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.