ONE WIDOW’S STORY

Last Friday when I was working  in Pulin, an old lady came to see me. Her name is Valentina Chashimova.  She is 72 years old. Her husband died three years ago and she was left all alone. She doesn’t have any family or relatives and lives in the village of Tcherniavka, which is about 7 km from Pulin.  She goes to the Orthodox Church in Pulin and has made some pilgrimages to several Orthodox monasteries in Ukraine, hoping to get her prayers answered.  She is just one of many widows in plight in Ukraine today!

Over the past several years her house turned into a shack with a leaking roof. The conditions of her living are so bad that she has to ask people to stay overnight in the wintertime. When I met her she had already stayed three nights at the house of some lady from her church.  She found out about the Widow’s House long ago, when it was still under construction. She was invited to come for the dedication meeting in September with other candidates and sponsors, but unfortunately broke her arm and had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks.

Valentina periodically comes to the House to warm up.  When she came last Monday, it was rather cold.  I offered her a cup of tea, which she received with great pleasure, putting her old worn gloves on the heater to warm them. This time she came bearing gifts for me. She brought me two icons and two apples. She sang some of her church songs for me, and then with tears in her eyes, asked me to accept her into the house.  No doubt she meets all our requirements and would be approved by the Board of Directors.  I hope she can move in before too long. That would be a great present for her at this time of the year -- a miracle, an answer to her prayers.  This is just one widow’s story. 

Alex Brzhezitskyy, National Director, SMU, Ukraine

P.S.  On a lighter note, before Valentina left she asked to use the bathroom.  She was so excited she left the door wide open.  When she came out, she was beaming like a Christmas tree.  I assume it was just a little bit of heaven to be able to use an indoor flush toilet!