Dan's Reports: #1

Sunday, 6 of November

A full van load Left for Lviv early morning for the remembrance of our Lord and there Malcolm stayed behind for he will be going back home to his wife and family this week. While he was here we covered good ground, the Lord opened the doors for two more schools here in Ivano-Frankivsk and both of the principals of these schools are interested in us coming on a regular basis combining “Christian Ethics” with English as a class, not sure where this will go yet.

We also got a long overdue song book for our gathering to the printer, it will be completed this month. We can hardly wait to have them!

We got back in time for our meeting here with about 20 out.

On Monday we got a legal document made that explains our purpose here in Ukraine. This is needed in order for us to visit the prisons here, our first request was denied due to lack of this document. 

We visited a school/orphanage today and had a talk with the principal about having a meeting with the kids. The school is in town and has close to 500 students and about 150 live there. The principal was very easy to talk to and with just a few questions granted our request and set up two classes to speak to on Wednesday.

Tuesday had a brief visit with Andre (Vadym’s father in-law). One of his daughters will be getting married this month plus he is still going to the village on the weekends and gathering up the vegetables. Earlier this year he was showing some interest in wanting to get a better understanding of the Bible and his own standing before God but got busy and hasn’t been out to the meetings but still shows some interest. One of the tactics of the enemy is to keep those who show interested so busy that they lose all interest.  I hope he does not succeed with Andre!  We had our evening meeting, lighter than usual but thought they listened well.

Thank You for all your interest, please continue to pray!!

In Christ our Lord

Dan

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #11

Report #11 from Malcolm

Monday Oct. 8th.

Went to the airport 50 minutes before the flight to Munich, only to find it had left one hour earlier due to the daylight time change being changed here in Ukraine and no one had notified us of the change. I was the second in line to be told the same thing.

Oh well, God must need me here for another couple of days as the next flights out are on Thursday. I phoned Jean and she was able to book me again with Aeroplan except that I must overnight in Frankfurt.

I guess I learned a good lesson to check flights a day or so before flying.

At least I will be here for the Wednesday night meeting and we are going to the Carpathian mountains tomorrow.

Tuesday.

After loading up 8 boxes plus the 3 or so of Edmund and Agnes’s, we headed off to stock up on food items from the local department store, before hitting the road for the Carpathian Mountain town of Holovesco.  On the way we stopped at the town of Strei to drop off some clothing for the doctor who carves wooden figures, and whose son was recently hit by a bus and received head injuries. We met his mother on the road and she said he was doing well now and was back at school. PTL.

We then headed to the mountains on a nice bright day. Everything looks nice in its fall colours, but we did not see any signs of snow, which was a blessing as they do get very much snow. We met our “guide” Natalia, who has been our guide to the poorest families in the region. She is an English teacher in the 2 small schools in the two villages close by. We went to one of these villages and waited as the people gathered. Some walked down the mountain side as the houses are mostly up the mountains. When we had a crowd, I spoke a word in the gospel. They listened very respectfully. We then gave each family produce and clothing.

We then went back to one of Natalia’s sister’s home, who has 14 children. She gave us lunch and when we had finished about 15 or so women and children had gathered outside. Edmund spoke to them and then we gave out the rest of the produce and clothes. It had turned rather cold as the sun set behind the mountains and we were glad to get in van and head home after a very good day. Natalia was one of the “first fruits of Holovesko”. When we went there many years ago, she got the people together in the community hall and interpreted the 2-roads chart for us. She told us later that she trusted in Christ as she interpreted the chart. She is now married with 2 little girls.

Wednesday was a “get ready for meeting and going home” sort of day, but we had a nice prayer and gospel meeting in the evening.

Thursday we made sure we were at the airport in time and everything went well. I had to stay overnight in Frankfurt so it meant I got home on Friday afternoon, weary but not as tired as other times.

Thank all of you for praying for me and Dan and Howard at Ivano Frankivsk and Flo and Heather in Lviv. All except Dan will be heading home this month, Dan is staying until January. Please pray for him.

I will send an update on the work going to begin in Verkovna school, following this report.

God bless and keep you all in His love.

Malcolm

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #9

Note:  Since Malcolm wrote this report, he missed his plane in Lviv, it left one hour earlier. I have made reservations for him to fly out from Lviv on Thursday Nov 10th arriving in Winnipeg Friday 11^th. The lord must have more work for him to do in Ukraine. Jean

Report #9 for Saturday and Sunday Oct 5&6^th.

Saturday morning we went to a service centre to get them to see what the klunk was under the vehicle.

They put it on a hoist and found it needs two rubbers on the torsion bar. Thankfully it was not more serious and they can do it on Monday at nine am.

We then did some shopping for a folding bed and found one for just under $100. We intend to stand the King size bed up to the wall and use a folding bed instead. This should give us a lot more room to sort clothes in the bedroom. (don’t worry, we got permission to stand the bed up from the landlady. It should be quite safe. But pray for Howard!).

We then had lunch and headed to the school for the children’s meeting and were glad to have about 15 kids out. They played very well together and were well behaved when Howard spoke to them. They learned a verse and sang a chorus in both English and Ukrainian. Dan was very excited and hopes there will be more next Saturday.

We went home and got ready to take Svetlana our interpreter and her husband Andre and her mother out for supper. We had a good meal of Shish Kabob or Shishleek in Ukrainian. We left the restaurant in a pea soup fog and wondered if it would be clear in the morning.

Sunday came and we headed to Lviv in beautiful sunny weather. This was to be my last meeting and I spoke after the B/B. With many hugs and kisses, we parted with the Ivano folk, Dan and Howard and 6 others.

We went out with Flo and Heather to Nesnevachy, the first village we had meeting in when we came to Ukraine. Stefka, a relative welcomed us heartily as usual. It was in her homes that Ross Vanstone and I had good Gospel meetings when the Seed Sower group came over. The family were there and we had a good country meal together. Stefka is not at all well after having 6 surgeries on her abdomen and she had a large hernia now. She is 82 and won’t go in for any more surgery.

Came back and got ready to leave tomorrow at 1:50pm for Munich and home. Thank you for showing interest in our activities that we trust will bring glory to God in time to come.

God bless and thank you for your prayers. Dan will send reports periodically.

Malcolm

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #8

Report #8 for Thursday Oct.3^rd. - Friday Oct. 4^th
We had an early start with a class at 8am in school 21, a new school to us. This was an English speaking class and so we didn’t need an interpreter. They teach English very well in Ukraine. We gave out N/T’s and John 3:16’s. The teacher stayed and talked for a long time.
We went to see the Principal afterwards and had a good talk with him. He is a Bible reading Catholic and seems to lean towards Charismatic Catholicism, but seems very happy with our presentation and wants us to come regularly.
He then gave us an address of an orphanage in another town for us to visit.

We then went to another school and spoke to about 80 students in their auditorium. There was a wonderful reception here and the old tradition, the first for this trip, of signing their N/T’s. Wow! Talk about wrist cramp. Even the teachers wanted theirs signed. Then they wanted group pictures with us in. It was  very good reception for a new school.

We were invited out for supper with Oleg and Ola, good Christian friends. They wanted to take us to a new motel restaurant about 20k out of town. Well it was not where they thought it was and we got really off track. We eventually saw it on a hill, surrounded by a fence all lit up with round lights on posts. To say is was great is the understatement of the year. It had only been open for 3 months.
The menu was magnificent, the service the best.
Out of interest, we got a tour of the rooms. They were the best we had ever seen in our lives and only 300R ($40) per night, including breakfast. Enough about it, but I will include a picture of the 300 seat banquet room.

Today we headed to the Sanatorium we had told you about, where children go for respite after some illness. The room was packed with 100 children  plus staff. They were from about 6 years to teenagers. They listened and participated very well and we were invited back whenever we can come. If it wasn’t for the road, we would go back more often. It also takes 2 hours to get there. We did manage to find a less disasterous road for our return.

We came back to Ivano and did some business with our land lady, who is also Notary Public regarding our vehicle.

We came home and made supper with the remaining pot of goat meat stew, given to us from one of our ladies from meeting. It was very good.

Thank you for praying for us.
Dan, Howard and Malcolm

Note. Malcolm leaves for home on Monday

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #7

Monday was a day we planned to go to my favourite orphanage in this area, in the
village of Yablunuv, which I understand means "Apple village" . We planned to
make a good day of it and visit the village school first. We spoke to about 30
teens and had a good time with them.
Then we went to the orphanage and took some clothing and 2 boxes of thread for
their sewing room.
Howard took 3 balls he had bought in Lviv with money his 3 grand-daughters had
given him for that purpose. There was one soccer ball and 2 volley balls. That is
so sweet when children in Canada think of children in Ukraine.
Dan then spoke to the children about the lost sheep, using some of the kids.
It went very well.
We then visited the maternity hospital to take some baby blankets for new-borns.
We went in a different door this time and went right up to the ward. We had never
been allowed up before so could not get a picture; this time we did. There was
only one young woman in at that time and so we gave her the blanket and a warm
scarf. She was from a mountain village and so came in a month before she was due.
She was very sweet and very appreciative. I will try to post her picture.
We went back to Ivano and were invited to Svetlana, our interpreter's home for
supper. Her mother prepared a scrumptious supper. As we were finishing, Howard
got up and went to the washroom. When he came back he was shaking uncontrollably.
He had no pain but could not stop shaking and was finding it hard to breath. The
family called the ambulance and it came very quickly with two paramedics. They
checked his B/P and found it very high. They gave him a couple on injections and
said they wanted to take him to the hospital.
He walked down the ambulance and Dan and I followed at break-neck speed. A doctor
checked him out and took a blood sample. He had stopped shaking but felt very
weak. She said there was nothing wrong with his blood and she suggested he go
home, as the hospital was full of people with the flu; so off home we went with
no charges for ambulance or doctor.
Howard laid low yesterday and is almost back to normal today, Wednesday PTL.
Yesterday, Ruslan (our driver in Lviv) came from Lviv with a man who can do most
of the work on the washrooms in Verhovina. He was supposed be here at 9:30 but
didn't arrive until 11:30 because of thick fog all the way here. We headed off to
Verhovia, hoping the fog had lifted, and it had and we had lovely sunshine
through the mountains. We did an assessment of the job and availability of
materials. Ruslan will head up the job for us, once Flo Kancir returns to Canada.
He hopes to start on November 19th. When we have a job like this, it is very
important to have a trustworthy man who will control the expenses. Ruslan will do
that and will come up for a week or two with the man and can stay at the school
dormitory and also get their meals.
It was a very long day and I got back at 6pm, just as the meeting started.
Dan took the meeting as Howard was not up to preaching.
Today we had to speak to two classes of students in the largest school in this
Oblast. Over 1200 from 1 to 12 grades. This was a new school and we have a large
group to speak to again tomorrow. It is also the school where we will be having
the Saturday afternoon Children's Meetings in the Gym.
Our good friends Oleg and Ola wanted to take us out for supper tonight at a new
hotel in the country. We headed in the right direction but turned on what Oleg
thought was the right road but found out 20 or so Kms on, that we were on the
wrong road. We eventually found it, perched on a hill and visible for miles. What
a gorgeous place. Only 3 months old and I would say 6 star rating. We went on a
tour of the rooms. Unbelievable! And only R300 per night or $40.00, including
breakfast. It had a banquet room for 300 guests and they have been doing 2
wedding a week. The Honeymoon suite is included free with a banquet. A great meal
for the 5 of us.
And so to bed, tired but well fed today.
God bless and please don't forget to pray for us.
Malcolm, Dan and Howard.

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #6

Report#6 for Thursday Oct.27th to Sunday Oct.30th Thursday was a fix things kind
of day. Not necessarily broken but jobs to be done. We went to order a round
stamp to make some of letters more official looking. We needed to pick it up on
Friday. We can't get things done this quickly at home. We took in the words we
wanted on the stamp and they said it would be ready by 2:30pm on Thursday. All
for 150 R or $20.00.
We then went to the principal/Administrator of School 22 where we are having the
Saturday meetings for Children in their gym. He had his teacher who was the
Christian Ethics teacher and they asked us what we intended to say and do. When
we told them they booked us for 2 days this week. Two classes one day and a large
group in the auditorium the other day. He then phoned another school and made us
an appointment with that Principal. What a God send to find this man.
We had our meeting in the evening with a good number out once again. I had
forgotten to mention that we went to see Natalia, the lady with Ms, the other
day. She is not getting any better, in fact she had problems holding her head up
now, and keeps looking at the ceiling. She is so sweet and doesn't want us to
feel sorry for her. We took some adult pampers once again, as they find them very
expensive to buy.
On Friday we picked up the stamp and got some money changed. The Canadian has
really gained from 7:50 to 7:90r to the Dollar. US was 7:95Rr.
 As we were expecting more people to go to the Conference in Lviv than we could
get in our van, we went to the bus depot to find a 15 passenger van to take us
all to Lviv. This was to no avail as firstly there were no 15 passenger vans and
all the others we booked to go to places. Well lastly we found a man with a van
taxi who was willing to take us, but it was only a 9 passenger. So that meant we
had to take our van too. We had no other option but to hire him for 600r for the
one trip , or about $78.00. We said we would make arrangements from Lviv to get
home. We planned to leave at 4pm and the people were ready, but about 4 people
dropped out at the last minute which left us with 7 of them and the 3 of us. We
couldn't help it and so all the others went with the taxi and us three in our
vehicle. A bit disappointing but as they say, this is Ukraine!
We got to the big Baptist church half an hour before the evening meeting and they
were insistent that we ate some soup and sandwiches before meeting started.
About 70 people were there for the first meeting from Lutsk, Ivano and Lviv of
course. This conference was to celebrate the first anniversary of the Lviv
Assembly.
 The first meeting was for prayer and gospel. A visiting brother from Ireland
Lawrence Mc Hugh and our own Howard Pratt. Most of the people stay at the church
as it had a boarding facility up stairs.

Saturday started with Breakfast at 8am in the church and a Bible reading started
at 10:30 to 12:45. (The longest one I've been at!) . We did all of Mark Ch.1,
with Lawrence leading it.
Then we had lunch and ministry with 3 brethren taking it. Timothy Sloan, myself
and Lawrence in that order. After supper the Lutsk people went home and our group
stayed in Lviv for the Morning meeting at Flo's. Dan stayed with our group at the
church, Howard and I at Flo's.
When Dan was ready to leave the church, their service had begun and someone had
blocked the van in. At first they didn't want to disturb the service to find out
whose car it was. (They say there are 400 who attend here). Any way someone
eventually let them out in time for meeting.
We had a full meeting with about 22 breaking bread and about 9 looking on.
After lunch we managed to pack everyone, uncomfortably, into our van and got home
in good time for our meeting at 4:30.
Altogether a busy but very profitable weekend and now one week left for me and
two and a half for Howard. Dan is staying on till after Christmas, at least.

Sorry for the Epistle but no time to write while away.

Dan, Howard and Malcolm

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #5

Report #5 For Sunday Oct.23 to Wednesday 26th

We were up in good time to head for Lviv for the morning meetings and got away with 6 others in the van. The weather was dry and the views of the trees in the fall are spectacular. The rolling countryside is very beautiful in Ukraine, if only the roads were as beautiful!

There were a nice number to Break Bread and Edmund gave ministry afterwards. I told you a week ago about a young man who Volodia and I spoke to after meeting. The good news is that he got saved last Thursday and seems very happy and satisfied.

After a good lunch we headed back to Ivano with Howard on board. We were in good time for meeting when Both Howard and I spoke. Dan said he needs a rest now that we are here. There were a good number out and we were encouraged.

On Monday we had to make an early start to get to Verhovina on the Romanian border. It is an almost 3 hour trip through the mountains. Thankfully the road is quite good, mainly because it is the main road to the ski area. Verhovina is the other side of the mountains in the valley. The main reason for going was to look into a project we would like to accomplish for the 200 plus students, by putting in some washrooms.
We met with Oxana the Director and discussed what had been done so far with the washrooms. We found out that the first quote was by a contractor to build an addition to the school and install the washrooms. Now things had changed, as they found two store rooms that can be converted to washrooms without the expense of building.
We looked at and measured the rooms and will now seek out our own contractor to give us a price for the new arrangement.
We were very weary when we arrived home from the 3 hour trip there and 3 hours back.

Tuesday was mainly a day of shopping for medications, sorting out other stuff, preparing for the conference in Lviv on the week-end.
We had the meeting at 5pm with a good crowd of about 22 or so. We had several of our people come in early to fit shoes from a box that Flo gave us. They seemed very happy.

Wednesday, today we spent visiting 3 families in town as school is out all this week in this area and so there is no point visiting schools. We visited one family who are very poor but come to our meetings. The grandfather is very deaf due to being bombed in the war and the noise permanently damaging his hearing. They insisted in feeding us, even though we asked them not to bother. We were able to explain the 2-roads chart more clearly to them but they are all a little hard of hearing.

We then visited Oxana, a single woman who is really saved but has to look after her ailing mother and father. We had a good talk and she wants to come to the conference on the week-end.

Then we visited a lady for the first time named Antonina. She started coming to the meetings quite recently. This is her story. Her husband recently took 3 heart attacks and died. They had 2 sons born to them. The one was married and had one little girl. His wife went to Italy to work and then decided to stay and leave him to look after their daughter.
He was then attacked and killed in this city. In the mean time, the mother came back and hired a nanny to look after the girl, who was about 10 then.
Antonina’s other younger son tried to get the girl back while she was here in Ivano but was arrested and charged with something and is now in jail and has been for 2 years. They think the police were paid off to lay false charges by the mother.
The girl has now vanished and is thought to be in Italy.
How much can some people bear. We had a wonderful opportunity to present the love of God to her and she seemed most receptive. Please pray for her conversion.

All for now.
Please pray for us and the upcoming conference on Friday evening and Saturday.

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #4

Report #4 Friday Oct 20 to Oct 22.

The day was wet and miserable all day and quite cool. We had a number of things to do and the first was to track down a missing weigh bill from MEEST. There was no real need for it but we just wanted to make sure we had paperwork. We went to the MEEST office, just around the corner and after about 20 minutes were told that the bills were at the garage. A man was in the office and offered to guide us to the garage. I couldn’t believe it! It must have been 5 miles away. All that way to pick up one piece of paper.

We then went to get some things from Walmart, (not spelt the same in Ukrainian). Dan was in an isle when a bag in a ladies cart jumped and scared the life out of him. It was a live fish, they sell them out of the tank. Anyway, she spoke beautiful English and is an English teacher. She invited us to please come to her school and speak to the children. We will certainly look forward to that.

We had to work on the invitations for the children’s meeting we are going to have in the school gym.
I made two different sized posters, one large in colour and one small in black. Dan then went out in the rain and stapled signs to the apartment doors in the vicinity of the school.

Saturday came dry but cloudy and so we headed off to get some sports equipment for the gym. It is an amazing sports store with just about anything a person would want in that line.
We got to school just before 2pm and were let into the gym. After about 15 minutes the first boy came and then 2 more. Dan played some games and as no more were coming we had a little Bible lesson and they went home with invitations to bring others in two weeks, as we will be in Lviv next week for Conference.
We had two invitations to visit people who come to meeting. Michaelo is an old man that came out to meeting regularly but then had to have eye surgery. He then started to have serious vertigo and could not walk on his own. His wife and son come out to all the meetings. They need winter boots badly and we will try to get her some on Tuesday.
We then went to Maria’s, just one of the several Maria’s we have contacted. She is a baptized believer who just lost her husband who had been sick for years. She lives in one room with her son. She has to share the cooking area and wash rooms, but can she ever prepare a meal fit for a king. We were very over full when we headed home to get ready for Sunday.
All for now.
God bless and please keep praying.
Malcolm and Dan.

Report from Louis Smith

UKRAINE REPORT FALL 2011
Louis Smith
On September 16 a flight was taken to Lviv Ukraine. The plane was met by
Flo Kancer, Heather Anderson, Gill Plourde and Rusland Teman. On
September 18 the assembly In Lviv met for the Breaking of Bread and
afterward Edmond Johnson gave ministry. On Monday a visit was made to
Roman's family with a food package. His wife left him to raise five nice
children.
We bought school supplies for the Samber Youth Prison where we had a
meeting with about 60 young men. Gill and Louis spoke and afterwards a
teacher gave approval to what we had said. The son of Mycilo, a young boy
was hit by a bus. We visited the father at the hospital and helped with
medical expenses. This boy has since recovered. At the Wednesday assembly
prayer and ministry meeting Louis gave ministry and gospel.
On Thursday five people made a trip to Ivano-Frankvisk for the meeting
there. Gill and Louis spoke to about 20 people. Sevetlana is our
interpreter. Afterward we spoke to Jana's daughter Roxana about baptism
as she wants to be baptized. We visited Oleg who has an electrical
business in the market. His son was getting married the next week end, so
Oleg was busy until that was over.
The gear shift lever did not work so Vadym took the car for repair. On
Saturday we had a children's meeting in the park for about 20 children.
On September 25 we had a meeting in the apartment that we rent for
meetings and where we live. Dan Perez and Louis spoke. Dan has been there
for 3 months and plans to be here for at least another 4 months. We
visited Yaraslav's neighbor who was pressing grapes to make wine. We also
visited Lesa who lives in a tiny apartment with her husband and small son
who is not well. .
We got the car on Tuesday. We took Vadym's mother to the hospital as she
is diabetic. School supplies were purchased and taken to the orphan
halfway house. We had a meeting with the children and staff. It is a
place where children are kept until they go back to their parents, to
adoption or to a permanent orphan home. There was a meeting on Tuesday at
6;00.
Fourteen boxes of clothing came from Cedar Falls, Iowa and they were
checked and stored for distribution. On Thursday there was a meeting and
afterwards we went to Orisas' for a dinner of rabbit. Friday we were to
go to Peters village for a meeting and to distribute clothing but the car
would only go in 3rd and 4th gear so we had to cancel. On Saturday we had
the children's meeting in the park and in the evening we were invited to
Maria's for a very nice dinner. She and her son live in a small room and
have to share cooking and bathroom with other apartments. Her husband had
recently passed away.
On Sunday October 2 we could not go to Lviv for the Breaking of Break as
the car was not working. We had a meeting at 4:30. There were 22
attending with interest. The great doctrines of Romans were being taken
up. On Monday we had the car repaired so the gear shift would work. Cards
with John 3:16, the address and times of the meetings were ordered from
the printer. We were invited to Yaraslav's for a very nice supper. On
Tuesday we visited Oleg in the market. Both are coming to the meetings.
There was a meeting in the evening. After the meeting we visited Mycilo
who has an eye problem and other difficulties.

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #3

Report#3 For Tuesday 18^th to Thursday 20^th.
The weather is definitely fall like, with frost on the cars in the morning but warm as the days go on.
There is a type of tree that seemed to shed all its leaves in one night of the first frost. Piles of them on the van and cars; never seen anything like it.
Tuesday we didn’t have our interpreter until meeting at 5pm, so we did a lot of little things during the day. First we had to do something about the van not going into two gears without a struggle. We went to a Mercedes repair depot and the boss and mechanic tried it out and it worked fine for them. (so what is new?) We took it back from them and found that the “serious problem” was the leather boot around the stick shift was being pinched when we changed gears. Took it off and Bingo! No more problems. A very cheap fix!
I had to change money 7.50R to the Canadian Dollar, 8R to the US.  We really need a copier and scanner so shopped around for a good model and a good price. Best price at the shop where we get our computers serviced or whatever.
The traffic was terrible, so it takes a long time to get through the city to do anything. By the time we had shopped it was time to head home and get ready for the meeting at 5pm.
We had a good number out again. It is amazing how these people will keep coming out when many have quite a long way to come, either walking or on a bus.
We had good talks after meeting, Dan to Luba, who had a number of interesting questions that he was able to help her with. She is a lovely sister with multiple problems, like epilepsy, which she controls and a son with autism or something similar, yet she has a permanent smile.
I had a talk with Oleg and convinced him to be responsible to receive the boxes that arrive. He is a good brother and can be trusted. Pray that he will want to be in fellowship with the Christians in Lviv one day, with his wife. They both were in fellowship in Solidarity before leaving.

Wednesday was a most profitable day as we visited two homes for men in Sniatin. We had visited before but this time I really wanted to speak to the staff. Both administrators were more than willing to have me do that and I spoke to about 15-20 at the first home and about 30 at the second. It is such a privilege to speak to so many unsaved men and women and to see their interest and how willing they are to get a New Testament and John 3:16.
The financial situation gets worse for the running of these institutions. There is money for salaries (if you can call them “salaries”) heat and light and nothing to feed or clothe the men. They must either produce their own food or beg for help.
We ate at Taco Bell for supper. My first experience there and a very good taco wrap. The only problem is that half the restaurant is for smoking. However we survived with only minor lung damage.

Thursday was to be a most memorable day in two ways. First we went to visit a school Director where Dan wants to rent or have Children’s meetings. We met the man and was delighted with our reception. He is willing to let us have the gym for one and a half hours each Saturday for free. Also we will be welcome to speak to the kids in the school. PTL.
We then left for an orphanage in a town we had never been to before named Pereginske. The GPS did an admirable job of finding, without a doubt, the worst road we had ever been on. For about 20 miles it was either a rock strewn lane or a chopped up black top road. Twice the GPS tried to send us into the bush on a logging road. I took us 2 hours to get to the home and one hour on a good road home that was 14 Kms longer. We now will plot on good roads only and not the shortest route!
We had a lovely reception from the lady Director, who brought lunch and coffee right away and put on a very well done cd of the school while we ate.
Half the children were away on a field trip, which was a disappointment, but I spoke to about a dozen plus staff and had a great time. We gave out children’s bibles and New Testaments to the staff plus John 3:16’s. The road home was wonderful on an excellent highway.
We picked up the new copier and headed home to get ready for meeting. We had a full room again and a good opportunity to preach the word.
Just as the meeting ended 16 boxes arrived from Canada.
We then went to visit Marika and her eldest son who is suffering from a very bad skin condition. He is not saved and doesn’t like to  go out in public but we had a good opportunity to pour in the need for spiritual healing, which is more important than any medical condition.
And so to bed as I finish this at 1:10 am
Good night and please pray for us.
Malcolm and Dan.

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #2

Report #2 From Thursday 12^th to Monday 17^th  October.

Well I thought we had got over my Jetlag rather quickly but found it took longer than I had anticipated. I was not so much tired as not feeling “with it”, so to speak. (And no smart remarks from any of you).
I don’t remember much of the days until Thursday. I know we went to Vileky Lubin and took some shoes and boots as well as to Lopartin, where we fitted 125 children with either shoes or boots.
Flo got some amazing deals on boxes of shoes and boots from Canada.
On Thursday we went somewhere local and then picked Howard Pratt up from the airport. He will be here for about 5 weeks. We had the first Bible Study for the fall, in the evening. The van came up from Ivano and brought Louis Smith up to Lviv, as he was to leave for home on Sunday.
The Bibles reading went well with good participation from most of the brethren.
I had planned to go back that night with Dan, but Edmund constrained us to abide with them as fast fell the eventide. I didn’t need any convincing and so we packed my bags in the van and with the help of a GPS, got hopelessly lost in down town Lviv. We eventually found a spot near to Edmund’s apartment and phoned him to come and rescue the perishing. We had a great lunch and a great night’s sleep. We headed off at 9:30am with the same GPS and couldn’t find our way out of town this time. We passed Edmund’s apartment about 3 times, then he phoned us and asked if we were doing ok. We were out of town by then.

Saturday it poured with rain and sleet and I felt of all men most miserable. Dan was determined to go and see if there were any children at the place he had the meetings. The rain had stopped but no kids except for one who came by just as we were leaving. Dan talked to him and told him to come next Saturday if the weather was better.
We then went for lunch and then came home to prepare for meeting: Dan in ministry in Lviv and me in gospel in Ivano Sunday afternoon.
Sunday morning, sharp at 9am we loaded up with 6 plus ourselves and headed to Lviv for the Remembrance Meeting and Ministry to follow. I was great to see everyone again, that I had not seen on Thursday. 22 people broke bread and 6 looked on. It was very encouraging to see.
That reminds me that we had a tour of the newly acquired meeting room that is well on in the renovation. It will be a real blessing, as Flo’s apartment is now far too small.
The meeting room will need flooring and chairs, plus the fixtures for the bathroom and kitchen. This will be done as the Lord supplies.

Today we went to a town Kosiv to visit a young lady Marianna, who is the daughter of Danna and Ivan, the folks from Chernobil, who is a student at college in Kosov, who was hit by a car while crossing a cross walk. She has a fractured, either hip or pelvis and two breaks on the leg, poor girl. Her mother was with her and is sleeping in a 4^th bed in the room. The driver couldn’t stop on wet pavement but is paying all their expenses.
We then visited a large School/orphanage and had an interview with the Director who had many questions about us and will make enquiries of some of the school etc we have visited. We hope to get back there.
Back home very tired and now getting ready for meeting tomorrow.
Please keep praying for us and some difficulties we have to address.

Malcolm and Dan.

Fall 2011 Visit : Report #1

Report #1 October

I have been in Lviv Ukraine for 2 days so thought I should let you know about the good trip I had here and God’s goodness to me all the way.

I left Winnipeg at 8;55am on Sunday and made good time to Chicago. I was surprised to find out that I could take 2- 50lb bags for free, booked right through to Lviv.
We boarded our United 777 in good time but then found there was a problem with 4 toilets not working. Well after over an hour, they were fixed, having to get a part from another plane. I was booked to go from Frankfurt to Munich but would now miss the connection. Just before we left, a lady came on board and called my name. She had a new booking with Austrian Airlines into Vienna and then on to Lviv. We were then off on the 7 and a half hour trip to Frankfurt.
Everything went very well except I could not get a message to Flo in Lviv to say why I would not be on the plane she was expecting. I could not do it until I was in the Lviv airport and borrowed a ladies phone and called her. Ruslan and Flo picked me up within 10 minutes of my arrival. God is so Good.
               Yesterday we visited Lopaten, an orphanage of 125 children from 6-18 years old. We took enough shoes and boots to fit them all with what was needed. Flo had got most of these for $3.00 per pair. I then spoke to all the children and staff, they were very attentive and how wonderful to hear the whole crowd recite John 3:16 together.
               Today we visited a sister in the hospital who was very unwell and is worrying about her mentally challenged son at home alone. Her name is Lydia. I had met her in her village years ago but she remembered me, I could not remember her though. She had run out of medications and needed at least another 5 day of meds. She gave us the list and we went to the pharmacy in the hospital. The total came to 1332 Rhyvny or $175 Cdn. She would never be able to have bought these meds and we suppose she would just be turned out of the hospital and told to go home. A terrible situation to be sure.
               We shopped for some needed items and then came home to get ready for meeting tonight.
               Thank you for praying for my safe trip, I had great peace about it. Just a little stress about my credit card not working the phone at the airport to phone Flo, but it all worked out.

All for now.
Malcolm