My friend Ray Grayham and I have been working with the church of Christ in Donetsk, Ukraine for four years. Ukraine was part of the former USSR and many of the people grew up as atheists. Many have received a Bible for the first time in their lives.
We first came here for three summers on religious campaigns and fell in love with the people. Ray and I, along with another friend decided after the third summer that we needed to move here. We were fortunate to receive support from the Woodland Hills church of Christ in Memphis.
In addition to teaching Bible classes, we have taught English, worked with orphanages and children's hospitals and old people in the area. We were recently given the opportunity to help feed old or invalid people in the area. Our local officials have given us the names of 25 people to whom our congregation delivers food each month.
For $5.00 per person, we are able to buy enough flour, sugar, oil, cereal and several other products to last for the month. Several people and churches in the USA have sent money to help with this project. We hope to raise enough money before fall to buy coal for the 10 people who live in private houses, so they can stay warm next winter.

One lady, to whom we took food, is 103 years old. Most of these people lost all their life savings when the Soviet Union disband. The money was in Russian banks and Russia kept it all. They live on a government pension of about $25.00 per month.
The first picture was taken as we were delivering food in February. Ray and I are the ones without hats. Ukrainians think we are taking our lives in our hands to go out without hats between November 1st and March 1st. The two people with us are our interpreters. We study Russian and Ray is almost fluent, but still uses Koyla when teaching lessons. If any of you were in French class with me, you will remember that languages are not my strong point. I have learned a lot, but still rely upon Nikka for help. The second picture shows one of the ladies receiving food. You can see her house in the background.

It has been a great experience to be here and to be able to help so many people. I wish you could all come visit and see what an interesting place this is.

Have fun at the reunion.

Lynn Allison