Veteran House Service Project

Early Saturday morning, we left for a service project with our Branch down in Ramanskya. After the metro ride, we were picked up in a warm van driven by Alexander "Sasha" Zakarov, a member of our branch and the driver for the Russia West Mission. We drove for almost an hour and during our drive we saw first hand the devastation caused by the ice storm that had arrived over three weeks before. At lease one third of all the trees and branches were split and on the ground because of the weight of the ice. The storm had caused major power outages in this area that had not been fixed yet. Everyone heats their homes from the steam plants so the lights (candles?) and elevators (I don't want to think about it) and telephones (not cell) were not working. That makes for a long dark evening in the winter over here!

Jim was asked to write an article for the Liahona about our service project so I included it.

Members of the Perovo Branch of the Moscow Mission brightened the lives of the senior ladies in Ramenskaya, Russia, on a recent Saturday morning. Branch members met with the ladies in the Ramenskaya Veteran's Home for Women. When the ladies had gathered in their large common room, Branch President Makorov greeted them with his warm smile and gave them a beautiful Christmas message. Then, branch members, including missionaries, sang Christmas songs. Afterwards, all were invited to join in Karaoke singing, which the ladies greatly enjoyed as they sang the words shown on a screen, clapping enthusiastically at the end of each song. During the singing, some of the ladies were even invited to dance by branch members. After the singing and dancing, the branch presented a Christmas sack full of gifts to each lady. The sacks were delivered personally by the youngest member of the branch, 5-year old Ksusha. The gifts included warm stockings, hand and laundry soap, towels and other personal items. When all was done, the ladies exxpressed their gratitude with hugs and kisses and gave a warm farewell, expressing their desire for a return visit--which is already scheduled in the near future. One lady even promised to be part of the program and sing a solo. Everyone's heart was fully warmed on the bright but cold Russian winter's day.

Sisters Trunova and Perry with Nadeshda and Ksusha
Jim making notes for the article. Notice the new wiring for the lights - but the wires are not covered!
President Makarov, Irena, Sister Trunova, Nadeshda, Ksusha, Anatoli
Sister Perry teaching Kusha on the piano.

Irena translating so Jim can talk to the women.

some of the women

Sister Perry visiting with a lady.

Beautiful Babushka!

another Beautiful Babushka

dancing

Sister Trunova with a lady.

Jim sitting with the women.

Ksusha handing out the packages with Anatoli's help.

All of the women took their special sacks back to their rooms to open them.