Visit with Anna R.
This past Thursday, Lena visited Anna R. We had not met with her since the end of May. Over the summer, one of Anna’s friends took her to another town.
As you may remember, Anna’s two friends, Sophia and Tonia, take care of her. Since Anna is getting weaker and weaker, now she needs 24/7 care. Tonia lives in Chernigiv, so she takes Anna to her house for the whole summer. Sophia lives in a different part of Kiyv, so Anna rarely goes to her place, and if she does, it is only for a couple of hours. Anna is thankful to have such committed friends. She has Parkinson's, and she would not have made it on her own at her age.
Lena brought Anna a summer supply of food vouchers and a kitchen towel. Anna expressed her gratitude to our mission and particularly to her sponsors.
Despite her disability, Anna is always in good spirits. She is easy to talk to, a good listener, and a gifted and educated speaker. After talking to her, you wouldn’t think she was in her 80s—her mind is so sharp and clear. She also loves to joke around. This time when Lena was telling Anna about one of her cats, Lena said, “See, she falls asleep much quicker if I pet her head.” Without hesitation, Anna said, “Sophia, did you hear? This recipe may work with me when I struggle trying to fall asleep.” She’s so witty!
As Anna was moving around getting ready for picture time, she told Lena, “And now put Roger under my backside, please.” Lena was understandably confused and had no idea what she was talking about. Sophia took a warm, handmade blanket and explained, “Years ago when Anna was not in our program, but her brother, Nikolay, was. MMK ministers came to visit Nikolay and brought him a blanket as a gift.” Both of them were so impressed with the work of the mission and its founder Roger McMurrin that they named the blanket after him. After Nikolay passed away, and his sister “inherited” Roger. Who knows, one day maybe the streets in Kyiv will be named after this wonderful man because this family certainly cherishes the warm memories of his ministry in Kyiv.
Thank you for your continued prayer and love for our widows. You are bringing the light of Christ to widows in Ukraine.
