Fall 2011 Visit : Report #3

Report#3 For Tuesday 18^th to Thursday 20^th.
The weather is definitely fall like, with frost on the cars in the morning but warm as the days go on.
There is a type of tree that seemed to shed all its leaves in one night of the first frost. Piles of them on the van and cars; never seen anything like it.
Tuesday we didn’t have our interpreter until meeting at 5pm, so we did a lot of little things during the day. First we had to do something about the van not going into two gears without a struggle. We went to a Mercedes repair depot and the boss and mechanic tried it out and it worked fine for them. (so what is new?) We took it back from them and found that the “serious problem” was the leather boot around the stick shift was being pinched when we changed gears. Took it off and Bingo! No more problems. A very cheap fix!
I had to change money 7.50R to the Canadian Dollar, 8R to the US.  We really need a copier and scanner so shopped around for a good model and a good price. Best price at the shop where we get our computers serviced or whatever.
The traffic was terrible, so it takes a long time to get through the city to do anything. By the time we had shopped it was time to head home and get ready for the meeting at 5pm.
We had a good number out again. It is amazing how these people will keep coming out when many have quite a long way to come, either walking or on a bus.
We had good talks after meeting, Dan to Luba, who had a number of interesting questions that he was able to help her with. She is a lovely sister with multiple problems, like epilepsy, which she controls and a son with autism or something similar, yet she has a permanent smile.
I had a talk with Oleg and convinced him to be responsible to receive the boxes that arrive. He is a good brother and can be trusted. Pray that he will want to be in fellowship with the Christians in Lviv one day, with his wife. They both were in fellowship in Solidarity before leaving.

Wednesday was a most profitable day as we visited two homes for men in Sniatin. We had visited before but this time I really wanted to speak to the staff. Both administrators were more than willing to have me do that and I spoke to about 15-20 at the first home and about 30 at the second. It is such a privilege to speak to so many unsaved men and women and to see their interest and how willing they are to get a New Testament and John 3:16.
The financial situation gets worse for the running of these institutions. There is money for salaries (if you can call them “salaries”) heat and light and nothing to feed or clothe the men. They must either produce their own food or beg for help.
We ate at Taco Bell for supper. My first experience there and a very good taco wrap. The only problem is that half the restaurant is for smoking. However we survived with only minor lung damage.

Thursday was to be a most memorable day in two ways. First we went to visit a school Director where Dan wants to rent or have Children’s meetings. We met the man and was delighted with our reception. He is willing to let us have the gym for one and a half hours each Saturday for free. Also we will be welcome to speak to the kids in the school. PTL.
We then left for an orphanage in a town we had never been to before named Pereginske. The GPS did an admirable job of finding, without a doubt, the worst road we had ever been on. For about 20 miles it was either a rock strewn lane or a chopped up black top road. Twice the GPS tried to send us into the bush on a logging road. I took us 2 hours to get to the home and one hour on a good road home that was 14 Kms longer. We now will plot on good roads only and not the shortest route!
We had a lovely reception from the lady Director, who brought lunch and coffee right away and put on a very well done cd of the school while we ate.
Half the children were away on a field trip, which was a disappointment, but I spoke to about a dozen plus staff and had a great time. We gave out children’s bibles and New Testaments to the staff plus John 3:16’s. The road home was wonderful on an excellent highway.
We picked up the new copier and headed home to get ready for meeting. We had a full room again and a good opportunity to preach the word.
Just as the meeting ended 16 boxes arrived from Canada.
We then went to visit Marika and her eldest son who is suffering from a very bad skin condition. He is not saved and doesn’t like to  go out in public but we had a good opportunity to pour in the need for spiritual healing, which is more important than any medical condition.
And so to bed as I finish this at 1:10 am
Good night and please pray for us.
Malcolm and Dan.