Report #11—15-16 October 2014…Arrived and running in Zaporozhye!

A PICTURE OF MIKE AND JOHN WITH SOME RESIDENTS OF HOSPITAL OF PSYCHOLOGY

Several days ago in Donetsk’s Petrovsky’s market there was a frightening illustration of the anarchy that now controls Donetsk and Lugansk. A man suddenly ran into the market frantically trying to distance himself from a group of pro-Russian soldiers who were chasing him. They ran through vegetable and fruit stands, dodging some and running over others. They chased the man into the middle of a large area and caught the target of their rage. They threw him down. The man pleaded for his life. He was placed on his knees and shot in his head. Some of the vendors were quickly packing their goods and trying to escape the savagery. Upon seeing the panic in the vendors the pro-Russians said, “Do not worry we are not going to hurt you.” Then two men each took a foot and dragged the dead man as they left the market.

This is anarchy’s “rule of law” that now regulates actions in Donetsk and Lugansk.

It is a simple fact that many are unwilling to admit—there is no safety in the areas of Donetsk and Lugansk controlled by the pro-Russians. One’s possessions are not secure and can be seized at the whim of the anarchist; one’s apartment is not secure as the door can be broken and invaded and destroyed; one’s person is not secure as bullets, bombs and shrapnel do not recognize the innocent and uninvolved (ask the 7 killed in the funeral cortege in Mariupol, Ukraine); one’s money is not secure as it will be ripped from your clutches; one’s jewelry (even wedding rings) is not secure as it will be savagely seized.

Understand this simple fact—NOTHING is secure in the occupied areas.

Today we loaded the thirty-third container of 2014 going to Ukraine! This container was loaded out of Cincinnati, OH by “A Child’s Hope International.” I received this note from Larry regarding the loading: “Thanks John, Paul will update you separately but it was great to see the container pull away from the Hope Factory™ today with Hope Boxes™ loaded with High Protein Food, clean water and hygiene kits. Praying for a safe and eventless journey to Ukraine and to the people who need these supplies desperately. Blessings, Larry Bergeron A Child’s Hope International.” This container shipped: 1,378 items weighing 44,420 pounds and was valued at $124,625.00! This translates into a practical relief of: 300,000+ meals, water purifier packs for 120,000 gallons of water and 230 hygiene kits!

We have word that the first containers shipped from the USA to help offer relief to those displaced and wounded by the Russian invasion will start arriving on 22 October.

Wednesday-Thursday EARLY morning was travel day for us. We started the day around 4:00 a.m. by leaving Ivano-Frankivsk and taking a plane to Kyiv. In Kyiv we boarded an all-night train that arrived in Zaporozhye at 4:46 a.m. it was a long day and very short night!

We were met at the train station by Alexander and Svetlana. They took us to the hotel and said we had time for breakfast and a five minute rest before they would be back to take us to visit some of the locations where distribution of our containers has been made.

We were taken to several locations but the one location that stands out in my memory is a psychiatric hospital for women that was located about 50 kilometers outside of Zaporozhye. We were taken there in a van that is being provided by the Governor of Zaporozhye (we are to meet with him on Saturday afternoon). The van ride was uneventful except for the fact the driver kept a steady speed of approximately 87 mph (as best as Mike could calculate). I was in the very back seat so even the slightest bumps and jolts were painfully felt.

Upon arrival at the psychiatric hospital we were told there were three divisions: those who are bedfast and will soon die; those who are able to get up and move on their own; and, those who are aggressive and judged dangerous to others. We went to the first two and skipped the third group.

I was impressed with the hospital staff and the Director. They demonstrated a tender care and compassion for the residents. I was impressed with the cleanliness of the facilities. We had given them bed linens, chairs, tables and diapers.

As we finished the tour the Director, Alexander, told us that some of the residents wanted to present a program. So we were taken to a large room and some sang songs. After the presentation Alexander said the residents wanted to give me and Mike a special gift. A lady came up with two crocheted dollies and gave each of us one. They were beautifully crafted and the fact that these were a special gift made them exceptional. As we were leaving this lady came up to me and said in pretty good English, You are the best people.” Such a compliment deservedly goes to everyone involved in these efforts—YOU are indeed the best people!

OLGA PRESENTS MIKE & JOHN WITH A CROCHETED DOLLY