Family visits

Yesterday (Monday) we drove up to Stryi to visit the carver/doctor and also to visit the orphanage of Yosopovitchy. Our first stop was at the orphanage where to took a few pictures of the repairs that we done there in the fall. We also found the the roof is literally caving in in one area. We have asked for estimates for repairing this as it is a terrible problem. We brought some cleaning supplies for the home. Many of the children were absent, some in the hospital with the flu and others in bed at the home with the flu. That is a very common health complaint. We hear that there has been an epidemic of the flu here.
The carver/doctor in Stryi was overjoyed at the carving tools we brought over from Canada for him. A brother purchased these for him as this is the only means he has of making a living. To say he was overjoyed would be an understatement. We purchased groceries for this family and when we arrived we were told that they had just used up their last onion. The mother of this household of 8 has a strong belief in God and she told us that every day they pray for "loving Flora" and "sweet Helene", names that their oldest handicapped son has given us.
Today (Tuesday) we visited Maria and Oxana and left groceries there. Maria was being kept by her grandmother, as her mom was out at the bazaar. With the intentions of returning soon after our trip to Ireland, we asked about any needs and told them we would be back in a week.
Then we visited Roman with his five children in a small village near Lviv. Again groceries were left and after a short visit and a talk with the kids and dad, we left with the intentions of returning soon after our return. A washer had been purchased for them last year and we were happy to know that it was still running properly.
Now this really is my last report till we return from Ireland. I am next door using Oleh's high speed connection since our dial up is not functioning at Flora's apartment.