Visiting widow Mariia M.
By Iryna Donchenko
During the quarantine, I had a chance to get to know Mariia over the phone. Since that time, I’ve learned that Mariia lives alone. She has a son, but he lives separately and rarely visits her. Mariia has an immune system sickness, and she’s forced to take medicines that support her immune system. Unfortunately, those kinds of medicines negatively affect her musculoskeletal system. Mariia suffers from bone weakness and blood pressure—she developed osteoporosis.
At the end of winter, Mariia broke her leg and she wore a plaster cast for a long time. The quarantine had just begun at that time. Our phone calls were a big support for her. Mariia’s son couldn’t visit her and he couldn’t provide any material help as well, because he lost his job. Her son has diabetes and it’s difficult for him to find a job. He made a decision to start driving a taxi. Mariia worries about that.
Being in quarantine, I promised to visit Mariia as soon as it was possible. I kept my word and visited her! Mariia was happy to see me. Shortly before we met, Mariia had an appointment in the hospital. She dropped a piece of paper and tried to pick it up, but she felt dizzy and she fell, injuring her forehead. A hematoma has formed on the forehead and a bruise had appeared. Mariia felt bad for two days and she tried to rest. She felt a pain in her shoulder.
When I came, my knowledge as a junior nurse and a masseur came in handy. I examined her back and shoulder. Then I made a light massage, rubbed her shoulder and back with ointment and covered her back with a blanket. Then my knowledge of God’s Word and counseling came in handy as well. Nothing can treat our souls or our physical and spiritual wounds better than God’s Word! We had a wonderful fellowship.
Mariia shared that she has been participating in the MMK program since 2012. Before that, she heard and knew about God, but she didn’t have a faith. She discovered that at St. Paul’s Church. She learned a lot, repented, and her attitude towards life has changed. She shared her faith with her son and a nephew. She told me that in the past her nephew was a drug-addicted man, but her faith changed his life. Mariia only had an opportunity to communicate with him through phone calls because he lived in another town. Mariia is convinced that a phone is a wonderful instrument, which connects people. She happily shared that he turned to God, has found a church in his town, and repented. Currently, he is a minister in one local church.
Mariia misses our fellowship! She reads the Bible and prays consistently. She’s grateful to God for all His assistance and care!
St. Paul’s Church has become a second family to Mariia. Glory to God for the MMK ministry and for all those, who have gifted hearts to serve others in His Glory!
Serhiy Basarab also got a chance to speak with Mariia on Thursday at the widow’s gathering. He says that her words of gratitude were like a balm to his soul.
