Ukraine Spring Report #3

Report #3 for Monday and Tuesday.

We awoke to a lovely sunny day. The streets are still puddled after the rain but the grass is green and tulips are in full bloom everywhere. Spring has really sprung.

Nick had his first really bad “jetlag night” and had cleaned up the stove and kitchen cupboards by 5am, as he could not sleep most of the night. Needless to say he was not too bright for breakfast.

After a good breakfast of good old toast and Jam we headed out to our more than regular trip to the “cleaning supply warehouse” and then to the “food and everything else supermarket”. We were picking up supplies for the orphanage at Lopartin that we have visited for many years. It is located about an hour away in a rather run down little town. Since we first went, it has undergone a major renovation of the school building and the building of a new dormitory and dining building for the 140 boys and girls.

One may ask, “Why do they need you to visit then?” The answer is twofold. They get no funds for clothing, very little for cleaning supplies or any craft or gym equipment. Also there is always an opportunity to speak to the whole school of both students and many staff.

Nick had his first opportunity to speak to them and did very well. I finished off with a quick word on the “The Still Living Christ”. It is still Easter week here and everyone greets you with “Christos vos crest” or “Christ is risen”.

We then went for tea with the Administrator Vasil and had a great opportunity to speak to him about the Lord.

We came right home as we had to get ready for Tuesday and we were all really weary.

Tuesday arrived bright, warm and sunny. Flo’s famous pancakes for breakfast (she had to eat the one she burnt!).

Ruslan arrived early and so we had devotions together. Then off to the (Food and everything else market) to get supplies for the orphanage in Yospowich, where we have done major repairs to the building in the past. We had a problem getting out of town as both Flo and Nick could not access any funds with their new debit cards. The cards now have a security chip and it seems that Ukraine has not updated their debit machines to recognize them. We went right down town to try a new bank that we were told might accept them, but to no avail. Well the traffic was chaotic. Nowhere to park and streets jammed. We eventually got underway by about 11 am.

As usual we received a royal reception and unloaded our produce. We were told that they had a problem with the main septic tank and so went to inspect it. They had had someone dig a trench between the building and the tank and it was now partly full of sewage. The septic tank was full and overflowing and the overflow was running down the garden in a stream.

We found out that they could not afford to have the septic tank pumped out as it held 4 trucks full of sewage and it cost 200rhivny for each load a total of 800r or just over $100.00. We were able to supply the funds to have the sewage removed and have arranged to have the plumber put in a new pipe from the build. To leave it in that condition is most unhealthy and needs immediate attention, we thought.

Some funds were also left to finishing plastering the outside around the new windows that have been installed.

After tea and cookies, we left to visit our ex-doctor-come-woodcarver friend Misha and his wife and children. They live very close to Lopartin.

We found them home. He was outside at his “Carving shed” and welcomed us heartily. We delivered food supplies for his family of 8 altogether. I then made him a special donation sent to him from friends in Canada. He intends to buy another bed and do some very necessary renovations. He hopes to empty the two room apartment they live in and fumigate it to rid it of the cockroaches! We had a very nice talk to him about salvation by faith, not just faith in the church and good works. They are very Catholic in practice. We would value your prayers for Misha, his wife Maria and their 3 sons and 3 daughters.

We are planning a good day tomorrow.

Good night.

Ukraine Spring Report #2

Report #2 for Saturday and Sunday.

We have not been too busy yet as we were still getting used to the time change. I am not doing too badly but Nick is struggling.

On Saturday we went out to the village of Nesnevachi, where we first had meetings with Ross Vanstone and the Seed Sower group. It is always good to see Grandma Stephka, in whose home we used to meet. The meetings went on weekly until the Priest got up in church and told the people that Stephka was having Cult meetings in her home. She began to be rejected by her neibours and village people and so we ended the meetings.

We then visited another family there who had just lost the grandfather and father and had been in mourning for a week or two. They are a lovely family of grandma, Mother and three very blond girls. The middle girl plays the bandura, a harp like instrument shaped like a very large mandolin. She sings along beautifully.

Volodia, the young man who lives in Lviv and interprets at our meetings was there, as the girls are his cousins. He is a most remarkable young man, in his last year at university. His hobby though is welding and machining. He is presently making a 3 wheel bike for his grandma and others to go to the field and work and bring back produce. It is literally a mechanical marvel and will have a steering wheel and gear leaver. It will be pedal powered, by the way!

We spent the evening at the apartment unpacking and sorting some boxes of clothing that had arrived earlier.

Sunday, we started to get the room ready for the meeting at 12 noon. Boxes and piles of clothes and shoes everywhere, but we made it.

About 16 people came to the meeting and we had a good sing and then I spoke followed by Nick.

We talked about the baptism to be held on Saturday, God willing. There are probably 3 wanting to be baptized.

We finished off getting boxes ready for an early start in the morning to the orphanage in Lopartin.

All for now, it looks as though Flo has a busy week planned.

God bless.

Malcolm

Ukraine Spring Report #1

Report #1 for April 8^th 2010

Praise the Lord for a good trip back to Lviv from Winnipeg. We travelled with Lufthansa and Air Canada and was very pleased with the connections and in-flight service.

Nick Mazerolle from Mitchell Manitoba, is with me for his first time. It will be an eye opener in many ways as the culture is so different. For instance, we went to get some money changed and changed at a little window right on the sidewalk, not inside a bank like we are used to. You couldn’t even see the teller!

We had an hour’s sleep mid afternoon and then had supper. By 9:30 we were finished physically and headed for bed. We both had a good nights sleep and were awake at 7ish.

Good news is that there is water 24/7 now and hot water as well so had a good shower.

Flo made us crepes for breakfast, I think she is concerned about our weight, only putting it on, not taking it off!

David Winkles is also with us and will be with Flo until she goes home. We all headed out to visit the young children’s orphanage, quite close to our home here. They knew we were coming and so the children put on a lovely song and dance display for us. It was really lovely; they were about 4 to 5 years old. We gave out candy and balloons and I spoke for about 5 minutes, then we gave glasses to the staff that needed them.

We finished up down town shopping at Vernasage Market getting some gifts to bring home.

We are not planning much more today as we will no doubt suffer from Jet lag later today. The boys have gone for a walk as I have now got on line.

Will close off now.

Malcolm

Prayer Partners Needed for Upcoming Trip to Ukraine

Dear Brethren and Sisters.

Once again a number of brethren and sisters are planning God willing, to go to Ukraine to distribute the scriptures and humanitarian aid and preach the Word, in this most needy bankrupt country.

The recent election does not give any hope of better things, unless coming more and more under socialist control is “getting better”.

Our greatest concern is for the door for the gospel and distribution of the Word of God to still be open. As of right now, the door is wide open.

Meetings have continued in Flo Kancir’s apartment and she is returning on March 3rd for her usual bi-annual visit.

Louis Smith and Dan Perez are going on March 18^th, Dan for his first time.

I plan to go for the month of April with a young brother from Southern Manitoba Nick Mazerolle. This will be Nick’s first time as well.

In conversation with one of our men over there, he sounded very discouraged with everything Ukrainian! The cost of utilities, corruption on every hand, the poor health care, etc. etc. He rented a garage to do his automotive repair and during the Ukrainian Christmas or New Year the garage and several other businesses were robbed of everything of value, computers, diagnostic equipment and the safes and cash boxes. A dentist office was emptied of everything as well as a watch and clock repair shop. The security man was beaten and left tied up in a locked office.

What is most upsetting is that the police rarely catch the criminals or recover any stolen goods.

He told me that if it wasn’t for his faith he didn’t know what he would do. He trying to save again for equipment.

This is just one of the sort of thing that almost everyone has to tell of. Sometimes it is loss of jobs, many times it is the inability to afford medications that have been prescribed by doctors, some unable to get the medications they need before getting surgery. Much of the funds we dispense is to supply the needs of the Christians and those who are recommended as particularly needy people.

I am sure many are still sick from the flu and H1N1 epidemic that swept the country. Thankfully we were able to leave the country during the first week of the quarantine, without suffering any ill effects. Thank you for those who knew we were there and prayed for us.

I will close with this and try to keep you up to date with what is going on once I get there.

Your Brother in Christ.

Malcolm Stanley.

Christian Assembly Work in Ukraine.

210 Alfred Ave.

Portage la Prairie MB

R1N0H3

204 857 9074.

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #19

Friday Nov 6 Report # 19

We had a bad day today, we were heading off to go to see the gypsies and two other places when Ruslan noticed a problem with the right front wheel. We reckoned that a bearing had gone so picked one up at the Auto market and crept along to a garage. It is a very nice modern one with 4 hoists. We put the van up and found the outer bearing had given out, not only given out but damaged the spindle. Well to make a long story short, the parts were so hard to get off the mechanic had to take the whole axle assembly off the van and we had to go get a new one. It took about 3 and a half hours to get the parts and then install them. What a way to start the day. While we were waiting, we called Stephan, another driver we use at times and he took Flo to get some produce for the gypsies and others.

Well we got loaded into our van and headed off to the gypsies. By the time we got there it was dark.

hese gypsies live in an old collective farm. They seem to have electricity as there was a light on but no cookers or other appliances. They all gathered outside and we gave a little word and then gave out candies and took their pictures. They get sooo excited to see themselves on the camera.

We had taken a sample plastic tarp over to see if they would be suitable for their tents. They were sure they would be absolutely suited for that. There are several different camps of Gypsies, only these ones live in a building part of the year.

We left there and went to visit a Christian lady named Vera with 4 little children. Her husband was saved with 2 other man while in prison. He was away working in Moscow and so we didn’t see him but according to Flo he is a lovely Christian man. The eldest child was a boy aged 6 and the 3 girls went down to a year old. It is so nice to be in a home where there is evidence of the peace of God in it.

Vera prepared us a lovely meal of home cooked and baked food. We left some bags of produce and clothes and headed home on dark country roads with people walking on the road and others on bikes with no lights or reflectors. It is no wonder there are so many crosses along the roads.

We got home very tired but were glad to have done something.

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #18

Thursday November 5^th Report #18

It looked very much like snow when we got up and by noon it was snowing after a time of rain. Everywhere is a real mess but we headed out, after sorting a lot of boxes for Flo to empty, to pick up the two boys Vasil and Ura and their dad Roman. They had already had their eyes tested early in the morning so we met them to go and pick out some glasses frames. We got some nice ones, suitable for young boys and left them with the prescriptions. They will be ready tomorrow, good service for bi-focals. Both pairs cost us exactly $100.00 Cdn. That’s $50.00 each pair.

We then took them out for pizza at a lovely café in the Mall. All very new but good food. It was something to watch the boys, I doubt they have ever eaten out before.

We then headed out to a home for mentally challenged boys in a village named Starry Rosdeal, (that’s how it is pronounced). In Ukrainian that means “Old chapter”. It is well named as it is “old” and the last “chapter” as far as anything modern or clean and useful. The home is an old monastery and is probably almost forgotten by most people except the “health police” who come regularly to try and find something wrong so that they can fine the administrator. They found something not long ago and fined him personally 1.000R about $140.00 to us but a month’s wages to him. You wonder why they still carry on working. We left cleaning supplies, the most needed things and pampers for the bedridden.

We headed back to town and shopped at the large Metro store for product for several poor and sick people.

Flo made a good supper for us of chicken and the trimmings.

All for now.

Thank you for praying.

Malcolm and Howard and Flo.

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #17

Wednesday Nov 4^th Report #17

Before we could get out, a shipment of33 boxes came from Seattle and had to be stacked in the various bedrooms. We were glad to get glasses but will not have much time to distribute any of them.

We then went to visit a family of 5 children who are being raised by a father and old uncle. There are 3 girls and 2 boys. Martha is the oldest at 14 and has to be mother as their mother left them when the youngest boy was 6 months old. The father, Roman, was at work but we were received royally. All the children were home as schools are all closed.

They live in an old log type house with 3 rooms. The middle one is a utility type room. The place was spotless, as usual, and everything was tidy. All the children are absolutely delightful. Happy and appreciative of what we brought them. Martha said that they all help to keep the house clean and clean it through twice a week.

I noticed that the one boy, Uri was wearing glasses that looked rather bent. I asked him for them and saw that they had been all soldered up by his father. We decided that we would get him some new glasses as he had to sit about 12 inches away from something to read it. We found out that his little brother Vasil needed glasses but had never had any. We planned to contact their father when he came home.

Flo had brought a large bag of clothes and these were distributed much to their delight.

We left with a real feeling of sadness that these kids had no mother that loved and cared for them.

We came home and prepared for meeting. There were about 16 out as some were sick or working.

We both spoke as Misha had a head ache and was not out.

After meeting we had lunch and talked about the baptism of Vasil to be held on Saturday Noon at the Baptist church in Lviv. We were hoping for more than one to be baptized but as yet have not heard of any more.

All for now

Malcolm.

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #16

Tuesday Nov.3^rd Report from Lviv # 16

Our day was not going to be a great day of visiting as most places are either closed or people don’t want visitors. The panic has really taken hold over here. Streets and stores almost deserted compared to usual. Most people wearing masks that the drug stores have boosted in price from 1 R to 5R or more.

People are being gouged by the pharmacies for their medications and yet I heard tonight that there is nothing like the number of pneumonia cases as there usually are at this time of year.

Well we went to get two more prescriptions for needy Christians. I don’t know how they pay for them when we are not here. Two of the people needed medication for liver problems.

We then went to a town 20 km away to see if we could find the grave of the grandfather of a brother in Winnipeg. We didn’t have too much to go on except a last name. I have never looked at so many old graves. It is amazing how many years they have been putting pictures on the headstones. Some photos are 50 to 60 years old and are still clear. We eventually found a grave of a man who may be the one we were looking for.

Our visit reaped something of a blessing when we met a man who was placing a new headstone on a grave. Howard gave him a John 3:16 fridge magnet, he was thrilled as he was a Christian. He willingly took Seed Sowers and a packet of New Testaments. He gave us his name and phone # and would like us to visit his village with Bibles and texts at a later date.

We headed home and had lunch and got ready for meeting at 5pm. Flo arrived from Lviv with Misha and Ruslan. There were about 25 people plus us so the room was well filled. Howard, I then Misha spoke and we were finished in the hour. Lots of farewells and hugs as we left for Lviv.

Misha is going to try to have meetings while we are away.

God bless and please keep praying that none will get the flu and that flights out of Ukraine will not be cancelled.

Malcolm

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #15

Monday Nov 2 Report #15

Thankfully Vadym was up before us this morning and although rather plugged up in his nose, will probably be ok now. Although there is a real paranoia about Swine Flu there are many people sick with the flu, not the Swine flu.

We decided to go to an old folks home today as there is no point going to schools or orphanages as they are closed. It is amazing how children without parents suddenly find someone to look after them for the short term.

I had to change some money in town. This might seem strange but Vadym phones a man on the street near the market and asks him what the exchange is on the Canadian Dollar. He phones back later and gives us his rate. It will be anywhere from 7.2 today to 7.4 the other day. The bank is paying 7.0 Hrivney for 1 Cdn dollar. We then drive up to him as he stands on the sidewalk and he give me the money through the van window. I don’t even have to count it, he is never wrong and is a friend of Vadym.

We bought a few items and then headed for the Meeting Room to pick up the boxes of clothing and adult pampers for the old people’s home in a little village near Rohatin. We talked with Marika who was busy again sorting the boxes we had brought over, with her mother and a young man who is helping.

We headed away a little later for the 1 hour or so trip through lovely fall countryside. This morning we had the first white frost on everything.

We did not stay long in the home as the Director was off sick with Pneumonia so we carried the boxes into the store room and left again for home.

One of the things they have the biggest problem funding is laundry and personal soap also toilet bowl cleaner. As soon as we got back to Ivano we bought the products and hope to get it to them very soon. We have been to this home several times and they all have bibles, Texts and glasses.

We went for a well earned coffee as we had not had one since breakfast and it was now after 3 pm.

Please note some of the hardships of the missionary in a land void of Tim Horton’s.

Hoping to do some visiting tomorrow but it really is a problem with so much sickness everywhere.

We have a meeting tomorrow at 5 pm and Flo and Ruslan are coming down for the meeting and we will go back with them to Lviv.

All for now.

Malcolm

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #14

Saturday

We are still well. We went to bed at 10;30 and a few minutes later we heard the front door open and a man’s voice call out for Vadym. He was in bed in the other room so I went to the top of the stairs and there was a doctor with a nurse. They came and checked him out and gave him a needle, and said his lungs were clear but he had a temp.

Went to visit Natalia with MS. The poor girl has an allergic reaction to medication with a massive red blistered area on her face. She is taking medication for it.

We gave her a set of Ukrainian NT on CD. She was thrilled.

Ps Vadym woke this morning (Sunday) feeling much better. His temperature was down. He stayed in bed most of the day but says he will be fine for Monday to take out some clothing boxes to an orphanage and may be an old folks home. We should be able to meet the old people.

We had 20 people out to meeting and they listened well. Again there were people asking for help with prescriptions for themselves and children. It never ends.

One lady who always has us over to her home for a rabbit meal, could not have us as she is renovating so brought us a pot with rabbit and potatoes, a jar of pickled tomatoes a bag of apples and a bag of walnuts. The rabbit was wonderful and there’s enough for tomorrow.

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #13

Well the flu has hit Vadym. Woke up with it this am and went to the doctor even though his wife is a doctor. I guess everyone is worried about the H1N1 virus which starts with Flu like symptoms. He is home in bed and I just gave him Neo Citran Flue drink.

Well what would we do? We decided to get the bus to the centre and get Howards Bible that he left at the meeting Room last Thursday. We thought we would have coffee with Tania, if her coffee shop was open. It wasn’t, it was quarantined for Sat and Sunday. I phoned Tania, she was down town with her little brother so came to meet us at the White House Government building. We decided to find a coffee shop to talk in but every one was closed, a quarantined notice on the window. There were hardly any people around which was most unusual for a Saturday, most were wearing masks or covering their faces like Muslims, weird!

We didn’t have a key to the Meeting Room so phoned Marika who went and got the bible and brought it to us. The only place we found open was the Pizza Place so we met there, the only people in the restaurant.

We met for about one hour and had some good conversations about communication and Vadym etc. Marika is very protective of him as she appreciates all he does with regard to the boxes etc. We made the decision to use Tania as a contact person if and when we can’t reach Vadym. She will pass on messages to Marika or find the problem with Vadym not responding, if this happens again.

Marika is a most efficient and tireless worker, as is her mother. She talks a little too much but is a good communicator but not in English.

So we headed to get a bus home and the ladies saw us safely ON THE WRONG BUS! No problem, it went half way home and then turned of so we got off and walked the rest of the way, it was a nice walk.

As we walked we decided that we would load the small van with the boxes from the house hear and take them to the Meeting Room. We took to loads of 8 boxes each. I drove and we had no problem at all. Now there is more sorting for Marika to do on Monday or when ever.

We came home to a fish fry that Svetta had cooked us. It was very good and I came up to study for tomorrow, they want a meeting.

Malcolm

Ukraine Fall 2009 Report #12

Friday October 30. Report #12.

The weather is rather unsettled, sunny and then light rain but not too uncomfortable.

We planned to do some necessary shopping for prescription drugs for 4 people who attend the meetings.

Things are very subdued in this area owing to the announcement this morning that several people who died within the last few days had H1N1 virus. There is a quiet panic of people cleaning out the pharmacies of cold remedies and face masks. We were in a large department store yesterday and all the staff had medical masks on. We were in the market today and many of the shoppers and store keepers were wearing masks.

So far about 20 deaths have been attributed to the virus. The Prime Minister broadcast today that all schools and daycares will be closed for 3 weeks. There are to be no public meetings, even the pre-election rallies have been cancelled.

So what does this mean to us? Namely two things, the one is that we cannot visit any schools or orphanages, at least to speak to children and secondly, we hope that Poland does not close the border, as it has said it might do, when we head home on Nov 11. We are also wondering about the wisdom to hold any more meetings.

Please pray for wisdom and good health and that things will settle down and the panic will subside.

All for now.

Malcolm