THE CHURCH MEETING IN ZAPOROZHYE, UKRAINE 19 OCTOBER 2014
The displaced populations of eastern Ukraine continue to grow. Some are going back because of their fear that the pro-Russian anarchists will take their apartments. Others have no home left. Others have seen their families separated as hurried evacuations were made and they have no idea where the various family members are now located (We talked with one of the bus drivers who evacuated children and pregnant women from Slavyansk in May. He said that only women and children were allowed to go and the men were kept by the pro-Russian Separatists. The driver said the evacuation was dangerous and they had to take several detours before arriving in Berdyansk where the evacuees would be further separated and transported to Internally Displaced People (IDP) locations. Today there are approximately 1.7 MILLION IDPs in Ukraine. They left in the summer and placed in living locations that were suitable for the summer’s climate. But now the winter is coming. In one location, in Kyiv, there are 8,100 people from various parts of Donetsk, Lugansk, and Crimea living in a row of garages! In talking with an official yesterday he said they do not know what to do with these people. The available places for living have all vanished. He said there is a plan to use shipping containers and place a wall in the middle and use them for living quarters. But that will take much longer than they have time. The horror of Russia’s evil invasion and the megalomania of Russia’s Putin has forever changed the geopolitical balance in not only Ukraine and the Baltics but all of Europe. Even the USA has not escaped, although the Administration continues to refuse to say Russia “invaded.” Even though the current Administration has been quick to offer words staying non-lethal support would be sent, not one item has yet arrived because of the USA government. All that has arrived has been sent via the private sector!
The Zaporozhye leg of this mission trip is behind us now. We arrived in Kyiv very early this morning after leaving Zporozhye very late last night. As usual the train was jerking, and twisting and beating us black and blue. The heat was turned up very high and this morning Mike and I looked like we were well done!
The stay in Zaporozhye was very good. We were able to see a great many locations where our containers had been distributed. All total (to date) we have shipped in 18 forty-foot containers into Zaporozhye. The fruits of that are becoming evident.
One of the highlights of this trip to Zaporozhye was the location of the Church and being able to assemble and worship with them on Sunday. The preacher, Yuri, was overwhelmed that on Sunday there were four Americans present. He said that never has there been such a presence! In addition to those of us from the USA (myself, Mike Lawson, Gary Workman and Ronnie Morrison) there were a number from Donetsk who had fled from Russia’s war. The worship assembly was uplifting—Ronnie started with a lesson focused on keeping the fire (enthusiasm/zeal) for the Lord burning; Gary taught a lesson on grace and John 3:16 and preached in English and Russian; I was asked to say some words for Communion; and Mike was asked to give some devotional thoughts for the offering.
The Church has just recently began meeting in the basement of a public building. Prior to this location the Church had assembled in Yuri’s home apartment.
One of the more positive developments was that the Consignee in Zaporozhye asked if the congregation would be willing to help. We met with Yuri and he is excited about that possibility. So it looks like we have finally connected in Zaporozhye!!
Following the worship assembly we went to a cookout at the summer home of Ivan Mikhalovich. It was an all afternoon and evening event. Our train was not scheduled to leave until 10:10 p.m. So we enjoyed another period of eating and eating and more eating. The members of the Veterans of Chernobyl wanted Mike to experience fishing in the Dnieper and they took him out on that cold river bank where a blustery wind would cut through every garment you wore.
We continue to hear good things from the public conference in Zaporozhye on Saturday.
Monday was spent try to recover from the train ride but little time was allowed for that. We had maybe 15-30 minutes and then it was time to be up and going again.
Tuesday’s schedule calls for us to visit some distribution locations and see the items that were brought into Ukraine on the German container. This is the container that was offered to me free of charge if I would pay $4,000.00 for the transportation expenses!
The needs are growing as the winter’s cold begins. There is a desperate need for thermal undergarments, warm socks, and any other item that will help stave off the bitter cold that is coming! Everywhere I visit I am given great thanks for the winter clothing that is being sent and asked to send anything that will keep folks warm.
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.
Zaporozhye, Ukraine
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