Malcolm's Report #7

Malcolm's Report # 7

Wednesday November 11.

Today Remembrance day is not celebrated her in Ukraine. They have another day when the remember the wars that have devastated this country so many times.

We planned a busy day today to visit two schools out of town. The first was Petriliv or Peter village. We had some boxes to take to the village as well as some school supplies left with us to deliver. It wasn't the most organized time, which is most unusual. Firstly, we had to wait for the principal who had other visitors. She came and we then went up to the class but another lady had arrive too, to teach a lesson on safety. She had started so Hana the principal suggested we go and see the lady mayor while the lady talked and we could unload our boxes at the mayors office. We got there and she was out! We sat around while they tried to find her. We were about to go and she arrived. We had a quick visit where she told us she had been elected again as mayor over 5 villages. We quickly unloaded the boxes of clothes. Olia, the mayor is very good at seeing that the needy people get the clothes, no fooling her.

We headed back to school and were told we should go for lunch first before we spoke to the children. We had a nice lunch of soup, burger and mashed potatoes.

Then we were ready for the children but they had to eat first!! We eventually spoke to them and had a good response.

We then had to rush to the other school at a town called Stari Licetts, on the other side of Ivano. We were about 25 mins late but no problem, we had to talk to the lady who teaches Religious Ethics and is probably a Christian. We met a class of about 30 grade 7 and 8 students and had a good time, even singing “ Jesus Loves me” and “My God is so big.”. It was good to see them singing and doing the actions. We have 2 choruses on nice charts.

We headed home and sorted boxes again for tomorrows visits.

Thursday opened with warm temperatures and dry weather and we headed to an orphanage/school in the town of Kosiv, lying in the foothills of the mountains. We were very happy to find new roads for most of the way, this really makes the trip more enjoyable. The school is one of the nicest and best run we visit. The children are happy and well behaved. We headed right into speaking to classes of about 20 students each class. There are over 170 students in this facility but several were sick. Again we sang and the children enjoyed the singing and messages. We were then invited to lunch in the principal Valentina's office. Without doubt the best lunch we have had in any school, all home cooked and baked in the school kitchen.

We then unloaded the boxes and and headed home. We had been told 6 boxes were to be delivered this evening, need to be there.

Another day when we could spread the word by mouth, with tracts, calendars and New testaments.

Thank you for your interest and prayers.

Malcolm Howard and Volodia.