Elevator still not working…will not work for probably a month…motor is burned out and is being replaced! So, I guess I will be getting my exercise this month! The weather is cold and rainy and I am very glad that I packed a light jacket, I have needed it every day. My sister Vicki would say the weather is perfect…she loves God’s air conditioning…and I do as well, but not quite as much as she does.
We went down town this morning to mail some snail mail to my grandchildren for their birthdays. Wil, my oldest son, also has a birthday coming up so I mailed him something that may or may not get to him before June 9. I hope that they will enjoy the Russian words (I wrote what they said) and pictures.
After mailing the cards, we went by van across the river to Tamara’s hospital, #5. It is a forty minute trip on a good day. We had a good day, so we were there very quickly. Tamara met us in the stair well and gave me a big bear hug. I enjoy her so very much. You can tell how much she cares for “her” babies and her staff. She works very hard to acquire just basic necessities for her floor. Thru her persistence she has been able to get 10 new hospital beds, some of you have seen the pictures of the old ones…they desperately needed new ones. She still needs more, but she was able to get 10! She has acquired a new sink and hot water heater in several of the baby wards (we replaced one for her 2 years ago); she has replaced windows which leak cold air (in 2 inch gaps) in the winter (not all are replaced yet); she has replaced worn out floors with new linoleum, she has replaced curtains and painted almost all of the orphan baby wards; the lighting all down her hall was replaced by your generosity a couple of years ago; she has a way of convincing the authorities and getting sponsors from charitable groups in order to take care of “her” babies!
I didn’t know just how much she has done for her floor until I visited on two other floors today. The difference is amazing. It was like going to a different hospital entirely. The floors, the facilities, the beds, the walls…I was thanking God for your generosity and love and my “persistent widow/nurse” Tamara. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaching out and making a difference in the lives of these little ones. God is smiling.
Afterwards we were able to visit and encourage Natasha, a former interpreter. She had twin girls a year ago. She has been feeling the isolation that comes with having twins and not being able to get out much. I got a better feel for just how deep her isolation is after visiting with her.
Imagine, and it does not take much imagination for me considering we have twin grandsons who will soon be two, trying to get two children out and about. Now…imagine doing it under the same conditions that she does.
A twin size stroller will not fit in their VERY small elevator. (it fits two people comfortably, three is tight, and four (unless they are Twiggy) is uncomfortable. She lives on the fifth floor…so she can wait until her husband comes home (very late in the evening) or some one happens to come by and help her take them out for a walk in the area near their apartment. If she wants to go any where with them she must get on public transportation. By herself that is nearly impossible. The vans move very quickly and the people are not patient with strollers of any kind, they do not have time for a mother to put two babies on the van, find a seat, get their bags arranged, (forget car seats) pay the money, look for the correct stop, get off with the two children, the bags, and other stuff she needs…not to mention anything that she has to buy she will have to carry herself…I felt a new appreciation for just how hard it is for her to get out. She has no family that lives very close, and she lives across the river from most church members.
Speaking of church….there is NO cradle roll….NO mothers nursery….NO training room…NO facilities to change babies or place to feed them…NO amenities that you and I take for granted. If she can manage by some miracle to get them all across the river and to church, she has no place for them to be during worship except in her lap. When she can get help from her mom, she comes with out them. That doesn’t happen very often. The thought of wrestling two cranky babies through weather, transportation, and no classes does not make it easy to attend.
All I can say is….THANK YOU… Miss Sally, Miss Frankie, Miss Kathy, Miss Cathy, Miss Ruth Ann…all of the nursery attendants…all the Cradle Roll helpers and teachers (I am sorry, I know that I have missed naming someone for sure)…any one who has anything to do with our littlest ones being taught and loved on! THANK YOU! You may not realize just how important you are…but I do! And every mother of small ones does, too!
After leaving Natasha’s delightful brood, we traveled across the river and thru the woods…no, no…to the church building! We talked with Irina, the preachers wife, about the plans for tomorrows lesson at the orphanage they support. It will be an hour and a half ride to get there, we will teach for 2 hours, then come back. Of course, Fairy, she needs me to teach a lesson I have no visuals or craft for! BUT…due to your organization and supplies…it will come together! We are going to be teaching about the Plagues and will use paper plates and let them draw the visuals and then re-tell the story using the “craft” they made! We shall see if this comes off or not! I know God will use it too the best of our ability! Then we will play a game and do some other activities.
Tomorrow will be a long day…I know that you are praying for me. This blog is being typed up in Word and will be posted Thursday. I just couldn’t convince myself after this long day to walk back down 7 flights, across to Daffi, back up 7 flights, carrying my lap top, to my flat with the rain and darkness coming so quickly! So I know that you will forgive the late posting!
I love you all and will see you very soon, Lord willing.
Love and Peace in Him,
Jackie
