Malcolm’s Report #10 for May 4th 5th
and 6th.
Sunday.
We headed for Lviv at 8am once again, not seeing or feeling any
improvement in the road. We had a good meeting and I spoke after the B of B.
Edmund is back in Lviv and is busy once again meeting both spiritual and
material needs of the people in the city and region.
We took a young lady with
us named Tania, who is a nurse. She has been out to several meeting and the
Conference in Lviv, but had never been to an assembly meeting in Lviv. Volodia
had a good opportunity to speak to her on the way home about the things that he
had had questions about, before he got saved. She seems to be interested and we
can only hope she gets saved.
We then headed home and got ready for the meeting at 7pm.
There was a good turn-out of people who gave good attention. This was Howard
and my last Sunday meeting here. There were many hugs and sad good byes.
We went home and got stuff ready for tomorrow’s visit to
Virhovina on the Romanian border.
Monday.
We left at 8:30 for Virhovina, a 3 ½ hour trip. We have 2
optional routes to go and elected to go with the GPS route. We have traveled
this route before but were not prepared for the destroyed roads in the mountain
area. We arrived but with more rattles under the van than we started with. Will
have to have it looked at.
We met the School director Oxana, and were then taken to
speak to a group of teens who are learning English. They were very attentive
and we both spoke and had a great time with them. Some were hoping to be
interpreters, which would be very nice.
We then took our belongings to the place we were going to
stay in for the night. We often wonder why people would build such beautiful
buildings in such awful places. This was no exception, but what a beautiful
place this man had built. A log 3 story lodge. We each had a room with shower,
and a double bed. We looked out of the windows and saw the hills all around and
snow capped mountains in the distance. We really felt we were suffering for the
Lord! Just to say that Oxana the school Director had pre-paid this
accommodation for us and would not let us pay a dime. She so appreciates what
has been done for her school and the message we bring.
As if the accommodation was not enough, we were then invited
to her home for a most delicious supper. We sat at the table at 8pm and got up
at 11pm! They don’t rush their meals. We spoke with her husband about his hope
for eternity, but were very disappointed to hear him say his spirit will leave
him and will find someone else. Such darkness among so much “dead religion”.
Tuesday
We were served breakfast in the lodge by the owners wife.
Not our usual breakfast, but one they are used to. Corn meal with a mushroom
sauce, and tea made from mountain herbs. No toast of coffee!!
We left and went to deliver some bibles we had promised to a
pastor who has several mountain groups he ministers to. Others have met this
man and are very impressed with his zeal in the gospel.
We headed on the “road” (for want of a better word) towards
home but had a school and orphanage to visit on the way in a town named
Vocovets. The contact had been made last fall when we were in Ivano and having
lunch in a Pizza place. Next to our table there were about20 or more Ukrainian
dancers, all in their costumes. I happened to comment on how nice they looked
and then found out the leader spoke English. They were in Ivano to perform in
competition. The leader is the Principal of the school in Vocovets and was
determined we should visit. Dan has already visited and we went again. What an
exciting reception.
We spoke to the juniors first and they were just lovely to
speak to. They do not have an auditorium so we spoke in the dining room. We
then spoke to the older children with the same attention. We were treated to
one of the best lunches we have had and even sent home with a “doggy bag” of home
baked buns. The Principal’s mother was the principal before him and is still
very active in the school. They also have a dormitory/orphanage on the same
grounds as the school. The reason is that many of the children live in the
mountains and come to school on Monday and go home on Friday. Some also have home
problems, we think and stay longer.
We left them with cleaning and cooking supplies for which
they were very grateful.
On the way home we noticed a knocking sound under the van
and determined we had to get it fixed when we got home.
Altogether a most productive we trust, and enjoyable time
away. We were very tired but had our meeting at 7pm with the biggest number we
had out since we came. One young man came for the first time. His name is Vadym
and stopped to talk long after the others had left. We are sure he will be back
to meetings with Dan will continue, as we were having them.
Sleep was very welcome and a good night rest needed.
We trust things will remain quiet and that the election will
go ahead as planned.
Malcolm, Howard and Volodia.
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