Spring 2011 - Report #7

Sunday March 27^th

We put our clocks on one hour last night so lost an hour sleep, but did not have to get up early, as we were going to Lviv for the Breaking of Bread which is at 12noon. We left at 10:30 and picked up 3 ladies who wanted to come to the meeting. They had all been in fellowship at Solidarity and looked for the day they could remember the Lord again.

It had snowed in the night but was all wet and yucky. Fortunately, the snow ran out as we neared Lviv and became much warmer. About 18 of us sat down to Break Bread; it was such a joy to hear each brother worship the Lord. I gave a message at the end of the meeting on the 3 “ifs” in Luke 23 and the absence of an “if” in verse 42.

Of course, dear Flo had made a quick meal for us as we might faint on the way home without something to eat. We then packed a box of baby clothes and some blankets and were on our way home. The only problem was that we didn’t leave enough time to get home at 4pm for the meeting here in Ivano. We were 15 minutes late but everyone was waiting outside for us.

We had a good meeting with several people out we had wanted to see, which was an encouragement.

Dan and I were not too hungry so went for a walk and found a “hole in the wall” cafe, where we had a small salad and juice and then headed home to bed.

Monday March 28^th

We found out last night that Luba, one of the sisters that came with us to Lviv, has a daughter who has had a kidney problem and was in a children’s sanatorium in the hills. She was ready to come home today and Luba and her autistic son where going on the bus to get her. As it was going to take 2 hours to get there and 2 hours to come home, we thought we should go and get her. We left at about 10am for the 1 hour trip, so we thought! I can say that I have never ridden on such pot holed roads for so long a distance, in my life. The road was good until we turned off the highway. There were holes that bottomed out the van, full of water. The problem is that the Sanatorium is in a logging area and the logging trucks have destroyed the communist built roads.

Enough about the drive. We met the Administrator of the sanatorium, a very pleasant lady, and told her what we do and wondered if we could speak to the children. She says they will be very happy to have us after the first of April, as they expect to have a full house of children in that week. It seems children come in batches and they were clearing out today. We are looking forward to the visit but NOT the drive. We headed home with another lady and daughter on board who was a neighbour of Luba’s. We invited her to the meetings and hope she comes.

We were completely worn out after the trip but managed to do so things around town and in the apartment. We have plans to visit a baby orphanage with supplies and hopefully a word to staff.

All for now Malcolm and Dan.