2012 Report from Eric #2

May   31

          Up early man who makes arrangements to prison called we will get to visit two prisons.  We must be at his office at 9am.  He took us to the man’s prison first; it has 1000 prisoners in it.  The prison is in Kolomia over an hour away.   Took full Bible to man there who asked the last time Dan was there.  We also had another full Bible as another was asking for one and he came and asked again, great to see that for sure.  We spoke to 96 men with some at the back door listening. .Had nice time there, it is quite a complex run down Russian place.   Most prisoners in Canada would die the first week if in a Ukraine prison.  We gave them tracts and text.  Then came back into town and went to the office here and then went to womens prison another hour over rough roads again.   It makes the day long and tiring  for sure.   My wife packed lunch … boiled eggs , bread cut up apples , oranges  and juice and a few sweets.  We ate along the way.  We spoke to 86 ladies and three workers there.  The ladies truly listened very well.  Heidi spoke for few minutes and it touched all the ladies.  Some truly rough ladies there. Some for murder of their husbands one lady said it was a fight and either I was to be killed or him and I made sure it was him.  We also took as wheelchair, crutches and clothing to that prison. Man oh man what a place to be.  Came back to the city and had meeting.    We had 19 out in the mid week which is good as summer is here and many away to gardens.
        
   June 1  …
            Our time is slipping quickly by.    Up early, devotions and breakfast and ready to go to Lviv.   Luba and daughter and  daughter's friend went with us.  Her name is Tanya and has come to every meeting and is very interested.  This will be a holiday for them and a great treat.  Also like for the girls to see the baptism and be with the Christians there.   We picked up soap,  and cleaning things for toilets for an old people’s home along the way.  The home had 22 people in a village 30 min. off the main highway.   Very sad sight for sure but amazingly, someone had helped put new windows and doors in the place. A little warmer for winter.  Spoke to 11 of them and 3 workers…others were in bed and couldn’t come. I went to one lady and explained the truth of John 3:16. They could use wheelchairs there as well  and some walkers.  You should see some walkers they used there. Got to Lviv and took things out we brought ,a bed to sleep on and food and few things for weekend.  Went to Edmond and Agnes for supper.They are the couple from Ireland who has now been in Lviv for two years.   Where are our Canadian couples who will give themselves to such a work? Go YE into all the world and preach the Gospel. WHO WILL GO?    We then went to meeting ..   Bible Reading on  John 8 : 12- 30 went well.   Then back to Flo’s apartment for the night.

 June 2
  Up early as the Baptism is at 10  am.  Little read with the girls and Prayer. Breakfast is dry cereal. Luba said girls don’t get this at home a treat for them. Then to the Baptist church in town for the Baptism .  It is nice they will allow us to use the place for the Baptism.  Some extra came and this was nice.  Then we came back to the little hall for dinner and time of fellowship.  It went well I thought.  Then we went to the center and gave out the special tract for the Soccer games.   Many people has already come into the city they expect 2 million to come.  Four  games here in Lviv next week.  Had nice time for sure. There were 13 of us.  I gave out everything in my case that had a text on it, even some English magnets.  Then we went to MacDonald's and had some Burgers. I went to look for the others and while gone Margie and Heidi met a young man and his wife who are Christians.  I gave him a magnet with my name on it 5 minutes before that.   They saw Margie and came to them and said are you Christians as you look like it? Had nice time with them.  Heidi came and found me and brought me back to them.  They come from the city which had the explosions in it that was on news before we came to Ukraine.   He had many questions on can one  be sure you are saved and can you lose it.  He almost cried when I show it to him he could not,from the Bible.  He said God sent you to us.  They now study in POLAND.  They know 4 different languages. He wants to keep in touch by e-mail.  Amazing how God leads.  Went back to Apartment very tired but happy that God made himself known along the way.  

   June 3
       Rested some but up for devotions with all and breakfast and ready for meeting.  Got pampers and boys pants and few other things we needed from Flo while up here. Went to worship meeting and some away sick.  Volodia’s mom out the first time for some weeks. This was great to see.  Howard stayed with them as not enough room at Flo’s apartment for everyone. Meeting went well Howard and I spoke. 
Then came back here to Ivano for the meeting here.  I drove and this makes things little heavy as the roads are very poor and  drivers are not careful.  God is able and more than able.  The crowd was as in mid week as holiday on Monday and some away.  It went well and now we are relaxing after  6 rough days .Thanks for praying even though you hadn’t heard from us.   The true value of prayer wild only be known and seen when we reach the Bema.    Thanks so much in Lord’s name
                          Eric and Margie Heidi and Howard

2012 report from Eric

June 3
               Busy very busy …. The other days we just thought we were busy ….
Morning rise with breakfast and devotions … we were in Lviv all weekend since Friday .
Morning worship was great, Howard and I spoke at the end.  May God help Edmond to guide the sheep here. Still some missing but summer is very busy for all. 
We came back to Ivano and nice number out again.  The crowd was smaller than last Sundays as it is an holiday Monday and some away to home villages. Everyone tired from weekend travel.

June 4
 Monday holiday, not much traffic in town.  We went and made a payment to give back water and lights to poor family. The two children needed payment made so they can pass in school, It’s sad but bribes are everywhere in this country. The girl is a good artist but poor and may not get very far. 
Then went to Michael and family and gave medicine and help to get glasses …they never miss meeting he has been coming even thought not well; heart trouble and sugar. Nice to see him. We went over the Two Roads Chart with them him and son may be saved she didn’t say to much.  Then went to a neighbour here, Russian and gave him Bible, he asked and yet said he doesn’t believe in God .  God knows but he was happy we came and gave us honey. Leanna and Daughter came for supper had nice visit with them,  she had many questions.
Then we got bags ready for Hospital tomorrow to give to mothers; we have 15. These are the bags the Ladies from Welland Ontario got ready and gave me.

 June 5
 For sure, God gives rest for tired minds and bodies and then energy to go and do the days visits.   Went to hospital and made 15 visits to new mothers.  Some were Christians, amazing as God leads; some very very poor.  We met the  head Doctor first and gave him some more sheets ..the need is so great. Then went to Ivan and Dana and finished the needed payments there and went over some more Bible truth. She is saved for sure but not sure about him andsons.
    Vadym’s wife child and father in Law Aundri were out. We would like see him saved, he was troubled last year.   22 people out and a great rain I thought no one would come, they must have an interest surely. 
We need a good leader here to help them yearly.   A GOOD EXERCISE FOR SOME YOUNG COUPLE ….WHO WILL GO?   One wonders when the day over what is in it for the Lord.

June 6
  Early rise and away to the mountains to be away all night.  This is to the school where we did washrooms last year.  Now we will deliver a gift from Canada for the Gymnasium.  They will close school if it is not up to standard.   We found out why no money is given to the school by the government. It is a nice piece of land and the Government men want to build on it. They don’t care what will happen to the children.
Had nice visit with the Head lady of the school. She took us to her home for supper. We left clothing and school things with her in the evening.  She took us to a man who sings and teaches local singing a nice visit for sure. He had a collection of harps, fiddles and many other things.   We stayed in a log cabin resort.  I t was a nice place.  Many government people have resorts in the mountain area.
This was a long drive and the roads were very bad from rain.  The country was hit by wind and rain and damage everywhere.

June 7
  We had our devotions and breakfast outdoors.  Amazing for sure .   Gave her the money for the project; teachers  will do most of the work.   The money will be for material. We went to the street while waiting to meet with her and gave out New Testaments, tracts, and texts and other material.  This is where I’m the happiest for sure.
We were praying for an opening in the town it has 7000 people.  A lady came and we are invited to meet with a Baptist man. He showed us the building they meet in in  town.   He then took us out of the town to another building another group meets in and also a summer camp area.  The Germans have helped them much and also with a Van. He gave us tea and fresh strawberries.   He was very friendly and very humble. He has been in the mountains 15 years and has seen 4 little groups come together and another one in the making.  They are independent  Baptists and are clear on much truth.  We asked if any need and he said 100 full Bibles would be the greatest need so we will get those in Lviv on the weekend.  He was to Manitoba for visit and went to some Baptist there and went out only once but said he would not go back.   We may be able to help more then we think so will pray much about this.  The assembly in Lusk started from a Baptist group there.
Went to the ski resort nearby, before coming back to Ivano.  Tired very tired   but happy in spirit as God guides to help others.   OTHERS LORD LET THIS OUR MOTTO BE OTHERS …..

June 8
                 Days left are short in Ukraine, home on the 16^th.
Went to pick up more medicine for the folks that are coming to meeting.  Also went and got boots for Luba’s mother in law and went with Luba to village to deliver them.  We wanted to explain little more of the Gospel to this lady.  We did just that and met her daughter from the village.   Came back to Ivano and went and paid 3 month’s rent on the apartment.  We rent it from a Lawyer lady and again she asked about if we want to buy.  It would be nice to be able to do this. But we need a place to display clothing where anyone could comes in and get clothing free, like a open front door with a place to talk to those who came and give literature too.
  God is able to move hearts to the need.

 June 9
     Breakfast and devotions.   My body is slowing down … the trip is winding down and the mind gets tired of different sounds and need are so heavy it touches the compassion part of the heart and with such a great demand.  No plans for the day but as it started it got filled.   Danna called a German lady and took us to an orphanage of 26 children 50 km out of town.  Had nice time there took two boxes of clothing and went picked up some more at a used clothing place but not like what we have come in the boxes.  We are running out here and was expecting boxes from Newfoundland but doesn’t look like it will come before we go.   Spoke to the children and workers and gave them oranges, candy, text, tracts and some games we bought.  Came back into town and went to take Heidi to Jewish mass grave of 12000 Jews.  Svetlana is Jewish and she said it’s not good  place to be. She was there  when she was 15 years old and not since. 
Then went to Danna’s mom’s friend, a lady who was a doctor and her husband was a very famous artist.   What a home and what history.   We went into a room where they had famous people’s faces drawn on the wall, many were in the room and all had their face drawn on the wood there.  Much much more but can’t say more by e mail. 
Went to supper and now home to rest …for tomorrow will be the drive to Lviv over 2 hours there and back…. But nice to break bread every  Lord’s day when here. It would be great to see an assembly here in Ivano…GOD  CAN DO IT AND MAY WE WILL SEE IT SOME DAY.     But, unless God build the house ……. 
Ivano has history of God’s earthly people may there also be history of his Heavenly Children.
                 
Eric Margie Howard Heidi

Ukraine Update

An up to date report on the work and workers in Western Ukraine at this time. May 27^th 2012.

Thankfully the work goes on with a number of brethren in both Lviv and Ivano Frankivsk.
However Flo Kancir is not there at present, having had to return home suddenly because of sickness.
She had surgery on the 24th to remove a cancerous growth from a major organ, but has come through and is now recovering at home. Please pray for a complete recovery in the will of the Lord.

Edmund and Agnes Johnson are back in Lviv and no doubt starting to plan for the second Conference to be held in early Fall.

Eric Fowler and Howard Pratt are in their third week of six, in Ivano Frankivsk. They have a young brother Volodia, from Lviv as their very efficient interpreter and van driver. He will have to leave them on June the first as he has been hired to drive officials attending the World Soccer matches to be played in Lviv. He feels very privileged to get this job out of hundreds of applicants.

They have been visiting schools and villages as well as having the 2 weekly meetings in the apartment.
When I was there in April, Dan Perez and I had started Bible studies with some invited people, who we felt would appreciate this different format of meeting. One of the men who had come was one of the officials from the Department of Prisons, Igor and had shown good interest. The Brethren had not got around to having the meetings and so Igor phoned and asked when they were starting, as he had some friends who wanted to come. We have not heard the result of the meeting held last night but trust it was profitable.

Please pray for Dan and his desire to return to Ukraine. He has had some problems with a one year visa he was rightly issued in Chicago, but was not recognized when he left the Ukraine. The official said he had overstayed his 90 day limit. Anyway, please pray that this will not hinder him from returning in June if possible. Dan had not done anything wrong but they had stopped issuing visas while he was over there but he could use his for the allotted time. A lack of communication with the Customs officers!!

One last note for those who have shown interest in the school in Verhovina with up to 450 children, where we built the washrooms. I had mentioned in one or more of my postings that the authorities were going to close off the gymnasium in the school, if the director didn’t get a separate system to heat the gym. I asked her to get a price to install an electric boiler and repair any burst pipes or radiators and she got a quote of $5,000.00US which sounds quite reasonable as they have to install a new electricity cable and switches as well. The government offers no funding but sets a date of September to have it done.
We have not replied yet but the brethren are going to visit the school and ask to get a copy of the estimate etc. We will see what God has in mind as to our meeting the cost.

The brethren are waiting for their permission to go to the prisons. The man who signs the papers went on holiday. Pray that he is back before they leave for home.

Thank you for praying, the fields are still white to harvest, but where are the reapers?

Yours in Christ.

Malcolm Report #12

Final Report 12.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday April 23rd, 24^th, 25th 20012

Well I start my last part- week before going home on Thursday.

We have a visit to a school that I had not been to before, but Dan had. We missed our turn to the village and arrive half an hour late. This doesn’t seem to worry people here in Ukraine. After a little visit with the two assistant directors, a man and lady, we spoke to about thirty 10 to 12 year olds, who gave good attention. We gave out candies and balloons as they had n/t’s from a previous visit. We then spoke to and older class of teen- agers who gave good attention except for 3 boys who got the giggles over something, but  managed to cool them down!!

We got back in good time and picked up Lubchek, a brother from Lviv, form the bus station who wanted to spend a few day with us in Ivano.

Tuesday.

Dan had dentist’s appointment at 9am so I stayed and ironed my shirts, where’s my wife? I cleaned up the apartment ready for the meeting tonight.

Dan came home and we took the van to get a new security alarm put on. It was to take 3 hours so we left the van and walked up town. Can you imagine a state of the art security alarm, installed for $131? They also fixed two door locks.

I needed to get money exchanged and we must have gone to 4 or 5 banks before I could get anyone to exchange the new plastic $100 Canadian bill. They said their banks were not set up to accept them yet??? By the time we had walked the town, I was worn out, (Dan can walk all day) but we met a young man who dan is hoping will interpret later on. We sat in the sun in the centre of town and had a great talk as he works for the city tourism people and gave us a good history of Ivano Frankivsk.

We got the van back and headed home for the meeting at 6pm. About 20 came out for a ‘goodbye to Malcolm” party after the meeting. They can really make you feel bad for leaving.

Wednesday

I got my things ready to leave in the afternoon and then we went to buy a blood sugar machine for a lady with diabetes who comes to the meeting. We then delivered it to her, she was very grateful for it as she has a bad case of diabetes.

After lunch we headed for Lviv as I wanted to buy some things from the Vernasaj? Bazaar.

We arrived in the middle of a violent thunder storm that went on for much of the day. People were soaked to the skin as it had been nice and sunny until the rain hit. I managed to get what I needed as we dodged under the plastic awnings, loaded with water.

We went to the prayer meeting at 7pm but several of the people are away because of sickness.

I was then deposited at Flo’s “empty” apartment to sleep and get my flight home on Thursday afternoon. Thank you for praying for us. I trust God has been able to use us to His glory. We trust that eternity will reveal it.

Please continue to pray for Dan who goes home on May 8^th and for Eric Fowler and Howard Pratt who arrive on May the 9^th.

You’re Brother in Christ.

Malcolm Report #11

Report #11 Saturday and Sunday April 21^st and 22^nd.

Saturday was a shopping day for[i] several things we needed. We visited with Oleg in the market and came back and worked on the van. The rear wiper motor was replaced some time ago but has never worked. I got into it but need a tester so could not finish the job we visited a very nice shop that installs vehicle alarms and are going to install a new alarm in the van on Monday. On the way home we were pulled over by the police, right in town. My first time, I might say. We didn’t know what we had done. He took us over to his car and showed us a card with the traffic signs and circled a “do not enter” sign. We indicated that we never saw one, as all the traffic was coming the same way. He then showed us a “busses only” sign. We showed our ignorance and repentance and he let us go. PTL

We had our meeting to practice some new hymns and about a dozen people came out and seemed to enjoy the time. We then got ready to go us to Lviv as we are staying up there tonight and heading to Lutsk on Sunday.

Sunday

On last Friday, Timothy Sloan called me from Lutsk to tell me that this Sunday was the 10^th Anniversary of the starting of the assembly in Lutsk and they would really like us to come down, especially as I was at their first Breaking of Bread meeting, and would I be prepared to speak. We thought it over and decided we would close our meeting on Sunday and go up to Lutsk for the day. We contacted Lviv assembly and they were going to Lutsk too. So we took both vehicles for the 2 hour trip to Lutsk.

The meetings were held in the almost finished main auditorium, just waiting for the carpet to be installed. A good company was present, both of those in fellowship and many visitors. After the Breaking of Bread Sergey, who was the first man to come out of his church to see an assembly formed, spoke of the starting of the assembly and then I spoke on the importance of keeping the First Love alive in the assembly, using the record of the Ephesian  church.

A fantastic lunch was provided and then Thomas Sloan Timothy’s eldest son, spoke to the large crowd of children. We then saw a power point of the history of the assembly and then a snack and away home to Ivano via Lviv; approximately 270km one way over not too bad roads.

So ended a memorable day.

Malcolm and Dan.

Malcolm Report #10

Report #10 Thursday April 18^th and 19^th

We got ready to head into the little town of Staryi Lysets to speak to the school of 400 children. We were met by Helena, the Christian Ethics teacher and led to the auditorium. There is such a difference in most of these smaller country schools. Things are often cleaner and curtains on the windows. The auditorium has a lovely backdrop on the stage and nice curtains. The children were wildly excited to see us again and soon filled the seats. Some staff sat in too.

I spoke on the Bible being a lamp and a light, using my flashlight with two lenses, one that will point down to my path and the other that points forward to the future. They listened without a sound, what a delight.

We had asked the administrator if there was any specific need we might be able to help with. He said that they had no means of showing videos to the children. They have access to many instructional videos but no projector. We were able to get them a projector, a Samsung DVD player and a 7ft screen for $500. Without a doubt, a good deal. Volodia donated videos of Fireproof, Facing the Giants, Flywheel and Courageous, all with Russian voices dubbed in. None of the Christian films seem to be done in Ukrainian. The teacher said that would not be a problem, they all understand Russian. They started watching one of them while we were there.

We were then taken to a staff room for a cold lunch and ate and talked to Helena and two ladies who do social work with each child. We must have talked about a variety of things for over an hour, including the need for biblical principals being taught in school.

The administrator came in just as we were leaving and wanted a picture of us all to print in an article in the school paper they print; he was very appreciative and supportive of our visit.

We came home and had our “by invitation only” meeting at 7pm. Only one man came but it was a man we wanted to talk to. His name is Igor, the man who went with us to the prisons. I went through each of the books of the Bible and how they all link together to present Christ as the Saviour. He said it was very interesting and new to him. We trust he will come back and get saved one day.

Friday 19^th

Today we are going to Petriliv to the school to speak to the children and present them with a projector too. The administrator told us they would have no multimedia equipment at all if it wasn’t for what the Christians had donated. We also gave them 4 videos.  The children put on a programme of song and verse, mainly patriotic but excellent singing and memory recitations. I then gave a challenge to the young people to live for a better Ukraine by being shining lights in a dark world. I used Matthew 5: 13-16.

We headed home with 7 extra in the van. These were teachers who lived in the direction we were going. Some lived 40 minutes away and travelled by bus every day. They appreciated not waiting for a bus.

We met a couple Dan has been trying to get out to meeting and took them for supper. A delightful couple, Igor and a new name we can’t remember. She is pregnant with their first and was a flight attendant before she got pregnant. She speaks good English and is a delight to talk to. They are going to try and get out to meeting on Sunday.

Volodia went home on the bus tonight and will be in Lviv for the weekend.

God bless you all and please pray our last 4 days will be a blessing.

I would like to say that Dan is the one who says I should speak at these places, as he has had to speak so much when no one else was here and he enjoys the break.

Malcolm and Dan.

Malcolm Report #9

Report #9  April 17^th and 18^th.

Well it’s still raining here. They have got much of their garden in but won’t be on the land for a while with the steady rain we have been getting.

We were not planning to leave town today but rather visit some people in town who have been coming to meeting. The first was a lady named Anna. She is a very quiet but comes to all the meetings and came to Lviv Assembly on Sunday for the first time. She lives alone in one room. Her family of 1 unmarried son and a married daughter live in other cities and never come to see her. Her son has not seen her for 14 years. She cried a little but seems to hold it in after having a very difficult life with an alcoholic husband who left her when the children were babies or at least very young. She gave us coffee and we prayed with her before we left.

We then went to another lady Maria who always wants a visit but cannot get out as she is crippled and has serious diabetes. When we got there we were met by a young man who was either drunk or mentally unstable. We sent Svetlana to see what was going on and she found her very unwell but still wanting us to eat a meal she had prepared. With much persuasion, we convinced her we would come back another day. She went into hospital that night and then phoned from the hospital and booked us from hospital for a visit on Saturday. She is a very nice lady and would claim to be saved, we trust so.

We had a good meeting; with a good number out. After meeting we were invited to another Maria for supper. She lost her husband a year ago and lives also in one room with her son. She has been reading some Pentecostal book and has many questions about demon possession and if a person can get rid of a demon by themselves. We feel so angry at the wrong teaching being spread to simple Christians.

We headed home and had a good night’s sleep, even with the rain still hitting the roof of our porch.

Keep praying.

Wednesday.

We headed out for the long trip to Vicovena, the school on the Romanian border that we put new washrooms into. Although it rained and drizzled all the way, with a little fog as we went over the top of the mountains, the 2 hour trip went well. We knew that the children would not be in school as they were all home after an outbreak of Chicken Pox. But we met with Oxana the director and had a “tour” of the washrooms. The men surely did a wonderful job of them. There is only one problem. The town left it so long to join up the sewer pipe that the ground froze and it isn’t hooked up to the main sewer yet. They said it will be done soon! We had hoped to speak to the staff, but some education department people were interviewing each teacher and they would not allow them to meet in a group???

So we went to look at their latest bureaucratic demands that had to do with the schools “sports-hall” as the call their gym. It is heated by fairly modern radiators from a distant wood fired power house. However, there is never enough heat left in the system to heat the whole school and the gym. The bureaucrats now say, and we saw the letter, that if she doesn’t have an electric boiler installed as a separate unit for the gym, by September, they will close off the gym and there will be no more PE for the kids all winter. The letter finished by saying that Oxana would be responsible to find the money to make the renovations. No help from the government AT ALL.

I asked her to get the total cost of doing the job and send me the estimate and we will see what God will do. Remember this school has 450 children in school and approximately 250 live there from Monday to Friday and some stay all the time as they live too far away to go home every week-end. This school is wide open to the Gospel and we have been invited to come and stay for a week and have meetings. We have not been able to do anything about this yet.

Please pray for this project and the open invitation to go to this town that has no evangelical presence, according to Oxana.

Malcolm & Dan

 

Malcolm Report #8

Report #8.  Sunday April 15^th and 16^th.

We were wondering how many would be to the meeting in Lviv, as this is Easter Sunday and the traditions of this time of the year draw so many people to their villages to be with their families. Even the Christians in Assembly fellowship find it very hard to miss these family gatherings.

Four of us went up to Lviv and were happy to see that most of the people were at meeting and we had a nice time together.  As we travelled there, we were amazed to see the hundreds of people standing out in the rain in each village, with their wicker baskets of food, covered with a cloth, waiting for the priest to bless the food in the hope of a good summer harvest. We found out that some of the people go to the church at 11pm on Saturday night and stay until 7am, singing and praying. Then the others come starting at 6am and stand outside; some as long as 3 hours.

Well we got back in time for our 3:30 meeting and were happy to see a good crowd come. After meeting, we went to Oleg and Olia’s for a good Pasca supper. We had good conversations about the spiritual needs of the people here in Ivano.

Home in the pouring rain again for a good night’s sleep.

Monday.

We were invited to spend time with a lady named Helena, who is the Christian Ethics co-ordinator in the school we have been visiting in the village we used to call Luba’s grandmothers village, but now have a name for. It is called Staryj Lysets, pronounced Stary Lissets. No wonder we could never remember it.

We were supposed to meet her at the church, as she would be singing in a very large choir there, and she wanted us to hear them sing. The service started at 9am and was to go on until 12noon. We asked if it was alright if we came to hear the last hour and she said it would be fine. We got there and found it so full, with people standing inside and outside that it was impossible to get inside to see the choir in the balcony. So we stood outside with others and heard the excellent singing over the speakers on the roof of the church. Someone told Helena that there were some strangers outside and she guessed it was us and left a little early to come and meet us. We waited for her mother and children and then drove to her very nice home in the village. Her husband had to work as he works for the electric company. They have one son and two daughters who were all at home. After some conversation we were fed a scrumptious meal, all prepared by their oldest daughter, who loves to cook. Some man will be blessed to have her for a wife! We spent the rest of the time with Helena who is one of the Godliest women I have met over here. She is religious (she has nowhere else to go) but is a true believer in Christ as the only one who could take away her sin. She had her well worn Bible right at the table and reads and prays with the children every morning. It was obvious that God is the centre of her life. As long as she is at the school of 400 students, we will be welcome whenever we go there. We are booked for another visit on Thursday. A truly blessed day. Please pray that she will come out to some of our meetings.

Malcolm and Dan.     

Louis Smith Report

UKRAINE REPORT SPRING 2012
On March 1 Friday, Louis Smith (writer) flew to Lviv, Ukraine and was met by
Edmond and Agnes Johnson and Ruslan. The next day we went to the village of
Holviska in the Carpathian Mountains. A short meeting was held outside in the
snow and cold and then clothing was distributed. On Sunday we remembered the Lord
in the Breaking of Bread at the Lviv assembly.
Steven Anderson and Joshua Kenworthy from Arlington, Washington came to help in
the work for two weeks.
Dan Perez came to Lviv and then we went to Ivano-Frankvisk to work together
there. We arrived in time to speak at the afternoon meeting at 3:30. There were
21 out to hear the Word. Meetings are held in the apartment on Sunday, Tuesday
and Thursday. Our interpreter is Sevetlana.
On Monday we met the prison chief to request permission to visit the prisons. At
the Tuesday meeting Steven, Josh and Edmund from Lviv spoke.
Flo Kancer arrived in Ukraine. Visits were made to the sick: Oksana, Antellina
and Natasha. Natasha has MS and is confined to sitting all day but she has a
happy spirit and tells us she is saved. Medicine and supplies were given. Maria
was also visited, she is unable to walk. She asked questions about Mary having
other children. People came to the apartment on Saturday to get clothing. We went
to see Oleg in the Market.
We had conversation and then pizza and then he invited us to his home for desert.
March 8, Sunday: we were invited to speak in the village of Hgruska (means pear)
to speak to a group of about 50 in the village hall which was cold and unheated.
Then we rushed back to the meeting at 3:30. On Monday we went back to Hgruska and
spoke at the school to about 100 children and the teachers. They were given NT‘s,
texts and tracts. We were asked by the mayor to visit a family having problems.
So we then met Yuri and Oksana. Yuri told us how He was saved in prison. He is
having a problem with alcohol.
On Tuesday we went to the village of Sari Lissets where we spoke to about
60 or 70 students and the teachers. We were invited to come back and they invited
Dan to speak at school’s summer camp. Then we had a big dinner at Yaraslav and
Hallia’s home. Tanya who works at the hospital came to the meeting for the first
time. After the meeting we were invited to Maria’s small one room apartment where
she shares the bath and cooking facilities with others. She made us a big dinner.
On Wednesday we went to the meeting in Lviv and saw Steven and Josh before they
left Ukraine. We purchased and picked up NT’s to take to Ivano-Frankvisk.
We had to change a flat tire before going to Dolenna to speak to 3 classes there.
The Christian ethics teacher said the students would like us to come again . They
were given NT‘s, texts and tracts. On Friday we went to a village called Olesha
and spoke to about 50 teens and two teachers. The classes stayed longer so they
could hear more. Some boxes of clothing were given out along with NT‘s, texts and
tracts. Saturday was the day for practicing singing.

March 18 Sunday, a trip was made to the home of Yuri and Oksana where we visited
before. They had a dinner for us. They then came to the meeting with us and after
wards we showed from the Bible that if a person is truly saved they can never be
lost. On Monday we traveled over the Carpathian Mountains to the village of
Verhovina, over 2 ½ hours drive.
Their existing toilets were a terrible situation for the 350 students.
The brethren on a previous trip had arranged to install new ones. They are very
nice but cannot be connected until the next school year due to frozen pipes from
the village. We spoke to about 200 children and the teachers. Boxes of clothing
were left. They have about 250 orphans at the school Ivan was visited in the
hospital. He had many questions. After the meeting we went to Orisa’s home where
she served rabbit and potatoes. On Wednesday we visited an orphanage for mentally
challenged girls. We spoke to them and to the workers. On Thursday Edmund, Agnes
and Rusland came.
Edmund and Rusland spoke at the meeting. Rusland spoke in Ukranian which was good
for the Ukrainian people. There were about 25 at the meeting.
The next day we were invited to have conversation with 4 English students. We
talked to them about general things and also the Bible.
March 25 Sunday, we picked up the couple in Hgrushka and took them to a
restaurant. The wife had never been to a restaurant before. They attended the
meeting. There was a total of 26 at the meeting. On Monday we met Bogdan who
guided us to a Gypsy camp. It is located behind a dump area where they can use
free land. There are 7 to 8 tent type shelters for about 30 people. They are not
liked by most citizens. Most were away but we had a meeting in one of the small
shelters, for an adult and about six young people. We told them about the song
about the Gypsy boy. They were given a NT‘s, texts, clothes and food. Only 2 in
the camp can read.
Tuesday was my last meeting in Ivano-Frankvisk with about 23 attending.
Some gave small gifts and hugs with good byes. On Wednesday after waiting for the
car repair we drove to Lviv.
A week of gospel meetings were being held in Lviv. Ukrainian men were giving
their testimonies. After the testimony I preached the gospel. The other nights
Edmund preached the gospel. On Thursday we went to an orphanage and spoke to
about 50 young children and 10 workers. On Friday I left Edmund and Agnes’s home
where I stayed 2 days and went to the Lviv airport. I arrived home about 24 hours
later on March 31.
Malcolm Stanley arrived on March 31 and he and Dan Perez will continue the work
The four prisons will be visited. Dan has been doing a good work for the Lord.
The interest and prayer of the Christians was and is appreciated.

Malcolm Report #7

Report #7 Friday April 13^th and Saturday 14^th

Friday was Good Friday here but it seems they celebrate Sunday to Tuesday more than today. Everywhere was open but we find that many people are fasting and there was not much activity in the evening with many restaurants closed.

Volodia was planning to go back to Lviv on the bus so we asked him to go with us first to see Natalia, the lady I have visited for the 12 years I have been coming; who has MS and is gradually worsening. She is 39 years old and cannot sit herself up or keep herself up without lots of pillows. She is so sweet, even though she has no feeling in her arms or legs. She calls on the telephone by picking up a pencil in her teeth and dialing, when the phone is near enough. Her mother looks after her at home.

We took Volodia to the bus station and then went to pick up Luba and her daughter and went to get some seed for her grandma in the village. As we pulled out onto the main road, the back door of the van opened and two of our spare wheels which we were taking for storage, rolled out and down the road. I stopped at once and Dan got out and retrieved one from the road and one from the ditch. Fortunately, no cars hit them or Dan!

We then went to the big Walmart store and bought food for the poor people who have been coming to the meetings. We got 13 of each item, mainly staples such as flour, sugar, cooking oil and macaroni; plus tea, rice and mayonnaise. We got big plastic bags and bagged them all in the store.

Rained most of the day and into the night, supposed to be wet for several days.

Saturday April 14^th.

We set out to give out the bags to the families, as we didn’t want to give them out in meeting. We had a terrible job finding some of the apartments; there is very little order in the numbering the apartments.

We then went to see if we could get our headlights checked, as they seem too high on low beam and people are flashing their lights. Nobody knew where we could get them checked though so will have to ask again.

We looked around to find a cafe for supper, but most were closed. We eventually found one we had been to before in a basement. It is a great little restaurant with amazing food. We were two of six people in there so got excellent service. I gave our waitress a “million Dollar tract” and she stood and read the whole thing out loud in English and seemed very interested.

Headed home in the rain and got ready for meeting in Lviv and here on Sunday.

Keep praying, it works!

Malcolm and Dan.

Malcolm Report #6

Report #6

Wednesday April 11^th

We went to the minimum security today. I don’t know what is meant by “minimum” security when you see the walls and high fences, plus all the gates and doors to get into the place. Anyway, there were a good number of men out again and they all listened well. Afterwards some came and talked and one man asked if he could e-mail me, as he speaks English and they have access to the internet, I think, or he was getting out soon and had a computer. One of the things we were asked is whether we could come regularly and have bible studies. We could not give them any assurance of this because of the hassle of getting beaurocratic (can’t find the spelling!) permission to visit in the prisons.  We were then taken for coffee and cookies with the administrator and his staff. They seemed like very nice people and very pleased that we come. We had a group picture taken at the gate.

I wish I could properly show you the condition of the 5k of road to this prison. It is unbelievable!

We got home in time to get ready to go the Lviv for the prayer meeting at 7pm. I had been asked to speak and so we headed out for the 2 hour trip with Volodia getting some driving practice. I’m not sure whether I have told you that he has been picked to be a driver to ferry officials around during the World Soccer Games in May or June. He gets to use a new Kia car or SUV and will be driving mainly referees and others to the games and hotels. He is very excited and one of the reasons he was picked is because of his excellent English.

He drove us to his apartment in Lviv and his mother had a lovely meal of fish, pork potatoes and salad. We went to the meeting and it was good to see the Christians again. We then went back to Volodia’s apartment before going home after dark. Driving is a little hazardous at night so I drove home. I was a long day but also a profitable one, we trust.

Thursday April 12^th

We only had one of the Igor’s today as the other one had a lot of office work to complete. I think they have both enjoyed out time together and we have learned a lot about the prison system in Ukraine.

We were going to our final prison visit at this time and this is the big, 800 men, high security prison. Once we get through the 6 or 7 locked iron gates we walk to the large meeting room. As we walk we see the activity to plant flowers and paint things so that it really begins to look quite nice, once inside. The room was packed with men today, possibly 150 or more. Many had heard us last week and so greeted us with smiles. After speaking, we asked if anyone had any questions, to come and talk when they were dismissed. About 5 or 6 stayed behind to talk. The one man I enjoyed talking to could speak English and is a saved man, a Baptist, and his father is a Baptist Pastor. He told Dan that he was in prison because he sold used cars and didn’t know that some had been stolen. Anyway, he wanted my e-mail address but was most concerned that we come and meet with the bible study they have each week. They need a leader and no one comes to help. We explained the problem but are going to try and make application to the authorities and see what God will do. Dan would be willing to go.

We came home in time to take the van in to get the struts replaced and our summer tires put on. We had to leave it as the said it would take 3 hours. We flagged a taxi and headed home to clean up ready for our first meeting with invited guests, at 7 pm. We gave the apartment the best cleaning it has had since we rented it, I think. I washed the windows inside and out, Volodia washed and sorted out the kitchen and bathroom and Dan vacuumed and took a carpet outside to beat it. Busy little beavers!

The garage phoned to say they were waiting to get the van on the wheel alignment rack but they were having a problem with another vehicle on there, they may be a little late!! Volodia and I headed over to the garage at 6pm but the technician was only just starting the wheel alignment. He did a fantastic job with state of the art equipment but we didn’t get out until 7pm. We then had to pick up a man from his work and got home at 7:30pm, half an hour late. Thankfully Dan was there and was entertaining the other 3 men who had come. No one seemed to be worried about us being late; they are used to things in Ukraine running late.

We had a good meeting, getting to know these men, who we want to encourage to meet with us, study the bible and eventually see them saved. One of the men who attended is saved and baptized.

Although some who were invited did not come, we were encouraged by those who did.

Another full and good day.

Malcolm Dan & Volodia

Malcolm Report #5

PRAYER REQUEST for Flo Kancir. Flo has been a faithful worker in the Ukraine and is not at all well, please remember her in your prayers as she goes through many tests. Thanks you.

Report # 5. Monday April 9^th.

I haven’t said much about the weather lately, but it is not very nice here yet. It snowed in the rain yesterday and rained all Saturday night, so the feeling is a very moist cold. Thankfully our apartment is warm and the vehicle as well.

Today we went to visit in the local prison. We were very surprised when 14 women walked into the room. It is a men’s prison but women are kept their awaiting court hearings.

They listened very well as we both spoke. Then two women came forward to ask questions. The one said she could not read, so how was she to know how to get to God, a very sad young woman. The second lady had killed her husband in self-defence, so she said and wanted us to pray for her two children. I prayed right there for her and we took their names and Dan would like to make contact with them, if it would be allowed. We gave them all N/T and John 3.16 and a pen. Then the guard came back to get us and we talked with him and invited him to our meeting.

We went to a village that Dan had been to before. It is the village where Luba’s 79 year old mother-in-law lives; she still walks her cow to the pasture each day, Luba is one of our ladies in the meeting. There is a school of 400 students in the village and they have made us very welcome to come and speak. We spoke to the younger children first and then a student drama was acted out by some older students. Then we spoke to the older students. Both groups gave very good attention and the want us back again next week or even sooner.

Altogether a very good day as the seed was sown in the ears of both older sinners and with the younger ones.

Tuesday April 10^th

We picked up the 2 prison officers; both named Igor and headed out for a long trip to the women’s prison we had been to last week. We spoke once again to about 100 women in the old monastery church. It was just as cold as the last time and I suppose never warms up. The women all wear parka’s but listen very well and some say “thank you” in English and ask us to come back.

I was telling Igor, one of our escorts that I had been to this prison some years ago, but he could not understand how I could have, as he was a director there for 7 years and didn’t remember me. He said the only Canadian he remembered was a woman named Flora. I told him I came with her. He said she came twice but he was not there for one of her visits and that must have been when I came. Quite a memory!

We headed home and got ready for the meeting. One of the largest, with about 18 out.

Still two more prisons to visit.