schools in other European countries — students study math, history, science, and languages. Russian and Belarusian are both used, and most students learn English as a foreign language starting in the early grades. One thing that stands out is that schools in Belarus have long been run very closely by the government, which means teachers and students don't always have freedom to talk openly about faith in Jesus. Some Christian families quietly teach their children about the Bible at home because it isn't always welcome in the classroom. That takes real courage — and it's a good reminder to pray that kids in Belarus would have chances to hear the gospel and find believers who can encourage them.

Who are the unreached people in Belarus?

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe, and most people there have heard the name of Jesus — but hearing a name is not the same as trusting Him as Savior. The group that missionaries think most about in Belarus is the Belarusian people themselves, many of whom follow a form of Orthodox Christianity that mixes tradition and ritual without a personal faith in Jesus. There are also Jewish Belarusians and smaller groups who have had very little real contact with the true gospel. Herman and Rusty find it worth noting that Belarus has a long history of churches being controlled or shut down by the government, which makes sharing the gospel tricky even today. Many Belarusians grew up under Soviet rule, which taught that God does not exist, and that way of thinking still runs deep in many families. That means missionaries and local believers work hard to show people that Jesus is real, alive, and worth trusting — not just a piece of religious tradition.

How can I pray for the people of Belarus?

Belarus is a country in Eastern Europe where many people grew up hearing that God does not exist — the government taught that for a long time. Even today, some churches face pressure and are not allowed to meet freely. You can pray that Belarusian people would hear the true gospel of Jesus and trust Him as their Savior. There are faithful Belarusian Christians and churches who love Jesus even when it is hard. Pray that they grow strong and bold in sharing their faith. Pray also for missionaries working there — that God gives them open doors and courage. And pray that children and families across Belarus come to know Jesus personally, not just as a name they have heard, but as their living Lord.

What is a holiday or celebration in Belarus?

One of the biggest celebrations in Belarus is Victory Day, held every May 9th. It marks the end of World War II, and Belarusians remember the enormous losses their country suffered — nearly one in four people in Belarus died during that war. Families gather, veterans are honored, and there are parades and fireworks. Many Belarusians also celebrate Orthodox Christmas on January 7th, which follows the old Julian calendar. You might see people attending church services, singing carols, and sharing special foods with family. This is a great reminder that there are believers in Belarus who love Jesus — and that churches there need our prayers to stay strong and keep sharing the gospel with their neighbors.

What language do people speak in Belarus?

Most people in Belarus speak Russian in their everyday lives — at shops, schools, and work. But the country also has its own language called Belarusian, which has been spoken there for hundreds of years. Belarusian looks and sounds a bit like Russian and Polish mixed together — it uses the Cyrillic alphabet, the one with letters that look different from the English alphabet. The good news is that the Bible has been translated into Belarusian, so people can read about Jesus in their own heart language!

What's a famous place to visit in Belarus?

Herman here, with Rusty peering over my shoulder at the map! One of the most famous places in Belarus is Mir Castle. It's a real stone fortress that has stood for nearly 500 years, with tall towers and thick walls that make it look like something straight out of a storybook. Rusty loves this part — Mir Castle was built back in the 1500s and has survived wars, fires, and centuries of history. It sits in a small town called Mir and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which means people from all over the world recognize it as a special piece of history worth remembering. Belarus has a long and sometimes difficult story, and places like this remind us that God has been present through all of it.

Belarus — Kids Missions Explorer

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

Things you should know about Belarus

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Life in Belarus

Missions in Belarus

Pray for Belarus