Ukraine Spring Report #10

Note …..Louis & Dan were able to fly to Warsaw today, then over night there and on home tomorrow.

Report #10 Wednesday April 21.

As there is no meeting on Wednesday we planned to go to Petriliv, or Peter Village. Vadym had phoned to the mayor, Olga, and she said we should come in the afternoon so we arrived at 1 pm.

It is a lovely drive through the valley of the river that flooded the whole valley 2 years ago. Thankfully no one died who were flooded but many lost their homes under 6 to 8 feet of water.

The biggest surprise to , as I had not been to Petriliv for several years, before the flood. To put it mildly, the whole town was a crumbling disaster, a former large collective farm no longer operating.

Since the flood, the government has taken notice of the area and poured millions into the area. They have built about 16 lovely new, 1,2 and 3 bedroom houses, well up the hill away from the river.

The Village hall, where the Mayor, Olga’s office is, has been almost completely renovated. When I was last in it, I thought they should knock it down and build a new one.

We left Olga to go and visit the school. Most of the children were working outside either at home or helping others. We were joyfully welcomed by the Principal and teachers. There were about 20 children in school so Nick gave them a little object lesson.

We went then to the Principal’s office where we were served a late lunch of fried (cold) fish, macaroni and sauerkraut. Quite tasty really.

We found out their needs, which were many, and agreed to do what we could. The funds that came to the region did not come as far as the school, even though the water filled their gym 6 feet deep. They showed me the mark on the wall. Fortunately, the gym was in a basement.

We came right home and got ready to spend our first night in the new apartment we have rented for the meetings. The weather turned very cold and wet in the night and we had not turned the heat up, we spent an uncomfortably cold night in bed. I was in the bedroom and Nick slept on the floor in the living room on all the cushions off the divan and chairs. We are getting some better bedding for tonight.

Good night and God bless.

Thursday April 22.

The Rain had stopped in the night but there was a bitterly cold wind with snow not to far away, we were told.

Nick boiled eggs for breakfast along with toast and cereal. Quite sufficient to start the day with.

Vadym arrived in his wife’s car, as his had thrown the timing belt and was already in his garage with his mechanic fixing it.

We planned on visiting some people in town today as we had the meeting at 5pm. We went to visit one sister but she was not home, which was unusual. We found out that her son, who is mentally challenged, had to be taken to hospital for some reason. Anyway he was brought home later.

We then went to visit another home and just caught Dana as she came in from the village where she has a garden. A major renovation had been started 6 months ago but is still not completed. The man who is building her cupboards has not installed them yet. She has not had a sink for six months.

We are following up on the delay.

We shopped for some items we still needed in the apartment and got ready for Meeting tonight.

We were pleasantly surprised by a good number coming out and 3 new ladies attending.

We are hoping for a full house on Sunday.

I put up one of the sets of shelving we bought, what a job! I left the other one until tomorrow, maybe!

Good night, please keep praying.