Sunday, April 28, 2013

Spring 2013 - Report #11

Report #11
Friday, April 26th.
Ruslan did not plan for me or Howard and Dan to rest. We loaded about 5 or 6 boxes in the van, went to our (and Flo’s) favourite super market and bought food items for about20 families in Holovesko in the Carpathian Mountains. We love to go there as the people are very receptive to the gospel being preached. The poverty of this area has to be seen to be believed. We met Natalia, our first contact and convert in this village. She teaches English to about 100 students and has just started teaching from grade 1. We met at her sister Era’s home that has 14 children. While we ate some lunch the people started to come from all around, all walking of course.
When it seemed most had arrived, about 30 with the children, they sat on the bank and I preached for about 15 minutes. Then we took the boxes out and put them on the ground for them to go through. It is quite a sight as they take and swap with others for size or colour. When they have finished selecting clothes we start giving out the food according to how many children in the home. We bring flour, rice, cooking oil, pasta, tea, and other things. Ruslan is very good at this, Flora taught him well.
We had two special families of very old poor people that we took bags of product to. We said farewell to Natalia and her 6 year old daughter and headed home. We found a nice small pizza cafe that had a full menu. We had chicken or pork steak and French fries and some had nice chicken salads and bread and juices for $7.00 each.
And so home to Flo’s apartment. Lubchick was working so Nadia stayed at her mother’s home with Vitali. Howard and Dan slept in Vitali’s room as the main living room is full of boxes right to the door, waiting to be sorted and taken to villages and homes.
Saturday.
Nothing planned out of town today. Ruslan tried to contact two families we wanted to visit but both were in their villages planting gardens. The countryside is full of people planting potatoes in their garden plots. It is quite a sight.
We went to one lady, named Maria’s home in the centre of town. She has 5 children and lives in a small living room and a kitchen. They sleep on two couches that pull out into beds that fill the room completely. She was in the village putting in garden but one teen age daughter was home, so we left a big bag of clothes. Several of the children come to meeting. One boy, who has been in the military got save over a year ago and is a very nice young lad.
We went into the market near Maria’s home, as Ruslan wanted to show Dan a shop where they had good suits on sale for $60. Dan was not really looking but Ruslan was! Anyway, he got a very nice tan colored summer suit and shirt and tie for I think a little over $60. He looked very sharp in meeting on Sunday morning. After the shopping spree, we went over to Volodia’s home and after examining his major renovation job in progress, we went to meet a lady and her daughter for supper. You will remember our visits to Petriliv or Peter Village, well this lady is the daughter of the school principal from the school in the village.
Howard had met the lady before and wanted to meet her again. We found out she and her husband were both doctors and she was going to open her own practice shortly. She was a very nice woman but not saved yet.
We came home and got ready for Sunday, Howards last day here.
Sunday.
I prepared a good breakfast for Howard’s last meal. (Sounds as if he was being executed today!) I had bought bacon so bacon and eggs it was.
There were a nice number at meeting and Howard and Dan gave good words of ministry following. Then a cold lunch and Howard was off to the airport, and Dan left for Ivano.
I came back to the apartment and planned to have a nap and then go for a walk with the family. The nap lasted an hour and it had started to rain, so Lubchick and Vitali went alone.
Misha had supper with us and we had some good conversation over scripture. I then relaxed for the evening.
God bless and thank you, everyone who has prayed for us while we were and still are here.
Malcolm, Howard and Dan.

Spring 2013 - Report #10

Report #10.
Monday 22nd
This letter is being written on the train from Lviv to Simferopol. The train does not go to Sevastopol but is about 1 ½ hours From Simferopol. The reason for coming here is that a young man Vitali, who was in the Christian school in Tyumen in Siberia, is saved and live in Sevastopol. His daughter is in the Christian school in that city and he wants me to visit them in the school and to speak to the students and the staff. Also the school needs some help as they have only been open for 2 years, and as I had a similar school for almost 30 years, maybe I can help. The Principal has invited me, all expenses paid.
I am very comfortable in my own compartment and it takes 24 hours to get there so should have no problem sleeping. I woke at about 5am and could not sleep any more. There was a stretch of rail that must have been like the road to Ivano as the carriage rocked and banged for a couple of hours. The last part to Simferopol was as smith as silk.
Tuesday 23rd.
I got up and washed in my apartment and was dressed and ready at about 7am. I went and ordered a coffee and the lady “commandant” of the carriage brought it for me. I gave her a tip and she seemed thrilled.
Vitali phoned at 9am and said he was at the station and the train pulled in at 15 minutes after 9. It took us 1 ½ hours to get to the school in Sevastopol. It was a nice ride through hilly country. We went straight to the school and were introduced to the 9 staff of ladies. They have 32 students who seem to be very happy with the school. I did a walk through and then spoke to the kids and then had an hour and a half with the staff. They thought it was very profitable.
I’m home with Vitali and his wife Sasha and 3 lovely children. We spent the evening looking at pictures and getting a acquainted. They are a lovely Christian family.
So much for the day, will be back on the train at 12:15am. Tomorrow.
Wednesday 24th
Well I had a good night’s sleep, I only woke once when I hear some drunks singing somewhere. They didn’t sing long but they were loud. Vitali and Sasha have an old refurbished apartment in a “gated” block with automatic iron gates. Sasha is very sweet and a great mother and a super cook. They are very health conscious and eat mostly organic foods but very well prepared. We had a salmon steak for supper. We were up for breakfast at 7am. The first time I have eaten millet serial! A little bit grainy. As I was not to leave until 12:15pm, we went for a tour of the bay and saw some of the Russian war- ships docked there. We also saw some Russian sailors in town. Vitali says they are no problem in the city.
 Sevastopol is an absolutely lovely city. Clean and spacious with beautiful gardens, still not in full bloom but blooming. Massive fountains going to music and tourists everywhere in little groups with an interpreter. We were going to go on a tour of the bay on a boat but found out that it would take too much time, as it was 1 ½ hours back to the train. It was a good thing we did not stay longer, as we got stopped for speeding in a little town and they took about 20 minutes to do the paperwork. It cost him $30. Then we got into Simferopol and the police had a diversion for some reason and we had to go right through the old part of town. We got to the station at 11:55 and went to McDonald’s right at the station for a coffee and muffin to have on the train. I got on the train with 5 minutes to spare. Scary or what.
I have a man in my apartment with me who was not going all the way but over half way, I think. He is very nice and had his lunch of smoked pork, bread and spring onion tips. He was determined that I share his pork and greens. I did, to make him happy and it was good, along with my berry muffin!!
I had to charge my computer and was able to do it on the train. While it was charging I started to communicate with the man whose name is Yaroslav. I found out he is a retired military helicopter pilot. We managed to get a lot of things communicated but he does not speak a word of English. Then another man came in who had obviously had some drink at some time but was very friendly, however he got frustrated at not being able to ask the right questions so phoned his wife, who happens to be and English teacher. He gave me the phone and we talked for about 5 minutes and she then told him what we talked about. Talk about confusing.
The sun is about down and it is almost 8 pm. I don’t feel tired yet but will hang on as long as possible. Still have 16 hours left ! I slept well until 6am when the train stopped at a station. Washed and ate breakfast of crackers and cheese at 7am. A bright sunny morning. We just stopped at a city where Hitler had an underground bunker. Yaroslav said Hitler came there several times.
We arrived in at exactly the right time. Ruslan and Howard were at the train station to meet me; then we went straight to the airport to pick up Dan who was just walking through the door when we got there.
We went to have a little lunch and then gave some funds for the doctor at Strei whose wife has just had open heart surgery in Lviv. She is still in recovery but is very weak. Please remember Maria in your prayers.
More than enough for this epistle.  Malcolm, Howard & Dan

Spring 2013 - Report #9

Report #9
Friday April 19th
We headed back to Pear Village and had a good time with about 50 students of several ages. Again they listened well and were quick to answer questions. We gave out testaments and texts, tracts and candies.
We then went to see the poor Pentecostal family to take some clothes. The husband was not there as he was working on the house. They seem determined to get it livable but we can’t see it happening for a long time. We were able to give them clothes for all the children.
We then headed for a new place for me, though Howard had been to this small Christian Internat. It is in a town named Tlumach, with the l being silent. Don’t ask why it is in there! What a surprise for me to see the “5 star” home. The administrator and his wife run it, they are Pentecostal folks, wonderful Christians who started and run this facility by faith. They have 30 or so kids from babies to 18, all living as one big family. There was too much good about this place to explain, but God was really in it. We spoke to the kids in their sitting room and found it hard to leave, because they made us so welcome. We left clothes.
So ends my last day for travelling out of town. I will go to Lviv on Sunday and not return to Ivano. Howard will have a few more days here.  
 Saturday.  20th
A lovely warm day again. I went to have a haircut; I was getting a little shaggy. I then took the van for a car wash. Automatic but a guy washes it first with a wand and take out the mats and washes them and then it goes through the wash. It did a good job.
Howard had stayed at the apartment because we had a note saying that there was one more box from the last shipment to be delivered. Anyway, it never arrived and we had an appointment with a lady and her daughter in the afternoon so must have missed them. Will call again on Monday.
We had a nice visit with Leana and her teen age daughter, living in a one room hostel apartment because her husband sold their apartment while she was having the baby and left her with nothing. Something like this anyway, it seems to happen often over here. We had a good opportunity to share the gospel with her as we don’t think she is saved. She has been to meetings but not regularly.
We went for pizza for supper and then home to get ready for Lviv on Sunday.
Sunday 21st
Of course, it rained in the night on my clean van, but was a nice bright day for the “driving endurance test” to Lviv. Some parts of the road but about three quarters was even worse than before, but we made it in good time for meeting. There were 6 of us today, Luba and he son, Yaroslav and Victor who was coming for the first time. He is the son of Antonia. He went to prison for trying to get his niece back for his brother. His brother’s wife left the country and took the little girl. They have never been heard of since. Anyway, Victor became a Christian in prison and is doing well.
There were a good number out to meeting with about 5 or 6 looking on. I spoke this week and Howard will speak next Sunday before he goes home in the afternoon.
Tomorrow will be a new experience as I will travel to Sevastopol in the Crimea.
Keep praying, we all need God’s help daily as the opportunities afford themselves.
Malcolm & Howard

Spring 2013 - Report #8

Ukraine report # 8
Tuesday.16th
We spent the day in town, visiting different places and people. Firstly we went to get a sister some prescription glasses. Luba has a hard life but has a constant smile and sign of Christian joy about her. The optometrist tested her eyes and we then ordered her bi-focal glasses.
We then visited Maria who is quite ill with sugar diabetes, but will not have us visit unless she makes a full scale dinner. We had a good dinner and a good conversation about spiritual things. She is God fearing but I’m not sure if she is saved.
From there we went to the Half Way House to deliver 3 boxes of clothes and some bags of potatoes and some pickles, sent from Halia in the village. Everyone seems to help everyone else when they know they are in need. The administrator told us how they are re-vamping the whole place and will have need for more staff and she would welcome someone to help in certain areas. We may have some ideas how we can help.
We had bought Russian and Ukrainian Bibles for the Rehabilitation home for men, so we delivered them and had a chat about Healers and Healing. I think we gave them something to think about.
At 6pm we had our meeting with a good number out and several who we had contacted again this trip. This was my last meeting here as I will go to Lviv and stay there next Sunday.
We were invited to Ruslan and Anne, our new friends, for supper and then home for a good night’s sleep.
Wednesday.
It looks as if Spring has Sprung over here. Wild flowers in the woods and bulbs shooting up in the gardens. Because the Orthodox Easter at the end of the month, the whole of Ukraine goes into “Clean-up” mode. Kids are out of class cleaning school yards. People are painting their fences and workers are cleaning up the winter junk out of the gutters. A hive of activity. We are also glad to see some work filling in some of the potholes on the roads but most roads are still a disaster.
Well we got under way to the Sanatorium for children in Yasin. We have been there many times now and always are made very welcome. Most of these children are anything but sick, but have been and need to recuperate in the country setting. There were about 80 or more plus teachers and they packed into the auditorium. They listened very well and gave good answers. We gave out New Testaments and picture Bibles to the younger ones, as well as laminated verses to hang up and John 3:16’s.
We got something to eat in a “Village restaurant”. The place was big enough for 30 people but we were the only ones in there. We had to ask the girl to put some lights on. There were no menus and the tables were sticky and carved up with initials. No doubt some of the rich and famous who had dined there before?? She had to go to the store to get a loaf of bread and some tomatoes for the salad! We asked for a bag of chips and she said they were much cheaper at the store, so that’s where we bought them.
We were told some boxes were being delivered and so Howard stayed at the apartment while I got a brake sensor fixed on the van. I got back and they still had not been delivered, but 14 of them came soon after. We started to open some and get boxes ready for tomorrow. Some good stuff from  Pugwash Jct. NS.
And so to bed with not too many days left.
Thursday 18th
A lovely warm day for a trip into the country, but we had to see about some boxes stuck at the post office. They were sent with the name of a brother who is not here right now and they won’t release them. We hope they will be released when the right info is faxed.
Well the little village we went to is called Grusha or Pear Place. It seems quite run down but we were made very welcome. We came to speak to the children but the Mayor wanted us in for tea first and kept us so long the children had gone home. This has never happened before, we were all very embarrassed but were able to book for tomorrow morning, on our way to another school in the afternoon.
Our time was not completely wasted, as we went to visit a family just outside the town in a little village. They are saved Pentecostal people. He was saved while in prison. They were visited last year by Dan and Louis and had many questions about eternal security. We talked again as we ate a light lunch meal. They have a dilemma at present as they live in the mother in law’s house and she wants them to move. They now have 3 children and she wants to be quiet. Uri has purchased a piece of property in another village and wants to remodel??? the house on it. We can’t imagine it happening but he is going to Poland to work for a while to raise the money.
So much for another day with God’s help and protection on the roads.
Your Brothers in The Best of Lord’s service.   Malcolm & Howard

Spring 2013 - Report #7

Report #7 Sunday 14th.


We set off for Lviv at 7:30am in clear weather, with Yaroslav and picked up Luba on the way. One wonders how much is going to be done to repair the roads here, as many sections need to be completely resurfaced. It took us an extra half hour to get there but we arrived shaken but safe.
There were a nice number there to remember the Lord Jesus, with good participation. Howard and I spoke after the B of B. We then enjoyed a good cold lunch. Ruslan had purchased some Ukrainian and Russian Bibles for us to take to the rehabilitation group, here in Ivano. We will deliver them later in the week. They have some men who only understand Russian.
The way back home was no better as it poured with rain for much of the way, thus hiding many of the holes in the road. Poor van!
We arrived in good time for the 5 pm meeting but I “crashed” for 15 minutes before the meeting. The constant sudden steering and gear changing wears you out. Howard volunteered to drive but admits he will not make as good time and our time is critical to get back for meeting.
About 15 out to meeting, not sure what kept some from coming. Easter is very near and many go visiting. We went out for a light supper with Ruslan and his wife and then came home and prepared for tomorrow. I went to bed at about 10am and slept till 6pm, much refreshed, thank the Lord.
Monday15th
We loaded up 6 boxes of men’s and boy’s clothing for the two homes in Sniatin for mentally challenged males. We would like to make you aware of the real need for boys and men’s clothing from ages 12 to old men. We do not need too many men’s suits but the pants will do fine.
The roads were terrible, as usual but we arrived at the men’s home first. The Administrator met us and then brought about 25 of his staff to a meeting for us to speak to. We had a good time with them and gave out tracts. They give us a great welcome and told us to come back. We unloaded 3 boxes of men’s clothes and some cleaning supplies. They receive no funds anymore for cleaning supplies of any kind.
We then headed to the boy’s home and had the same privilege of speaking to 20 of the staff. We wonder how many government institutions in our countries would allow the staff to take off time to hear us preach. We unloaded 3 boxes there and cleaning supplies and then headed home.
We have a special prayer request for a lady who lives in Striy, a town near Lviv. Her name is Maria and her husband was a doctor but now only does wood carving. Tomorrow the 16th, she is to have heart surgery. We are not sure what the surgery is but it sounds serious and she is very afraid. They have no funds and there may well be a huge bill. We will keep you informed of the progress

Thank you again for your prayers and comments.

Malcolm and Howard

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Spring 2013 - Report No 6

Ukraine Report #6

Wednesday April 10th
We left early with Yaroslav to go to a school over an hour away that Halia
arranged for us. She had arranged for us to speak in the school and then in
the Town hall. I was sure I had never been there to the town until I saw the
school then I remembered. The Principal welcomed us with open arms and
remembered me well. I spoke to about 70 junior students who listened very
well. We had lunch and
Then Howard spoke to about the same number of senior students who also
listened well. We gave them all New Testaments and texts and were told to
come back any time.
Halia, who we picked up on the way there, then took us to see the mayor. We
had a chat and he then accompanied us to the town cultural centre. What a
sad place. It was finished in 1977 and there has nothing been done to it
since. One part was a beautiful theatre with massive chandeliers that could
not be used because the ceiling was ready to fall in!!
We spoke to about 30 very poor looking people in a side room and then left
them 2 boxes of used clothing.
When we got outside, Halia was speaking to a priest and his wife and 2year
old son. We talked for a while and were then invited their house for tea.
Not very often do you meet a truly saved priest and his wife. Well we did
and thoroughly enjoyed our time of sharing about Christ and our love for
Him. We are not sure if he has a church but he has built a house to hold his
family of 3 kids and have room for people who need a home for a time.
When we left, he loaded our van with 3 sacks of potatoes, 2 sacks of onions
and jars of pickles and bags of sugar. He wants us to give them to some
orphanage that we go to. Indeed a lovely visit in which we gave him many
things to think about as to how we meet in our Assemblies. He was truly
interested.
As we headed home Halia wanted us to see the Seniors Home in this town. What
a surprise; as good and even better than many homes in Canada. The ground
floor was completed but two floors above are started but at a standstill
because of lack of funds.
And so we headed home over some terrible roads, mainly through small towns;
very tired but happy.

Thursday 11th
Again we headed out to a town I could not remember being to, only to find I
had been there 6 years ago and the Principal remembered me. The place is an
Internat orphanage for mentally challenged children, some seeming quite
normal, and others less so. We had a good talk with them in the auditorium
and then gave candies and new testaments to those who could read, and over
half of them could.
We were able to leave all the vegetables with them that we had got the day
before. I think the onion smell has gone out of the van now.

Friday 12th
The weather is milder but raining on and off. We were going to two internat
schools, one that we have been to many times and one that neither of us had
been to. It took us about 2 hours over some of the worst roads yet, if you
can imagine. The school was in a town we can't pronounce and except for the
roads, was a beautiful trip with valleys full of little homes as far as we
could see.
Our reception was exceptional by the lady administrator/principal. I guess
they don't see too many visitors. As soon as we got there, we were greeted
by the English teacher who said he had been to Winnipeg as an interpreter
for a friend, who lived in Stonewall, about 45 minutes from my home. He said
"Isn't it a small world!"
Well we got to speak to 3 classes of very well behaved students and had a
hot lunch with the Principal.
We had brought clothes and supplies as they are not well supported by the
authorities.
An interesting thing is the fact that many people in this town in the
pristine hills, suffer from TB. The children are checked regularly and if
they have any sign of problems they are sent to this school so that a nurse
or doctor can keep an eye on them. They welcomed us back any time and we
went back down the mountain to our other internat at "Appletown" as Yabluniv
means.
As usual we were greeted by the administrator in her office. This lady
really runs a tight ship of over 100 girls and boys from about 6 to 16 years
old, some of which are mentally challenged. We went to the crowded little
auditorium and spoke to them all and many staff as well. They listened well
and were quick to answer questions.
We headed home, very weary with the drive but very blessed with having
brought the gospel once again to several hundred students and staff.
Saturday was a catch up day with repairs to the van and then sorting boxes
of clothes for next week's visits.
God bless all who read these epistles and pray for us. We really appreciate
it.
Malcolm and Howard.

Spring 2013 - Report No 5

Ukraine report #5.
April  6th 2013

Saturday.
Nothing much planned for today as Sveta cannot be with us until evening, so I hope you don’t mind that we cleaned up and took it easy. Do we lose our reward??
I am very happy to share high speed internet with a photo studio next door. They have a router and they will not take anything from us for using it. Well the other day it went off completely at 5pm, but came on again at 19 a.m. I thought I would go and see the owner, a very nice young man, and offer him some money towards the cost. We he refused vehemently and apologised that he forgot to tell his secretary not to turn it off. He said if we wanted to we could buy his girls some chocolates, which we did.
Howard and I sorted some boxes and then went up town for a walk in the drizzle. We were invited out at 6:30 to Yaroslav and Halia’s son and very expectant wife’s apartment.
What a spread. How do these people think we can eat this much food? We were ready to go home at 10:30 but then dessert arrived. By the time we were done, we were quite uncomfortable.
We headed home at 11pm and tried to get to sleep, Howard with Rolaids, me sitting up reading.
So much for Saturday.

Sunday.
We had decided that it was too hard on us and the vehicle to go the morning meeting in Lviv, so invited some of the save people to a prayer and bible study at 11am. We had a nice time and spoke a little on what we do each Lord’s Day and then spent the time showing some of the O/T prophesies concerning Christ and his death. They seemed to really enjoy the time.
At 5PM we had our regular meeting and the room was full with about 28 people. It was good to see a new man out as well as many old friends.
We took our new friends Ruslan and his wife (I need to get her name) out for Pizza. We had a good talk about the assembly and have great hopes that they will see themselves part of the assembly one day. They are both baptized believers with no church affiliation right now. Please pray for them.

Monday.
Well we went for our longest trip today into the mountains to Virhovina, on the Romanian border. We were not sure what the roads would be like but they were some of the best roads we have travelled so far. One of the reasons was that they have had very little snow in the mountains this winter, which is very strange.
We were happy to meet with Oxana and hear about here challenges in running a school of 420 students, over half who board at school all week and some all the time as orphans. What a challenge for one woman.
We got to speak with about 40 of the children in a class room and they listened with rapt attention.
It is so good when you know they are interested in what you are saying and interact. I have used my passport several times this visit and tell how important to have a “passport” to Heaven.
We left some boxes of clothes, had lunch and headed back. On the way, we stopped at an orphanage and left some more clothes. It was too late to speak to the children. We stopped one more time and made contact at a home for mentally challenged females, not sure what ages, and left a box of ladies clothes off and will get back later.
As we got closer to home, the road was very bad and I was pushed way over to my left, when a speeding Honda clipped my mirror and broke it. He or she didn’t stop, nor did I but we will have to get it fixed.
Home safely but very weary, it is a 3 hour trip either way.

Tuesday.
I went early in the morning to our repair shop and they found a new mirror after numerous phone calls. I picked it up and they installed it and washed the filthy van while it was at the garage. Of course it started to drizzle on the way home!!
This took all of the morning. In the afternoon Howard needed to change money while Sveta and I went to the railway station to buy a train ticket to Sevastopol. I plan to go there during my last week here.
More about that later.
All for now.
Your prayers a valued highly.
Malcolm and Howard.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Spring 2013 - Report No 4

Wednesday April 3rd.
Still raining and the holes in the roads get deeper. Some are so deep that you can’t miss them and the van bottoms out when you go into them. You are constantly swerving from side to side trying to find a track through the mass of holes. It is unbelievable unless experienced. They say this problem is all over Ukraine.
Well we tried to keep busy in town, hoping the rain would let up before we went out of town, so we went to visit Natalia, the lady with MS. She was sitting propped up this visit and looked much better than the last visit, when she could not sit up. The MS is beginning to affect her vocal cords and she is having difficulty speaking. She says she sings in the morning to stretch her vocal cords. Her mother was at home owing to there being no heat in the school she teaches in; a common occurrence here.
We then went to the “Half Way House” for children who are waiting to be placed in either new homes or institutions; a rather sad place that often has some very troubled and angry children in it. The youngest children, from 2-6 were sleeping so we got to speak to the dozen or so teen agers. One lovely girl of 15 was very bright and really knew the bible. We both spoke and she was the first to answer the questions. After the meeting we met with the vice principal, who happens to be the son of the Administrator. His mother was sick with a stress related sickness; there is so much stress in these institutions. We left a number of things they continually run out of and have no funds to buy more of. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap shampoo and laundry and dish soap. We have a box of clothes to deliver later. 

Thursday April 4th
Still raining and dreary. We loaded 4 boxes of clothes and headed out to Petriliv. The teacher told us the road was not too bad out there??? It was not the worst, except for a long steel bridge across a river that had the worst of the worst breakup of the surface. You had to literally creep across, swaying from side to side. The bridge is also very narrow. On our return trip, we were held up for 25 minutes, as something happened on the bridge and nothing was moving. Anyway, as usual we were well received in both the mayor’s office and the later the school. We leave the boxes with the mayor and she organizes the distribution to the poorest families. We got to the school and found that the Principal and another teacher were stranded at the main road and there was no bus to Petriliv. I went to get them while Howard and Svetlana got to know the kids. I brought the ladies back but the Principal was not well and the school nurse sent her home. She has high blood pressure, again, stress related.
We spoke to the senior class and had good attention. We were then taken for a hot (warm) lunch. The dining room had no heat. We were then showed the main corridor that the “authorities” say must have a wall across to separate the kindergarten from the school? They have been told to build it but not given any funds to do the work. We gave them some help to buy material. Wherever we go, the “inspectors” continually add to the stress of administrators with often useless unnecessary projects. 

Friday April 5th
Believe it or not, it’s not raining, but may be snow tonight!
Luba came today to help sort boxes. We did several and then loaded them up and headed for the village of Stari Licets, not far from home. This is where Luba’s mother in law lives and the school we have been made so welcome in. We had called the Christian Ethics teacher and she asked us to come once again. You will remember that this is where we had to meet with the priest last year, because some parents had said they didn’t know what we were teaching, and wanted him to find out. We met with him and told him but he didn’t tell us not to come but didn’t think the children needed us to teach them as he was teaching them all they need to hear!! Well a funny thing happened. His wife “won” a green card to America and moved with her children. He went for a visit and has not come back, yet that is.
We had a good time with about 60 teens and had good attention. We left 4 boxes of clothes for the poor families in the village.
We went to pick up Luba at her 77 year old mother in law’s and had a lovely time with this dear lady. There was not much doubt in our minds that she is saved, although this word never came up. The big thing was that she knows that Jesus died for her sins and that is why she will be in Heaven. She prays every morning and every evening. She lives alone and has a cow and a garden to tend. How simply many of God’s own live.
We headed home with 2 sacks of potatoes for Luba and delivered her and her son Vasil to their apartment. Luba is a dear Sister in the Assembly in Lviv whose husband died of cancer many years ago. She has a daughter Maria who is very bright. Vasil has had a mental problem from birth.
We finished the day with supper with Oleg and Olah in a lovely, fairly new hotel in town. Oleg receives our boxes for us, when no one is here.

I would like to add a note to those of you sending boxes. Since our sister Flora passed away, the work in Lviv is being done by Edmund and Agnes Johnston and Ruslan. Please continue to send boxes to Lviv as they are doing a lot of distribution and the stock of clothes has run out.
Also, please check every item before packing it, we are unwilling to give out stained or torn items. Also, footwear must be in almost, if not entirely new, with laces and clean. No gravel in the soles of runners.
Thank you for reading this epistle, I trust you find it informative.
Your brothers in Christ.
Malcolm and Howard.

Spring 2013 - Report No 3

Ukraine report #3
Monday April 1.
The weather is typical spring weather, wet and dull to start out with but sunny and melting very quickly. Kiev is having flooded streets and fear many more towns and cities will be affected.
We decided to sort some boxes this morning and so Luba came to give a woman’s help with this and was very good at it. We have to get these many boxes sorted and distributed before more arrive. We probably have 30 here now. We got 6 boxes sorted for children, babies and adults.
At 2pm Svetlana arrived, she will be our interpreter for a week or two, and we took the van to get the heater fan fixed and then took a taxi to visit the men in the rehab. They live in a fairly nice house with a garden. We met in their living room and had a very good time telling our testimonies and then answering their many questions. They want us back as soon as we can go back.
They treated us to tea and cookies and then wanted pictures of us all outside. We feel this will be a good opportunity to help these men find permanent deliverance from their addictions.
We were then happy to pick up the van and find it all fixed up for a very modest price.
Tuesday. We went to see Antonina and her grown son Victor this morning. Antonina is a lady that we met some years ago and has come out faithfully to meetings. Some may remember that her other married son had a wife that ran away with their daughter to Italy and has not been heard of for at least 3 years. When this happened, Victor set out to find the child but was charged with attempted kidnapping or something like that and sent to prison for 3 years. He is now released and living with his mother.
We found out that they had both gone to camp in Lutsk last summer and by all accounts, it sounds as if they are now both saved. We had a good talk about “the next step”, baptism, but did not press anything. This was a most profitable meeting. Victor spends much of his time reading the Bible.
We had a box of men’s clothes and took it to the rehab centre. Then went and paid the rent on the apartment. The lady who rents to us is a barrister but unique in her honesty. The first thing she did when we went in was give us a refund from the last 3 month payment, because it was paid in Canadian dollars and the interest had changed in our favour. Can you imagine a lawyer doing this?
We then went to the half-way house for children who have been sent there to await placement in either a foster home or an orphanage: there were about 10 older children, the young ones were sleeping. Both Howard and I spoke, gave out tracts and candies and then went for coffee with the assistant director. Several staff listened to the messages too.
We then came home and got ready for the meeting at 6PM. Not many out at all; a little disappointing but good attention.
Howard and I went for supper and then home write and try to plan our week.
Malcolm and Howard.

Spring 2013 - Report No 2

Report #2 for Thursday to Sunday. March 2013
On Thursday we struggled over bad roads and slush to Yosopowichi orphanage and took supplies of diapers, food items and baby blankets. Not all the children were there as they had a measles epidemic and so the others had been sent to relatives to try and stop the spread. The ones left looked as if they were covered with war paint, as each of the spots were covered with a purple antiseptic. We got all the staff together and gave our testimonies. One new supervisor was in tears later as she had lost one of twin babies and found it hard to accept that the baby was with Jesus.
We measured up to get a new back door for the building, as you could see out of the cracks in the old one and it kept the kitchen cold.
On the way home we visited with Michael, the doctor who now carves wooden objects. His wife Maria has some heart problems and is not well but seemed better than the last time we visited.
As Edmund and Agnes were leaving for Ireland on Friday; Nadia and her mother made a great supper in our (Flo’s) apartment. There were 8 of us and we had a nice time together.
On Friday, we heard that Misha, the sick man we had visited a few days ago, had passed away. It was a blessing indeed because he was very ill and in a lot of pain. He leaves behind a wife and one son.
We shopped and did some chores, then parked Edmunds car in an indoor parkade as they will be away for the month. We then went home and prepared for the Bible study at 7pm. The weather was terrible with wet sleet and a wind as we walked to meeting, about a 10minute walk. I can’t remember walking in that kind of weather for years! It was worth it because we had a good prayer meeting and Bible study.
Ruslan took Edmund and Agnes to the railway station to catch the train at midnight. They travel to Krakow in Poland and then fly to Ireland. This seems the easiest way home for them.
I had not told you that our Vito van had a problem and would not start and so on Saturday we had to get a technician to work on it. I have worked on vehicles all my life but have never seen such a complicated problem as this one. He worked from about 10 am till 7pm. What a wiz! And he only wanted less than $200US for his time but I gave him the $200. Most of the work was done outside in the snow, except for soldering in the apartment! Well now we had a vehicle to go to Ivano on Sunday.
Sunday arrived, very foggy and wet slush everywhere. We had a nice Morning Meeting with about 12 of us breaking bread. We both spoke after the breaking of bread and then had a lunch. Yaroslav and Luba had both come from Lviv to be at the meeting. They got up at 5am and got the bus at 6am. It took 3 1/2 hours to get there. THAT is dedication!
When we got the van back we noticed the heater fan was not working but could do nothing about it so left, hoping that the wind would blow through to give us heat. Well it did, that was whenever we could go fast enough! We have never seen or driven on such a destroyed highway before. There were deep 4-5 inch holes everywhere for the whole 3 hours. Because of the frost and wet this winter, all the roads in Ukraine have been destroyed. No one knows how they can afford to fix them. I have never driven so many miles on the other side of the road, as we had to do every mile or so. We arrived in one piece but very weary.
We had our meeting at 5pm, with about 12 out. We think that many did not know we were having a meeting. There were 2 new visitors, both Christians. They were not related but the man works with ex alcoholics and drug addicts and was very interested in us going to speak to the 10 men he looks after.
We plan to do so right away as they live in Ivano. The rehabilitation centre is one of many across Ukraine.
And so to bed, still a little jet-lagged but happy.
In much need of your prayers, as always.
Malcolm and Howard.

Spring 2013 - Report No 1

Report #1.
Well, here we are again. Howard Pratt from Kirkland Lake Assembly in NW Ontario and myself from Portage la Prairie Manitoba. Back in Lviv. (This is for those who may be new to our reports.)
Howard arrived last Monday, March 25 and I left Canada on that date. We both had good flights except that the old LOT Air planes seem to get less and less room in their seats! No leg room but otherwise they were good flights.

We both left deep snow in Canada, only to find deep packed, un-cleared snow in Ukraine. not at all seasonal for this country. They expect flooding in parts if there is a sudden thaw.

We were met by Edmund and Agnes Johnston, commended workers here in Lviv and taken to the late Flora Kancir’s apartment, which is now rented and kept for visiting brethren and sisters. A young couple form the assembly in Lviv are living as caretakers in the apartment and are keeping it in lovely condition and are thrilled to have us as visitors.

On Tuesday afternoon, Howard and Ruslan our driver and his wife, went to Ivano Frankivsk for the meeting. It took them 3 hours travelling over the worst road they have ever had to travel on to Ivano before. Nothing but pot holes, slush and wet, often down to 30k pr hour. The usual time is 2 hours.
They had a nice meeting and we hope to go back on Sunday and stay for a while.

On Tuesday we went to see a very sick and dying brother, named Misha. He is not part of our assembly but comes to our Conference and is a help in the Bible readings. He has Liver cancer and will no doubt pass away within days or hours. For some years he has operated a rehabilitation home in a little village about an hour away. After visiting Misha and praying with him we went to the rehab. It has six men there, looking after themselves now but doing a good job, as far as we could see.
We all sat down with them all except one and they all took out their bibles and we talked for an hour over the scriptures. One man said he got saved a week ago, but was not sure if he could lose his salvation if he began drinking again, so we spent quite a time on showing him and them that he could never lose what he had in Christ. After a snack of sardines on bread and tea, we headed home.

We had a prayer and teaching meeting at 7 pm and so met at the hall after a good supper at Edmund and Agnes. I spoke on John 14V 1-6.
Today, Wednesday we went to our favorite little orphanage in Yosopwichi. The roads were atrocious. Unplowed, multitudes of chuck holes and water as it is starting to melt.
The children had measles, so there were only a few there as some had been sent to different homes if they hadn’t caught the measles. We had a good opportunity to speak to all the staff who listened very well to our testimonies.

We then left to see the doctor Michael who lives in Stri and carves for a living to support his sick wife Maria and 4 children. We took food supplies and gave a word of encouragement and then headed home for a sumptuous supper put on by two sisters in our apartment. What a spread, far too much to list but good to describe.
After supper we had a good time answering and discussing different bible subjects. These young Christians have really good questions.

We feel it was a good day and are now ready for a good night’s sleep. Edmund and Agnes go home to Ireland tomorrow evening for a month.

Thank you for praying.

Malcolm and Howard.