HUMAN KINDNESS

I want to share a story with you that begins with a 200
 griven bill and ends with homemade breads and candied walnuts.

The goodness of people everywhere is so touching.I want to share a story with you that really touched me.
There is a little outdoor bizarre by our home. It is called a Reenik. There are little booths set up where people sell things. There is one area that looks like a farmers market with about 30 vendors selling fruits and vegetables. There is another area where you can buy basic staples like dairy products, pastas, rice, breads, spices, and teas. Then there are some booths where you can buy office supplies, light bulbs, batteries, brooms, and electrical outlets. You get the picture.

Well one day I had to buy some notebooks for the Strengthening Families class we are teaching. I went to a little booth that sold office supplies. I bought about 15 notebooks and some pens and went on my way. A few weeks later I found myself back at this booth looking for something like glue sticks. When the lady saw me she recognized me and picked up a stack of notebooks to signal to me that she remembered I had bought notebooks from her. She didn't speak English and I still don't speak Russian. So we were communicating with some simple gestures. She then reached under the counter and brought out a 200 griven bill which is 40 American dollars. She told me I had dropped it when I bought the notebooks over 2 weeks ago. I couldn't believe it. She had been saving it for me. This was so touching because I know how much 200 griven would mean to anyone here in Ukraine. That is alot of money. I thanked her and walked away in shock. I couldn't stop thinking of her and every time I would walk through the Reenik I would think about how I could show my appreciation. So today I had the chance. I got up and made zucchini bread, banana bread, candied walnuts, and packaged up some dark chocolate covered peanut butter pretzels from America and put them all in a basket. I lined the basket with a beautiful white linen cloth I purchased at Slovajorsk. I wrote a little thank you card in Russian and we headed for the Reenik. The whole way there I was praying she would be there. It is Saturday and I was afraid she may have the day off. When I approached her with the basket I think she thought I was selling something. She raised her hands and started shaking her head no,no. I said as slow as I could "this is for you, you returned my money to me, I want to thank you. She stopped shaking her head and said in broken English, " Yes, I remember" I then handed her the basket. I think she was surprised the whole basket was for her. She seemed to think I wanted her to take something out it. She thanked me and I left her standing there looking just as stunned as I was to get my money back. Anyway, the point is. I was so impressed by her honesty and by the fact that she held on to my 200 griven for almost 3 weeks hoping I would come by again. The other reason I share this with you is to tell you how fun it was to show my appreciation this way. I really enjoyed baking knowing that I would be sharing it with this nice lady. I know when we loose ourselves in service it brings us joy. It takes us out of our own struggles or worries and helps us focus on someone else. I want to thank all of our friends and family who have taken the time to write and send their love. I know you are busy and I appreciate you taking the time to let us know you are thinking and most importantly praying for us. We have such wonderful friends. Thank-you so much.