July, 2022 Svetlana's Letter

Recently, the church in our co-worker Svetlana’s village received humanitarian aid and distributed it among people in need including members of the church. They went to the neighbours in each house along the street where the church is located offering assistance. Here is Svetlana’s letter:

Some people accepted help, others thanked us and said they were OK. One woman brought out baby formula saying: “i am sure you will find who needs this now.” Another neighbour who lives across the street confessed: “I like your music. Sometimes when you preach and the windows are open, I turn off the TV and listen.” It was a great way to connect more with our neighbours.

One woman in the village named Elena brings up two children alone. Her daughter Angelina is 9 years old and her son Pavlik is 7. We were introduced to Elena through a social worker. Not long ago Elena divorced her husband who has since died. From birth Pavlik has had an anomaly in the development of the brain called Dandy Walker syndrome. He cannot walk or hear. The boy is very small for his age and cannot eat ordinary food - he needs special formulas. In June he is to undergo a series of examinations to confirm his disability in order for Elena to receive government benefits. She asked for help to pay for the tests. At the moment they live i another village so we are also helping to pay for the gasoline to get them to the hospital. In addition, we have been helping this family with food, formula, and diapers for Pavlik. They are grateful for this help because it gives them hope when they see that there are people who care.