Visit with Lidia S. & Irina K.
Lena visited two wonderful ladies and old friends, Irina K. and Lidia S. (in the pictures, Lidia is the one with the cane).
Lidia is 83 years old. Before she retired, she worked in the medical field, mainly in management and doing paperwork. She was a loving wife and a caring mother of two boys. Unlike most of our ladies in the program, Lidia’s life was good back then. However, 30 years ago, her husband suddenly died, and shortly later, she lost her job. It affected Lidia’s physical and emotional health. This is when Irina K., her neighbor, and good friend, invited her to St. Paul's Church. Needless to say, this is where Lidia’s heart was healed. She accepted Christ and was gladly serving in the choir of our old people.
Lidia was a part of our program, and Lena knew her well. Her two sons were very caring and loving, but about a year ago, Lidia disappeared. Some of our ladies were saying that she had moved abroad, but we had no way to check. Lidia would not answer her phone, and we didn’t know her close friend Irina K. So, after waiting for nine months of silence, we excluded Lidia from our program.
She reappeared at the beginning of summer, and when we informed her about our decision, she told us she was undergoing serious surgery (hip joint replacement) abroad. She politely thanked us for all the years of her membership in the program and in St. Paul's church.
About a month ago, Irina asked me to help Lidia because she was very sad. So Lena went to visit Lidia. Lena learned that at the end of August Lidia’s older son died at the age of 62 on the operating table as a result of two heart attacks. Then her younger son had back surgery, it did not go well, and he lost his ability to walk. Lidia was left with no support. About 40% of her pension goes to the bank monthly (she had to take a loan for her surgery). Lidia herself has had three strokes within two years (she showed Lena all her medical records). She can hardly move around her apartment. Her friend Irina comes to walk Lidia’s dog. Lidia is now part of our widows’ program again.
Irina K. is also an 83-year-old widow. She never had any children, but Irina worked as an engineer in different state institutions in Kyiv. She lives with her niece, niece's son, and four cats. Unfortunately, Irina's niece does not take care of Lidia. Praise God, Irina's health is good for her age. She is a frequent guest in Lidia’s home to help her. Irina is very thankful to her sponsors and MMK for the spiritual and material support.
Would you please pray for Lidia and Irina—that God would continue to provide for them and lift their spirits?
