Spring is here - the storks are returning

Good Sunday afternoon
It was a rather early start today since we were going to Lutsk for the Breaking of Bread. We were a van full. It was a pleasure to see Timothy Sloan again as well as Anatoly and the other Christians there.
Saturday we went to a small town about an hour from Lviv to visit a senior's home. Marcus and Rachel had been there last fall. We were told the director wasn't there since it was the weekend. We had come with some clothing and soaps and left those with the workers. We had also bought some oranges and bananas and they distributed those to the residents allowing us to come along to the different rooms. Flora had mentioned that we would like to speak to the residents but the staff didn't do that. Maybe it was too much trouble for them or maybe they simply didn't want to, in any event the residents didn't gather anywhere and we didn't really get a chance to speak to any of them. We have definite plans to return there again soon, during the week, and find occasion to speak to these people. Some of the residents were physically handicapped, quite a number were in bed. One thing was encouraging here and that was the fact that they are in the middle of renovations. There was new drywall on some walls, other areas were waiting to be tiled. I always find it difficult to take pictures of places like this or in a hospital because there are people there at the mercy of the bad conditions. Some of these people only have their dignity left and to go around snapping pictures just seems like an invasion into their lives. So at one point when there was no one around I took a picture in the hallway, wanting to show what they are living with. Wouldn't you know it, a lady come out of her room and asked me if I was a tourist!!! I was very embarassed and told her no quite emphatically. She told me not to take pictures because they were in renovations and it didn't look nice. The several ladies that were in this building were quite friendly and chatted with us and Flora told them what we were there for. It is very unfortunate that we couldn't talk to them as a group.
We returned home and decided to tackle the storage room. The word to describe this area right now is "chaos". We know we will be getting more boxes and if we don't get around to sorting everything out properly we will have major difficulties. It is quite a task but we got a lot done and Monday I plan on staying at Flora's after my lessons and working on further organizing the shelves.
Friday we stayed in the city and visited with Luda, Paul & Andre's mother. She is housebound due to health reasons. Her two sons, both in their mid twenties are both working, one out of the city and the other in the city. Her other son, mentally challenged stays at home. They live in unbelieveable conditions, the 2 room apartment for 4 people. They all sleep in a room that is not more than ten by ten. It is stuffy and dirty beyond description. Stephan our driver could not even stay with us while we visited. After we got back in the van Stephan had a lot to say. He cannot believe anyone lives like that. We left her with some groceries and Flo spoke with her.
We also went and visited Petro's wife. Petro & his wife and daughter used to live in a "chicken coop" building and had an apartment purchased for him a few years ago. The apartment is nothing special but it is much better than what they had. Lilla, Petro's wife has Parkinson's Disease. The poor woman was having a very very bad day. When we arrived she had just taken some medication and she was waiting for it to take effect. This is the first time I see the full impact Parkinson's has on a person. Lilla could not stop moving because as soon as she "relaxed" her legs and feet and arms and hands would just tremble terribly. She said she wouldn't wish this disease on anyone. Flo spoke some words of encouragement and I reminded her that in heaven there will be no tears, no pain, no sorrow, no death. Thank God for His promise of a better place.
Oh, we had a nice surprise at the Ruka Vitchka grocery store. Last week when I had some fruits weighed, I thanked the young man who served me and he answered me in English. I just had a word or two with him and went on my way. So Saturday we were there getting bananas and oranges. This young man's english is extremely good and we had a chance to chat with him. He was so happy to have someone who could speak English converse with him because he said he never has the opportunity to practice what he knows. We will stay in touch with his young man. He certainly could be used as an interpreter and also we would like to have him visit us at the apartment and hear the gospel. His name is Andryi
I apologize for the length of this post. There had not been any connection at my apartment for two days. Today I changed the server telephone number and it finally worked. I sure hope that this is the end of the problems. Flora is unable to use her email since she cannot access the internet except late at night if at all. Please drop us a line. It is always nice to hear from home. God bless
Happy Birthday my dear Gilles.