IVAN SKOLEBA GIVES MIKE LAWSON A GIFT OF APPRECIATION FOR MIKE’S WORK WITH THE CHURCH IN IVANO-FRANKIVSK
This is the last report from Ivano-Frankivsk on this trip! The time has passed quickly but there has been an incredible amount of memorable events and happenings.
Our final calls met and we had a good attendance. The brethren presented Mike and me with a book about Ivano-Frankivsk that was signed with notes from each of the families in the congregation. Following our class study we enjoyed a fellowship meal.
During our final day we met and discussed future plans for the work of the Church in Ivano-Frankivsk. The future is bright and with the registration wars behind us there is a myriad of opportunities that are within grasp.
Paval has begun working in Krivy Rog and his efforts are being met with success. There are some difficulties but overall the work is really encouraging. His teaching is effective and had it not been for illness there would have been two immersed into the Lord last Sunday. Ivan says the big problem for the Church is to find a suitable meeting place. The work in Krivy Rog is being done for $400.00 per month—that includes everything needed! There is an effort being made now to locate a suitable meeting place and Ivan says the rent on that place will not call for an increase in support.
At first we had sent Paval and Volodya to Krivy Rog but Volodya was going to Krivy Rog, going to his village outside of Ivano-Frankivsk (about 1-2 hours by bus), and working in Starry Lisets. He continues going to Krivy Rog twice a month but Paval is capable of doing that work and there is really no need to place two fulltime workers in that location when there is so many locations needing a good gospel preacher—it just is not good stewardship. So Paval has agreed to take the entire work in Krivy Rog and Volodya is going to focus on Stary Lisets and his village (named Victoriv).
The main focus of Volodya’s efforts will be in Stary Lisets. We have done much in that town and there has been a request for years for us to come there. As I recall, four years ago the Mayor of Stary Lisets took me to a private home and said that would be a good location to establish the church of Christ. At that time it was just not possible. But now, with Volodya graduating from Bear Valley Biblical Institute, we are ready. The Mayor has said Volodya can have an office in the local Palace of Culture and there is an assembly room available as well.
When we were talking about Volodya going and working in Stary Lisets and Victoriv I wondered how much it would cost to fund a man doing that work. So I asked. Volodya and Ivan said they have discussed this and said that $400.00 per month (the amount required for Krivy Rog) is what will be necessary. They said they would work with this much for one year and then see how the funds are working.
So with $400.00 per month we have a fulltime, biblically sound evangelist working in two locations! Who will help us answer this call?
An added motivation at this time to start a located work in Stary Lisets is the fact that there have been Christians from the east (from Donetsk city) who have been relocated in Stary Lisets because of the war. Volodaya and Ivan added to this fact the observation that there are a number in the town who have been eager for the Church to be established there. So from the years of work it seems this is an ideal time to begin the work in Stary Lisets.
One if the greatest compliments I have heard regarding the congregation in Ivano-Frankivsk was spoken by Mike as he commented, “I must say this congregation is one of the most energetic that I have seen over here.” He also spoke complimentary of the numbers of young families and children and their loving fellowship and devotion.
Mike and I leave Ivano-Frankivsk EARLY in the morning! Our plane is to begin loading at 6:45 a.m. We will go to Kyiv and there take an overnight train to Zaporozhye where our train will arrive at 4:46 a.m. Thursday morning! At that point we will be on a fast paced schedule as we visit various locations of distribution, meet with various officials, and then assemble with our brethren!
Be sure to tell others they register for automatic updates or can read posted updates on this mission trip at: www.kachelman.com/ukraine/blog
Thank you for your financial support and prayers for the brethren in Ukraine and for the welfare of the Lord’s Church in Ukraine!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
You must be logged in to post a comment.