Tricia’s Knee Surgery 

Tricia will be undergoing knee surgery in Kiev on Tuesday, February 2nd. She will be at Hospital #12, the same hospital Diane stayed in when she had her broken elbow in 1996. Matt and Tricia are pleased with the doctor (the same one who operated on Kostya Vikulkin’s knee), but Matt admits the hospital looks like a prison. Tricia will have blood work done on Monday, and check into the hospital on Tuesday. She will be having a spinal for anesthesia, and will stay one night. Please pray for Tricia and for the doctor, that the result will be successful. She has not been able to get out of bed for at least two weeks.

Widows Knit for Orphans

Today the widows knitting group met again in Apartment 11. They are working in class and at home to complete scarves and socks to give to the orphans of Orphanage #22 along with their grandmotherly hugs. They are grateful to Americans like B.J. Dunn of Bryn Mawr, PA, for sending beautiful yarn. 

New Bible Study for Grace Gang

Matt and Tricia McMurrin are hosting a Saturday night dinner and Bible study in their home for members of the Grace Gang, older orphans of MMK. This will include some “one-on-one” counseling. Sergey Sokolov and Katya Fedulova are regular members of this group. Others will probably follow. Even with her upcoming surgery, Tricia will be available from her chair, to teach and mentor.

Many Widows are Sick

Pray for our widows who, during the weeks of extreme cold and icy streets in Kiev, have suffered. Elza Amelina, Emma Bogomola, and Galina Orlenko have been in the hospital with pneumonia. Ludmila Borenskaya and Maria Ivanova have come home from the hospital after being treated for stroke. Galina Korzun fell and broke her back, Zhanna Melnitskaya fell and broke her leg, and Pelagea Skripka fell and broke her wrist. Also Taitana Telepneva broke her wrist. Galina Efimova had a gall bladder operation. Ludmila Scherbak has just been admitted to the hospital with a stroke. We assist these women with their medical expenses. Thank you for your support.

Pray for Roger’s Health

Ever since conducting Handel’s Messiah on January 18th, Roger has had trouble with his blood pressure. Though he takes his medicine, the numbers are still high. Also the numbness in his hands and the pain in his neck puts him in bed for several hours a day. In two weeks, we will be in America and see the surgeon for a follow-up appointment. Pray that we can find a solution to these problems.