(The above photo is of Marsha and Timothy Skoleba at the Bible Class Wednesday Night)
Greetings from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine! David, Howell, Mary, Tanya, Olga and I arrived at the Ivano-Frankivsk airport shortly after 9:00 p.m. last night. It was a welcomed end to a 31+ hour travel schedule and when you add the 8 hours prior to beginning the trip…it was a VERRRY long time. I waited for my bags to come through the luggage carousel and then stumbled through the airport lobby being last in line of the weary travelers! The exhaustion was lightened some by the good number of brethren that had come to the airport to welcome us back. The trip to the flat seemed long and then finally I was able to brush my teeth (after the airplane coffee, foods, etc. the situation was beyond halitosis!).
Last night was spent in a deep, deep sleep and the morning was much too early.
The day began…well at this point I cannot recall exactly when the day began and who was there but I think Ivan and others were present and as I left they left with David and Howell. I do remember visiting a therapy clinic and talking with a doctor and therapists. In many of our shipments we send therapy and rehabilitation equipment and supplies.
The afternoon today was spent with members of the congregation as we confirmed various points in the schedules covering the next few weeks. All looks good and there are exciting opportunities awaiting us.
I am thoroughly enjoying David Hamrick and Howell Ferguson on this visit. David and Howell have come to Ivano-Frankivsk to begin an extension of the WORLD BIBLICAL INSTITUTE (http://www.worldbibleinstitute.com/). Today’s congregational meeting was dominated by this topic as we wanted to set out definite goals and governing principles. The congregation is excited about the possibility of a school that will offer in-depth classes and recognized degrees for completed studies. There are no Bible Institutes in the western regions of Ukraine and the linguistic and cultural differences with the east are significant enough to justify a school focused in Ukrainian language. Tomorrow we will continue this discussion and planning.
In tonight’s assembly we had two lessons that were presented by David and Howell. There were 27 present for the first class and 29 for the second class.
Jerry Morgan was to have met us when we arrived but I found out that he was leaving on a train for Kyiv when we were landing at the airport. Jerry’s and Donna’s daughter has had a life threatening illness and he had to leave immediately to return home. Please keep that family in your constant prayers!
Pray for our efforts as we begin this trip!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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