Ukraine is a typical matriarchal society where boys are usually raised
by mothers who teach them that "real" men never cry. It is much better
for her son to have a fist fight or later in life to have a drink
rather than to show his tears. There are only two acceptable occasions
for a Ukrainian man to cry: from laughing at a joke and from being
happy to see his mother.
Seriozha Linkov is a tough 15-year old boy. He never had his mother or
father teach him to be tough but he is a fighter. He was placed in the
orphanage-internot #4 four years ago. When he and Vitaly were in the
4th grade I decided to place them in karate class. Three times a week
we would take the boys by car to a karate school and then bring them
back. It was a fun experience for them. Last year Seriozha showed a
great interest in boxing. He even asked me to buy him a pair of
gloves. Last summer a boxing coach started working at internot #5
(facility for the kids from very poor families with single parents)
and twice a week he would come to the summer camp to take some boys to
boxing class. The coach liked Seriozha so much that he decided he
would move him to internot #5 and make a professional boxer out of
him. Then Seriozha left us in September. We heard that he was doing
fine but have not seen him since.
After Tania and I were in the US in September, a family from Panama
City, FL sent Seriozha a package. Seriozha wrote to these people a few
times after they gave him a Christmas gift last year. One day I
decided to take the present to Seriozha on my way to the Lastochka
Children's dental office. I volunteer as a dentist at this facility
twice a week. The first problem for me was to find Seriozha at his
school. The second was talking the director into allowing me to see
him as he was supposed to be in school at this time. As only the Lord
would arrange, the children had an unusual break (today only) when I
arrived at the school. The head of the faculty met me as I entered the
building and nicely escorted me and my translator to the director's
office. Within a few minutes the door opened and Seriozha rushed in to
give me a long hug. When I say "long" I mean rib crushing long. I
tried a few times to make his arms let go but the head would still
stayed glued to my chest. As we visited I looked into his red eyes and
thought for a second that this big tough boy was having an allergy
attack. Seriozha was crying. He could not stop crying the entire time
I was there. I never saw Seriozha cry before. Then I remembered the
second allowed occasion for a Ukrainian man to cry. Seriozha was very
happy to see his uncle Paul. I was happy to see him, too.....
Our thanks to you for your continued love and support.
Paul and Tania
Tax deductable contributions can be made out to:
Chapelgate Presbyterian Church
2600 Marriottsville Road
Marriottsville, Maryland 21104
memo on check:Account # 9284M Paul Becker Orphan Ministry
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