Malcolm's Report #7

Malcolm’s Report #7 for Monday and Tuesday April 28 and 29.

Another bright sunny day greeted us this morning, with temperature in low 20’s.

We had several things to do this morning, the first being to get the air-conditioning working on our van. Even though it is not really hot yet, Ukrainian people do not like air blowing in their face while driving, so we cannot have the windows open. We went to our favorite garage and the technician did a wonderful job of seeing if there was a leak. He found none so charged the system with Freon and it works fine.PTL. All for less than $80.00 Cdn.

After changing some money, we saw an old friend Andre, from Solidarity and spent half an hour catching up with the political situation. He is quite an expert on those things.

A lady named Tania has been coming regularly to our meetings with two small children. Her husband Ivan is in hospital and has lost his leg from just below the knee. He has had TB since a young boy. Eric and Marge had visited him and bought medication. We were asked to go and see the man in the hospital. He said we could meet outside even though his TB is not infectious. We went over and met with him; he is very depressed and worried about his wife and children and their ability to keep up the rent. We will help her in this area; and see if we can help him get a prosthesis fitted.

We then went to look for two used bicycles for the home in Sniatin, so that the patients can exercise on the grounds, as many are only mildly mentally handicapped. We finished up buying one used one and one new one. Both of them for about $250.00 and excellent bikes.

In spite of the news media, you would never think there was any problem in Ukraine. The streets are full of nice cars; people are walking on the streets eating ice cream. Thankfully, the problems are only in East so far. The people in the West, where we are, don’t seem to think the problem will come this far.

Very weary and glad for a good night’s sleep.

Tuesday.

We left at 8:30 am for the town of Sniatin, to visit an older men’s mental home. The Administrator is a fine man who does a fantastic job of caring for the over 100 men. We took the 2 bikes with us and both men and staff were very happy with the. One inmate jumped on right away and I thought we had lost him but he came back grinning from ear to ear.

We then went over to the main building and spoke to about 30 of the staff. It is amazing how well they listen and show such interest.

We then headed home on terrible roads again and acquired a nasty banging under the van when we hit some rough spots, so we decided to go right away to our garage to check it out. They put it up right away and found it was only the exhaust pipe that was hitting on the axle. Thankfully it was fixed right away and all for $7.00. What a rip off???

We had meeting a 7 PM with the biggest crowd yet. Tania and Ivan were out too with their 2 girls. We talked to Ivan before taking him home to the hospital. He told us that the Government is going to fit him with a prosthesis, so we don’t need to worry about that. He said his biggest concern is to get better physically so he can be home with his family. He only asked us to buy prescription drugs for him which we will do tomorrow God Willing.  God gave help in the meeting and we will have our next gospel meeting on Sunday. We may have a Bible reading on Thursday, if we can find some people to come.

Out for supper and then home to bed.

Please continue to pray as we are already half way through our stay.

Workers together in Christ.

Malcolm, Howard and Volodia.