We were blessed with another beautiful sunny day to make the long drive to the Carpathian mountains, this time to a small village named Ilnyk. It's such a remote place. I was curious how anyone ever came to know of this village having people in need. So this is what I was told. Flo and Ruslan (and whoever was visiting here) started going to a jail for boys in Sambir. Whenever any place is visited, clothes and food are brought along as there is always a need. An institutiion often gets cleaning supplies, lightbulbs, toilet paper, soap/shampoo. So one of the guards there took note of that and asked if it was possible that a visit could be made to his village because there was a lot of needy people there. Shortly afterwards, a trip was made to this very remote area by Flo and Ruslan. Regular visits have been made to this place since then. I think Edmund & Agnes & Ruslan go about three or four times a year. It might not sound like a lot but it is only one out of three villages that are visited in the Carpathians.
The people of the village were called ahead of time and we were expected to arrive around 2:00. Surprisingly we arrived on time. Our main purpose when we go anywhere is to preach the gospel, the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. Both Nick and Leslie spoke to the people with a short message. There were approximately 50 people present. They listened very quietly to what was being spoken from the Word of God.
There were groceries purchased for about 18 needy families.
About six large boxes of clothes received from various areas of the States and Canada were also brought along for anyone who needed some clothing.
The groceries get delivered to the individuals who need them. We went along with the couple from the area who distribute these bags of groceries. The conditions some of these people live in are terrible. One lady had several children but they were all gone to other areas and she is alone. Her little house was very very cold and she is basically confined to one room. She sleeps, eats, prepares her little bit of food all in the same 12 x 12 room filled with everything she might need.
We stopped in at our host's house, had a bite to eat. I decided to be brave and tried some salo! What is salo you say? think in the lines of raw bacon fat! When Vera asked me if I liked it, I said "not very much", she took out another 'different' one...which tasted no different to me. It had the texture of chicken meat that wasn't cooked enough. Ruslan assured me that if I had it with a slice of bread and some kielbasa with the slice of thinly sliced salo that I would love it. Maybe I'll have the opportunity to try it again.....and then again, maybe not!!
Our drive back home was bumpy, fast, tiring, in other words normal.
We all landed at Agnes & Edmund's apartment for some chicken fried rice at 8:00. A full stomach to get to sleep.
We were very thankful for a great day.
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