Went to buy a few supplies for our little orphanage in Yosopovitch as well as some fruits. Bananas are a favourite and a rare treat for these kids.
We got there as the children were sitting eating their lunches. These kids are between five and nine I think. We had a little chat with them telling them that Jesus loves each and every one of them. Afterwards they were off for their afternoon nap.
We stayed around and spoke with the director of the orphanage. She was telling Ruslan that the government is trying to cut expenses and is trying to remove children from Yosopovitch at an earlier age. She is fighting for these kids and is refusing to accept this govt solution. So now they are trying to eliminate her position.
She showed us some kitchen cupboards that are in desperate need of being replaced, so measurements were taken and we’ll look into getting new ones. These cupboards are right under the sink, and being just particle board, were destroyed over time because of the water.
After we left there we drove to Stryïi to see Misha and Maria. Many people sent funds to buy this couple a new apartment. The place they lived in prior to this new apartment was so bad, mold growing on the ceiling, in corners. The smell was hardly tolerable. And then there were the cockroaches! So now they are in their new apartment which Maria had a hand in decorating. She should have been an interior designer! Everything is co-ordinated. They are very happy. She has heart problems and has had surgery. I thought she looked very well this year compared to a couple of years ago. Misha and Maria have a 28 year old handicapped son, so Misha cannot work as he needs to be home to care for Michealo. There is no assistance to be had here, so you are on your own to figure things out if you have special circumstances in your life.
We chatted about spiritual things emphasizing the need to be sure of your destiny when death overtakes you, as it will for each and every one of us.
After praying with them we were back in the van, on the road, headed back to Lviv. It’s a good hour of driving for sure. There are so many vehicles on the road when we approach Lviv! The road on the perimeter of the city eliminates a lot of traffic congestion in the already congested city roads. However this “circle” road is full, vehicles bumper to bumper as far as the eye can see. You cannot afford to be in a hurry.
Saturday Sept 15
Set out to Sosnivka for the bi-weekly children meeting.
First did a stop at the grocery store to buy some groceries for Vasyl and Vera.
Every second week we go to their village for children’s meetings and afterwards go to their place for a meal. So it’s our habit to help out with groceries.
We arrived a few minutes late but all the kids were playing and waiting for us.
There were about ten adults and 30 kids present. These kids come out regularly and are so enthusiastic. They have no problem getting up in front of all the others and saying the verse they memorized. They also don’t mind standing in front of their peers and singing a song. After a few choruses and a bible lesson, we all enjoyed a treat and a drink.
Off to Vasyl and Vera’s for a meal. He has quite an interesting story about how he was saved in prison. God truly has changed his life.
Afterwards we brought two ladies and their daughters back home to the “dormitory” where they live. It’s pretty much a rooming house with shared washrooms and only a hot plate to cook on. One of the ladies (Oxana) in her mid twenties has a four year old daughter. Oxana has just found work and is working hard to better her life and perhaps get a real apartment.
The other lady Tetiana - it was her first time coming to the children’s meeting with her 14 year old daughter. (sorry I can’t remember the daughters names). This dear lady has been in western Ukraine for only a year. She lived in Donetsk which is in the east. Russia had caused a lot of damage in their takeover of parts of eastern Ukraine and the city Donetsk is a casualty of war. So Tetiana and her daughter moved to Chervonograd which is a few kilometres from Sosnivka to get away from the conflict. She had one suitcase that she could fill, and that’s all she was allowed to bring. She has left her house and her life as she knew it and moved to a totally strange area. She was very quiet. She invited me in to see where she was living. My heart sank. A 12 x 15 room, small counter with a hot plate. I don’t recall seeing a fridge. Two beds and a closet. Few of us can enter into what it must be like to leave your life, your belongings, the things that make a house a home and leave. I certainly cannot. She asked if we could get her some pots and pans, some sheets & towels. They need winter coats and boots. I’m just hoping we have the necessary sizes in the apartment. Otherwise we will go shopping and find something. We were able to communicate a bit using Google translate. She speaks Russian & a bit of French she learned in school.
Tetiana apologized for not being very talkative and said that the war has made her very tired. I could not understand if she is presently working or used to work at painting.
We drove back home after leaving their place, picked up a roasted chicken for supper and came home to a comfortable apartment, more appreciated than when we left.
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