Malcolm's Report # 9

Malcolm's report #9

Monday arrived with rain, it seems to have set in fairly regularly until it turns to snow but none yet.

We loaded up with boxes for Yabluniv or “Apple Village” to visit the orphanage/school there along with a maternity hospital and an old folks home. It is so convenient to have them all 5 minutes apart.

We met with the director of the school and spent time with her over a light lunch. I found out that here husband had passed away 3 months ago and she was taking it very hard, even though he had been sick with cancer for several years. We noticed a tear appearing so prayed with her. We then spoke to all the children and several staff. She does a wonderful job a training these children, some who are mentally backward. Her sewing and art teacher is amazing in what she has taught the girls and some boys to do.

She mentioned that she can use even small pieces of cloth as well as bolts of cloth, as she uses material to make pictures with silk flowers and other material, many on display are absolutely beautiful.

We left there and went to what was the maternity ward and found the door padlocked. We found the maternity nurses on the floor below and were told that the mat ward had been closed because of lack of women having babies. They were just talking to one mother to be who was obviously very poor with a mouth of rotten teeth but very sweet, who was in for a 7 month check up. We gave her one of the baby blankets a sister in Portage makes and she was very happy. We were told that most of the women go into the bigger cities to have their babies, as Labluniv is very small.

The old peoples home is in the same building as the hospital and we were very surprised to see a new entrance and ramp. As soon as we got inside we could see many improvements.

The Director Yuri was not in but came in about half an hour later. He was new to us and is obviously a go-getter. We spent about half an hour talking with him and the lady Maryanna, who is now in charge of the actual home in Yabluniv, he is director of 4 different areas of social work such as visiting homes to see who is eligible to come into the home, others who are asking for financial assistance and so on. He has made major renovations so far and is planning even more such as their own kitchen instead of carrying food from the hospital kitchen. He left Maryanna to organize a meeting and we met with about 20 or so as well as staff. They were very happy to have clothing and any help we may be able to offer.

We were then invited to have lunch with a 90% blind lady, another Maria and her son

(who was really not too well with a high temperature) and her mother. We had a nice meal in their one room and a kitchen apartment. How do people manage like this for years, she has raised 2 children here?

Tuesday was again wet and quite cool but no snow. We headed to the Half Way House, as we call it and met with the now assistant director Maria, as her son has now taken over as Director and she is now working with the children on a one on one basis and is enjoying it. They have made the changes they talked about a year ago and now can keep the children for 9 months instead of 3 which helps in school as they can give more time to their studies after settling down in the new environment. They have more children that they used to have and 6 more arrived while we were there. 4 had just been found sleeping under some stairs, after running away from home because of the drunkenness and abuse at home. Then the police brought 2 more in while we were speaking, the one about 3 years old and the other about 6. We didn't hear anything about these two.

The others listened very well as we gave them a simple gospel message. Some of the children are in their mid teens.

We had shopping to do for more parts for our hoist for the boxes which is already a great asset to loading the boxes.

At 4 pm we met with Svetlana, our former interpreter, for a light supper in a restaurant. Sveta now works in the Arab Emirets but was home in Ivano for a week. It was good to see her as she was our interpreter for several years and got saved during her time with us.

She then came with us to meeting at 6 pm. There were a few less number of people out but we had good attention and conversations afterwards.

Time is flying by so pray that we will know God's guidance and blessing in the remaining days here.

Malcolm Howard and Volodia.