Malcolm Stanley's first blog for October 2018

Well here we are Howard Pratt from Kirkland lake Ontario and myself from Portage la Prairie Manitoba. Both of us arrived in Lviv on Tuesday afternoon October 2, weary but glad for a good flight with LOT Polish Air via Warsaw.

We were met by Edmund and Agnes Johnston, resident missionaries here from Ireland. We went with them for a good supper and then to the apartment we will share with Gilles and Helene Plourdes for a week.

Sleep was very welcome but thankfully refreshed us by the morning. The weather is still very nice with leaves on the trees, however turned wet and rainy by afternoon.

Some of the changes we see since being here two years ago and the number of cars now and the difficulty to park and the mass of traffic. Some of the roads are beginning to need repair since being newly built for  the 2012 World Soccer and the side roads are very bad already.

we were at meeting in the evening but were glad to get to bed in decent time here once again."

Today Thursday, we went to Losopowichi, one of our favourite orphanages in a small village an hour away. We did what we had learned to do with Flo Kancir, now over 6 years ago, and that was to "shop till we dropped " for needed items for the children. Mainly cleaning things and toilet paper, as the Government gives little for the needs of these institutions now.

There were about 15 children there with ages from five to 10, we would estimate. They were very happy as Ruslan, our driver and Edmund sang choruses with them. I spoke to them about how Jesus loved the little children just as much as the big people. They listened very well. We gave new toothbrushes, my dentist supplied, and they then went for their afternoon nap. We were given a lunch of soup and potatoes and a meat patty and beets. All very tasty.

We left and went to Maria and Michalo's home in Strye, near to the orphanage. This is the couple who used to live in a terrible mouldy home, but now live in a nice little apartment we were able to get for them. He is the ex-doctor who wood carves for a meagre living. It was a little different visit as we talked with Maria about Salvation. However, she could not understand that Mary could not be her Saviour, only Jesus Christ could. We pray her eyes will be opened to this fact one day. Thankfully Michalo was very clear that only Christ can save.

We cam home to a delicious Irish supper, once again prepared by Agnes. So much appreciated.

Hopefully heading to the Carpathian Mountains tomorrow.

Malcolm and Howard.