Franya Sokurenko
Name, date and place of birth:
#334 Sokurenko Franya. February 28, 1945. Slidy Village, Vinitsa region.
Description
Tell about your childhood, school, family, etc.
I grew up without a father. After finishing school I started working. I merely had no childhood.
Where did you work? Was your work good? Were you happy with your job?
I worked at a big factory. I was a simple worker. I was pleased with my job.
Tell about your present life.
High blood pressure. Poor vision. Herniated spinal discs make it difficult to walk. Progressive dementia. Nephew’s family helps.
Have you accepted Christ? How long have you been following the Lord?
I believe in Christ and read my Bible though my vision is very poor.
Tell about one thing your sponsor needs to know about you.
I am very thankful for your help. My health condition is poor so I need support.
Story
I have visited my special lady Franya Sokurenko. I brought her October supply of food vouchers.
She is in pain because of her herniated spinal discs that cannot be operated and her bladder is not well – so it upsets Franys a lot.
She became even more bent compare to her condition only one month ago. Despite this, Franya radiates joy in the Lord. And every time when I come to see her, she is infinately thankful to MMK and her sponsors Blake in Millie in particular. Her nephew who takes care of her does all the grocery shopping for her with Auchan food vouchers.
Franya does not have hobby or something that would keep her busy. I see that in many ways she does feel very lonely. I do my best not to encourage her self-pity. This time I praised her for her new hair style – she looked at the her picture (which I attach) and liked it and it made me glad. We agreed that this year unlike years before we will decorate her Christmas tree. But first she said, “Lena, this is not necessary. Making a holiday for me is not necessary”. I said, it is Jesus’s holiday, not hers, and her job is to celebrate it well 🙂 Then she started crying, “Or I wish my Vasily (her alcoholic husband who died last year) were here”. And there I was to chose if I was to cry with her or … I chose OR and said, “Sure, it is always more fun to buy vodka for your alcoholic husband than setting a Chistmas tree for yourself. Right, Franya?” Since Franya knows that my love is tough 🙂 she started laughing like a little girl and it warmed my heart.
Praying with Franya and encouraging her with passages from the Scripture is one of our favourite things, as always.