HOW WONDERFUL YOUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS!

Wheel chairs hold a special place in our hearts...especially "Nimbus 2000".  They can mark the beginning of a new life.  They can be wings beneath ones feet; they can open a whole new world.

Last week, deserving people in this little city of Lugansk (1/2 million) were the recipiant of 270 wheel chairs ...ALL from donations to the Church by people like you. Even little donations added together can go out into the world and "go about doing good"!  The Church provided the wheel chairs and training; then partnered with a high school for young people with special needs and volunteers from Red Cross, veterans and other charitable organizations.  Two days of amazing coordination unfolded as the wheel chairs were assembled and volunteers were taught how to" fit" each chair to it's new owner (so critical). Then those in the school receiving a chair were fitted and given a "new life".  It was a blessing to watch... especially their faces. The rest of the equipment will be given out and fitted later at different locations because each chair had a designated owner before it arrived in Ukraine.

The four young missionaries serving here were not involved in the fitting quite so much but their presence and assistance was necessary,  so that all involved would relate this wonderful gift to the name tags they wore. 

There were questions by the press; the branch president with his wife and Sister Lubov were also present for the ceremonies and we were all introduced several times. The school and all the officials were full of gratitude.

After the last ceremony the school principal invited us to attend a school play being presented that afternoon.  It was a Ukranian "fairy tale" about a Tzar who was trying to marry his daughter off to a rich important man instead of the young man she loved. Very fascinating. Everything was done by these special students.  Some of the humor is a little different from what we are used to, but it was very enjoyable. 

Young people ages 13 to 18 go to this school which is to prepare them to be self sufficient.  Some make shoes, some learn computer skills, some draw, paint or make crafts to sell.

There are at least five large shipping containers of clothing from Salt Lake City going through customs right now and we will be presenting them in the next few months.  Doesn't it make you feel good to be part of all this happiness?