Visiting the village Nebiliv

Another interesting “snapshot” from daily activities…

During Saturday’s traveling about I was riding in a taxi. Usually I will not say anything because once they hear Americans the price doubles. One of the doors had not completely closed so Tanya asked me if my door was shut. When the driver heard her speaking English he asked from where I came (I guess my Arkansas English was not clear enough). She told him I was an American. The driver began talking with greater excitement. “I was in Afghanistan for four years with the Soviet troops. While there we captured two Americans. The driver said they were attacking a base and had it surrounded and then they saw two Americans with their hands up in air indicating they were not going to fight. The driver said ‘What were we to say?’ So he said they called out to these two Americans in the only English words they knew from watching TV, ‘OK! Come on baby!’ We did capture a number of foreigners in that war and we would always exchange them for the Soviets held by the other side. The driver told me that a few weeks ago he had been to a meeting in Kyiv called “Friends of Vietnam.” He said that he had once been on different sides but now we fight on the same side and it is much better. As we neared our destination the driver, Boris, said, “I am honored. I have never had a live American in my taxi before!” And then he charged me the fare…

The activities on Friday were all focused on the village of Nebiliv. I had shoes that Kathy Cadden had shipped to be distributed to the orphanage in Nebiliv. There were also some linens and I had toothbrushes to distribute.

We met with the Director of the orphanage (Oksana) and it was a pleasant meeting. It was a holiday here (Victory Day) and usually she would not have been at the orphanage, but she made a special trip just to meet and welcome us. This orphanage houses children in three different categories: true orphans (both parents are dead); orphans (children that have living parents but the parents have abandoned the child or is unfit); and, children whose parents are working outside of Ukraine to earn a living (they cannot find jobs in Ukraine so go to neighboring nations to work and often both parents go). This orphanage houses a number of disabled/special needs children.

During the visit I was told that there is a great need for an approved playground to be installed. Because of the special needs children being housed here, the State has certain codes that they are enforcing so the children will be cared for in a safe environment. These special safety regulations are good but also add costs that are impossible for the organizations. The Director had searched to find what they would like to get for the children. She showed us the wish-list and described what was needed.

We then met with a group of the children and took pictures of the shoes being given out.

A visit with Magdalena

After leaving the orphanage we went to spend some time with Magdalena. This is the elderly lady that cannot walk. We have helped her with a wheelchair and other items. She is always appreciative for whatever help is given to her. Ivan had put together a large sack full of items for her—boxes of matches, washing detergent, peanut butter, canned meats, canned tuna fish, tea, soaps, and other items. These are items that we ship to Ivan and he uses them as food supplies to those he visits. Many that receive these food supplies would otherwise have nothing to eat. Magdalena was so thankful and said that once she could get some of the children to do things for her and she would give them some candy; but now “everyone wants money and it is not possible for me to get their help.” One thing that needed attention was her cooking stove. It had stopped working. Ivan and I looked at it thinking that maybe the gas pipes needed cleaned but it was beyond repair. We are in the process of trying to locate a good used cook stove to buy and take to her.

The day’s weather had been wonderful. Bright sunshine brought the fresh colors of spring out in vibrant colors. The temperatures were chilly and there was a wind blowing that made me glad I had brought my jacket.

Standing outside with that wind was not very comfortable. As we left Magdalena’s house, the sky began to darken with storms clouds. We left and started on the long trip back to Ivano-Frankivsk and missed the rain. Later that night Julia brought a carload from Nebiliv for the class and told us that just after we left the village it rained very hard and there was marble size hail that fell.

Classes in Ivano-Frankivsk

Our class on Friday night was larger in attendance than the previous night.

We had 15 present (thanks to the carload the Julia brought). Ortis was once again present but he apologized to me afterwards saying that he could not be present at any more of the classes. Saturday night’s class was cancelled due to the fact that we meet in a hotel that is near an open air concert hall in a neighboring park. Tonight as we were going to the hotel we were stopped by the militia who told us the entire area had been blocked because of a concert in the park. Ivan tried to tell them that we were not going to the park but to the hotel nearby. The militia refused to let us pass. Then Ivan tried another route only to find anther militia stop. This time he got out and went to the militia and told him what we were doing. This militia allowed us to pass. Ivan turned to me and said, “Look important. I told him I was driving an American who was the representative of the State of Arkansas and we needed to get to the hotel.” So they let us pass. We finally pulled up into the parking lot and found Dmitry who told us that no one else could get through the militia stops so we would not have a class. I took the opportunity to get Dmitry to send greetings to his brethren in America.

Since the internet connection is so bad here I will not be able to post it on the web site until I return. I will be including it in a DVD report that will be sent to all the supporters.

Tomorrow is the final Lord’s Day with the Ukrainian brethren on this trip. I have one more full week of work to do and it seems there is more work than time in the week to get it done. Please continue praying for our efforts. A special thank you to those who have helped provide the financial support that is critical to this trip and the work that is being done for the Lord!