Singing Babushkas

Byron at the market

Tonight is our last night in Kaharlyk. And I can honestly say я обожаю этот город . It has so much charm, and the people are so loving and generous... I could easily have a life here with Byron. However, we're still not sure if this is where God wants us to be, so we'll just continue praying.

Today was a really full day. We had lunch at a friend's house and then we got to serve at "oldies night."

The carbonated water that
we accidentally bought
because it looked so flat in the bottle!!!

From what we've been told by locals, the Soviet Union took care of the elderly (or at least did more for them than the current government does), and gave them a large pension (when compared to what they get now).

The elderly are probably one of the most impoverished demographic groups here in Ukraine, and because of their age, no one really cares to change that. No money, no food, no hope.

Cooking for "Oldies night"

Once a month, CCKaharlyk gets together to feed the elderly and bless them, and we had the privilege of experiencing this during our stay here in Kaharlyk. It was probably one of the coolest and most heartbreaking evenings of my life. I met so many precious elderly women (who are most likely widows because the men die well before the women around here) and two very sweet men (one of which gave me a kiss on the cheek every time Byron turned his head haha).

Serving the elderly

It's really impossible to put this experience into words... Basically, imagine the sweetest grandma you know. Now, imagine her with no money, little to no food, filthy, unloved, and desperately lonely. Now, imagine having a conversation with this grandma...the brief joy she gets from the distraction you offer her and the temporary elation of companionship... And that's what I was able to be a part of this evening. Tonight was a night that I will never forget, as long as I live.

Making new friends

The best part of the night was after tea. One table of women began to sing old Soviet folk songs, and it was so cool! It sounded so pretty, and you could tell they really loved having people to sing with... Their songs seemed full of memories.

I have so much more to say, but I want to leave you with one thought... Please, as you go to sleep tonight, pray for the elderly people of the world. We often pray for the upcoming generations, that they would be Godly leaders of our world, but tonight, please don't forget the men and women that came before these new generations... The people that lived through WWII, the people that were in Ukraine during the Soviet reign, the people who are now cold, hungry, and unable to work for their food anymore. Don't forget to serve, love, and pray for the elderly.


God bless from Ukraine!
Emily