Malcolm's Report from Ukraine #3

Malcolm’s Report from Ukraine from Oct. 23rd to 25^th.

Thursday 23rd

Well, winter is on the way with heavy cold rainy day. I’m afraid I missed going anywhere today with Howard and Edmund and Agnes. I can only say it was “delayed jet lag” as I did not sleep one minute all night. A frightening experience and my first and last one, I hope. I had to be up and out of the house at 6:15am to take Sasha, who was staying with us, to the railway station. He has a job for the weekend with the election as he is an observer and then counting the votes on Sunday. He is working in Ivano.

I came back and went straight to bed waking up at 1pm! Edmund and Howard headed out to Bookva, a home for mentally challenged girls and ladies that we had visited many times with Flora. They took two special wheelchairs and clothing and supplies as well. They met with Harrisa, the assistant director for a talk as well as giving candies etc to the girls.

It was home to supper of borscht and buns and ham and then off to meeting at 7pm. There were 3 strangers out to the meeting which was encouraging. Trust I will be able to sleep tonight.

Friday 24^th

Thankfully, I slept until 8am, with earplugs in! I think the heavy rain on the veranda roof had much to do with my insomnia!

After a good breakfast, we headed out to near Truskavets with a name we can’t remember. There were two places we wanted to visit, the one being an apartment being renovated for a young widow with two little children, who lost her 29 year old husband with cancer. We have helped her with a final payment on the two room apartment and renovations. It is looking very nice, already to wallpaper. Two brethren bought her a corner shower cabinet and we delivered it. She is very sweet and very appreciative.

We then went to a home for either expectant mothers or those who have new babies. It is an amazing little home with room for 10 or so mothers and their babies. These mothers are recommended by the Social Services of needing and deserving of help to raise their babies. One soon-to-deliver young mother was sent from the war zone in Donesk. We had a good opportunity to speak to the ladies and the staff.

It was then home to get ready to the last meeting for this week. We were thrilled to see the hall filled and several first time attendees.

Saturday 25^th.

I needed a suit for meeting and the prices here are less than a quarter of the ones back home. After the third try I found the right size and delivered it to an apartment to be cuffed. The lady did an amazing job and the suit was ready in the afternoon.

We left then for a children’s meeting in a town about hour from town. I had never been there but Howard had, many years ago. When we arrived at the building, I wondered where we were going.  The building was old and in terrible condition. We went up three floors and found 20 or more children and several adults waiting in a small, cold meeting room. Edmund and Agnes have been coming here every second Saturday since they first came to Ukraine. It was exciting to hear the children recite the verses they had learned over the months. One after another coming up and speaking out clearly. It was exciting to see. Then they sang some choruses and Howard spoke a good little message. After giving them prizes and candies we headed to the home of  Vasil and Ira, the ones who organise the meetings for Edmund. Ira has 6 children but is still and amazing cook. We thought the food would never stop coming.

We then headed home and began to pack ready to go to Ivano Frankivk after meeting here tomorrow.

Thank you for praying for us and continue to pray for us in Ivano.

Malcolm and Howard.