First report from Ukraine on October 16th from Malcolm and Howard.

Report #1 for Oct 16^th to 20th

Howard Pratt and I had good flights to Ukraine and no questions at Customs in Lviv. Everything seems normal here, no military presence or extra police.

We were met by Ruslan, our driver and Edmund and Agnes Johnston the full time worker here in Lviv and area. We were taken to our new apartment to unload and relax until going for Supper at the Johnston’s. Rene Sampson from Nova Scotia is sharing the apartment with us.

We all attended the prayer meeting at 7pm and prayed specifically for the gospel meetings to start on Monday evening and go on for a week. The situation in Ukraine was also prayed for.

We both slept well on Friday night, sleeping through to 8am for me and 8:45 for Howard. This was good considering the 8 hour time difference.

We spent the Saturday shopping for things we needed such as a coat for me as I forgot mine at home, arriving at the airport in Winnipeg with my wife’s black coat, instead of mine! You can laugh now but I was NOT very happy with myself.

Sunday. 20^th We spent a good day at the assembly here, with a nice number of believers out plus 4 children and 2 visitors. Howard spoke a word of encouragement. We had a good lunch at the hall and then went home to relax until going out to a home in a village for a good visit and supper. We are hoping to see members of this home come out to the gospel meetings.

Monday 21^st. Last night was to be my Jet-lag night. Sitting wide awake reading at the kitchen table from 4am until 4:30am! Fitful sleep until 7:30. We all went to the store to buy product for a very special home for mentally challenged young men and children named Stari Rosdiial. The home was once, hundreds of years ago, a monastery. We were met by some of the brighter boys who carry the food and product inside. The male administrator in a very nice and good man who loves his boys and they all love him. We then go into almost all of the rooms where the severe cases are in beds. It is very sad to see them but the care in this place is excellent. We left a banana for each patient.

 We then went to a meeting room with about 20 of the brighter men and sang the song “Jesus loves me” in Ukrainian. Most of them knew it as several of them can read. One of them came and quoted a verse 1 Cor 15:3. Christ died for our sins, pointing to each of his 5 fingers. I then spoke to them for about 10 minutes. We gave every patient a banana and candies.

At 7pm we had our first of 5 gospel meetings in the hall with 19 people out, 3 children and one adult not saved as yet. Our interpreter from Ivano, Sasha, was to be at the meeting tonight, but called to say he was half way here and the bus broke down. He did not arrive until about 9:39pm. Too bad as he is still not saved but wants to be at the meetings. He is staying with us until Thursday.                                     Please pray for the elections to be held this weekend that good people will be elected.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.                                                                                                    Malcolm and Howard.