The Great Cat Rescue

Finally things are getting back to normal We spent three and a half weeks in the good old US of A and then Patty R., Chairman of Smile Alliance International, arrived two days after we returned home. We had a great time with her but we are exhausted. So. . . I will give you a brief account of our latest adventures. I could mention what is happening with the CBN building but you can read about that on the Smile House blog which is linked to this one. I will mention that plans are being put together for a physical therapy team in the fall of 2007. We spent a day visiting with the staff and some board members of Mission to Ukraine in Zhitomer with this team in mind. Also, Inga from Mother's Care at YWAM joined us for a very productive meeting about this future trip. A trip to Mostysche helped us establish some of the things this facility needs and we were trying to explore the possibility for a team connected with YWAM from the Ellensburg First Presbyterian Church in March.

But I want to recount what could possibly be one of our most productive experiences so far. I have dubbed it the GREAT CAT RESCUE.

Patty and I had arrived at the front door of our building when we heard a cat meowing very loudly. Richard had gone to the store while we walked home but then he discovered that we didn't have a key so he was headed home to let us into the apartment. We discovered that a cat was up on an cement ledge above the doorway of a neighboring building. (My guess is that some kids probably put her there. ) Anyway, she was very upset and a lady from the neighboring apartment was trying to get to her through the hallway window which was nailed shut. About that time a little Babushka came up with a long stick and tried to coax her down. Patty and I couldn't do anything but watch and make encouraging comments. Then our hero, Richard, arrived. He went inside and after about 15 minutes, he was able to pry the nails out of the window with the help of the lady from the building. The hammer he had to use did not have a claw on the back so it took a lot of work. The Babushka joined them and when the window opened she tried to get the cat to come to her. The cat was more afraid of her then being on the ledge. After much coaxing, the cat moved forward and the lady grabbed her by the neck and roughly pulled her through the window. We applauded and then went on our way.

This morning when we were out jogging, a lady who often exercises at the same time as we do came up to us. She thanked us for rescuing her cat and said her mother wanted her to thank us as well. (Her mother is the Babushka.) Then on the way back to the apartment, Baba Halya, the grounds keeper, (see the Life in Ukraine blog for more about her) came up to us and said something about a cat. Also, we understood her to say that Meow is the same in both Russian and English. As we waited for the elevator, the first floor neighbor came out and was very friendly--this is the first time this has happened. We are pretty sure that word has spread around the neighborhood that the American gentleman rescued the cat. It just goes to show that we don't always realize what a small kindness can do. I guess the reverse is true as well. Ah yes, "Actions speak louder than words." Our prayer is that our actions will always represent the One who sent us.