Ukraine Spring Report #12

Report #12 for Saturday. April 24, 2010

We had a light breakfast today and Nick prepared it. I do the dishes or something else so it works out well.

We were to start early this morning as we had a lot of shopping to do and also wanted to visit Tania and her mother Natalia, who has the problem with her nose that has been half removed due to a serious infection and is waiting for plastic surgery.

We went to change some Canadian money. I had changed some yesterday and the man said that if I came back today with a certain amount, he would give me a better exchange rate. The rate yesterday and today was 7.20R, he said he would give me 7.25R today. Vadym phoned a man who exchanges money on the street, who we have dealt with often and he gave me 7.28R. In this country it is not what you know but who you know that counts!

We went to a store to buy school supplies for the school in Peter Village that seems to be so far off the map that they are forgotten. We plan to go and take them on Monday and may be see the Minister of Something who plans to be there as well. We also got a good price on a copier scanner for their office.

After this we went to a fabric store like I have never seen before to get material for the orphanage we went to the other day, so that they can sew costumes for the student to perform in a competition.

We are going there on Wednesday and hope to speak in the big school next to the orphanage. We have been there before and had a very good reception.

We went to Tania,s home for a light late lunch and saw Natalia again. She now has not only lost her nose but the Chemo has caused all but 3 teeth to fall out. It is strange but she never lost any hair. For a woman of 48 she looks like a poor old woman. We talked with them and spoke of hope in Christ and then gave them some funds to help them with the further surgery. They both wept openly at the generosity of the Christians in Canada for meeting their need. It was very touching. If only we can see this dear lady made whole; It will cost a great deal for the nose build up and skin graft, but God is able to provide.

Nick and I came home and I washed the outside of our apartment windows. They are lovely new windows but don’t think they had been washed for a long time. Nick made supper of pilemeni and horrible canned peas, but we were satisfied. He has just gone for a walk and I am going to get ready for meeting at 3 pm tomorrow.

Good night and God bless.

Malcolm and Nick.