Report #4–September 20, 2017

In the above photo (viewable in you click the link to go online) a tiny newborn is post-op from surgery to remove a cancerous intestinal blockage.

Hopefully this report will be uploaded and sent. John Durham says there is no “internet” here it is only “intermittent.”

The past few days have been very cool and autumn is definitely felt in the air. There has been rain and wind that have chased away the sunshine and nice temps.

The past few days have been scheduled with constant activity. The daily World Bible Institute class on the Book of Revelation is going very well. I have had the Russian translation of my commentary on Revelation copied for each class member. Although it is in Russian it will be useful to them but they are very eager to get it in the Ukrainian language.

Yesterday I was invited to visit the Regional Children’s Hospital in Ivano-Frankivsk. This is a 400 bed facility that offers healthcare for newborns to children 18 years old. This facility is huge and offers medical treatment for all types of health issues. I was taken to the neurology, surgical and trauma clinics. We have been able to provide the hospital with some supplies and furnishings but they are desperate for much more.

Most of what they use is 25+ years old. The hospital beds were provided by a French organization years ago and many are unable to work. The incubators look good but they are old.

Visiting children’s hospitals always touches my deepest emotions. I see many small babies and toddlers who are struggling with diseases, paralysis, and broken bones.

Natasha, John, Dr Igor outside the burn unit

On this trip there was a tiny newborn that had just undergone spinal surgery. A five year old was in the trauma’s burn unit and over 60% of his body was burned. The surgeons had already performed five surgeries on the suffering boy. As I came to his room the nurses were changing his bandages and the pain was intense and his cries were piercing. In another room was a newborn with both of her arms reaching upward and one arm was rapidly twitching. The doctor told us that the baby had brain damage and there was nothing they could do as she would soon die. Room after room and ward after ward these scenes were witnessed.

The supplies and equipment which we are able to send seems so meager when placed in the context of this sprawling medical facility, but even our meager amount is greatly appreciated.

The hospital gave Ivan a list of requested items (mostly diagnostic) that are desperately need. When I explained that we get very few pieces of diagnostic equipment they replied, “But we will take anything that you can send—it does not have to be diagnostic. We need EVERYTHING!”