Report #3 for Monday and Tuesday.
We awoke to a lovely sunny day. The streets are still puddled after the rain but the grass is green and tulips are in full bloom everywhere. Spring has really sprung.
Nick had his first really bad “jetlag night” and had cleaned up the stove and kitchen cupboards by 5am, as he could not sleep most of the night. Needless to say he was not too bright for breakfast.
After a good breakfast of good old toast and Jam we headed out to our more than regular trip to the “cleaning supply warehouse” and then to the “food and everything else supermarket”. We were picking up supplies for the orphanage at Lopartin that we have visited for many years. It is located about an hour away in a rather run down little town. Since we first went, it has undergone a major renovation of the school building and the building of a new dormitory and dining building for the 140 boys and girls.
One may ask, “Why do they need you to visit then?” The answer is twofold. They get no funds for clothing, very little for cleaning supplies or any craft or gym equipment. Also there is always an opportunity to speak to the whole school of both students and many staff.
Nick had his first opportunity to speak to them and did very well. I finished off with a quick word on the “The Still Living Christ”. It is still Easter week here and everyone greets you with “Christos vos crest” or “Christ is risen”.
We then went for tea with the Administrator Vasil and had a great opportunity to speak to him about the Lord.
We came right home as we had to get ready for Tuesday and we were all really weary.
Tuesday arrived bright, warm and sunny. Flo’s famous pancakes for breakfast (she had to eat the one she burnt!).
Ruslan arrived early and so we had devotions together. Then off to the (Food and everything else market) to get supplies for the orphanage in Yospowich, where we have done major repairs to the building in the past. We had a problem getting out of town as both Flo and Nick could not access any funds with their new debit cards. The cards now have a security chip and it seems that Ukraine has not updated their debit machines to recognize them. We went right down town to try a new bank that we were told might accept them, but to no avail. Well the traffic was chaotic. Nowhere to park and streets jammed. We eventually got underway by about 11 am.
As usual we received a royal reception and unloaded our produce. We were told that they had a problem with the main septic tank and so went to inspect it. They had had someone dig a trench between the building and the tank and it was now partly full of sewage. The septic tank was full and overflowing and the overflow was running down the garden in a stream.
We found out that they could not afford to have the septic tank pumped out as it held 4 trucks full of sewage and it cost 200rhivny for each load a total of 800r or just over $100.00. We were able to supply the funds to have the sewage removed and have arranged to have the plumber put in a new pipe from the build. To leave it in that condition is most unhealthy and needs immediate attention, we thought.
Some funds were also left to finishing plastering the outside around the new windows that have been installed.
After tea and cookies, we left to visit our ex-doctor-come-woodcarver friend Misha and his wife and children. They live very close to Lopartin.
We found them home. He was outside at his “Carving shed” and welcomed us heartily. We delivered food supplies for his family of 8 altogether. I then made him a special donation sent to him from friends in Canada. He intends to buy another bed and do some very necessary renovations. He hopes to empty the two room apartment they live in and fumigate it to rid it of the cockroaches! We had a very nice talk to him about salvation by faith, not just faith in the church and good works. They are very Catholic in practice. We would value your prayers for Misha, his wife Maria and their 3 sons and 3 daughters.
We are planning a good day tomorrow.
Good night.
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