Ukraine report #5 November 9th

Sorry for forgetting to post this one.

Ukraine Report #5 November 9^th.

Wednesday Nov. 9^th .

I have forgotten to mention that I am sure it has rained every day of our visit yet.

It is pouring today and did so all day. Snow is expected for the weekend.

We shopped for prices of water heaters first thing, for the burnt out apartment, they are fairly pricy but not unreasonable. Did not buy one yet.

We then picked up Yaroslav, one of the local Christians and headed to the country over quite poor roads. Yaroslav’s wife is living in her recently deceased mothers little farm home, feeding the chickens and the dog. Yaroslav lives in Ivano in his son’s apartment. We stopped in at the farm to say hello as we went on our way to the town a little further on.

We were going to the large school in the village named Stetseva. We were greeted by the charming man Director Vasil, who has been there for years and gives us such a big welcome.

He gathered about 60 students from grades 8,9, 10-12. They were very interested in what we told them of our work and Canada. We spoke for 40 minutes and had a question time too. As I was going down the stairs, a cute 15 year old girl stopped me to ask a question. She said “Will you take me to Canada?” and threw her arms around me. Most people want to come to Canada, it is really too bad as most never will.

We left a box of children’s clothes at the school and then headed to see a catholic priest in the same village. The reason we go to see him is because he is a saved man who tells his congregation they need to be saved, coming to church will not save them. He has a lovely wife and 3 children and has built his own house. When we arrived, his wife told us we were just in time for lunch and sat us down to a good meal of borscht, cabbage rolls and 3 different cheeses, relish and bread. We had a lovely time and then he loaded bags of potatoes, carrots, beets, onions, bread, sugar and beans into our van. He said we would find some poor people that we could give them to!!

 We then took Yaroslav back to stay with his wife for a day or so and then headed home, very satisfied but very tired too.

On the way we went to see a saved young mother Lesia who lives in the most unbelievable apartment of one room, with a mentally challenged husband. Her brother has come to help them remodel their apartment by knocking a door through the wall into the next washroom. They have permission but the neighbours are complaining even though they have started. We gave them some funds to help continue with the needy job when they resume.

Thursday Nov 10th

We went to a very large school in Kolomia. I had never been there before but some others have. The assistant director met us and quizzed us as to what we teach etc. She seemed very efficient and a little sceptical but changed completely once she came to the classrooms. We spoke in 3 large classrooms with good attention and feed back in all. The grade 10 and 11 combined was the best as most speak English. When we were finished, she told us we were welcome back any time but to give them time to book classes for us. There are 1900 students and 130 teachers, the biggest school I have spoken in. She said they had had people before who spoke against the church and the police were called.

Got home in time to rest and get ready for evening meeting in the apartment.

We were excited to have Andre, an older man who is the father of one of our ex-drivers wife, arrived early. He had visited his wife who is sick in hospital with a stomach suture that they cannot stop bleeding for some reason. He is very worried but seemed to enjoy our company with the other 5 people who came for the bible study. He left early but not before we sang Happy Birthday, as it was his 59^th birthday.

Altogether, an enjoyable and we trust spiritually profitable day. So off to bed.

Friday Nov 11. They do not celebrate Remembrance Day in Ukraine.

We went about 85k to a village named Yasen, where there is a Sanatorium for sick children. We have been often but the condition of the road to it would keep most from visiting. The building is almost in the mountains and so has very healthy air.

The 89+ children are only there for one month at a time; most have lifelong sicknesses and come there from hospitals. It is not a TB hospital. This was the first time the director/doctor took time to show us through the whole facility. It is beautiful, in excellent condition. Since being there last time they got a major grant from Japan because of what they are doing for children, to put in all new windows and clad the building in an 4” material for insulation. It was then stuccoed and painted. As we went around we stopped to talk to the nurses and the one nurse sat us down and took out blood pressure.

We then went into a large room and spoke to all the 80+ kids and about 10 staff. They were all very attentive and answered our questions. We gave a New Testament to all who wanted one and about 60 or so took one, others had one already. We spoke for about 45 minutes and then went to have lunch with the Director and his assistant.

Then the gruelling ride back to Ivano. We then went and paid for a heater that s installed in the fire damaged apartment today. There will now be heat for the men to begin the cleanup.

Thanks for reading this epistle, sorry if it’s too long but there is so much to tell you about this lovely but hurting country.

Please keep praying when you think of us.

Malcolm And Wade.