(Above photo shows the combined classes for Tuesday afternoon and night in Ivano-Frankivsk)
What a FANTASTIC day today was in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine! We awoke to drizzling rain and it continued all day long. Some are forecasting snow in the mountains tonight and a cold 40F tomorrow.
There are three highlights of today (out of many) that I want to bring to you.
The grand opening of the Maternity Ward…
On my last visit I was shown a distribution site in the Women’s Hospital. During that visit I was told about the urgent need to repair and renovate a wing of the hospital. The windows and doors needed replaced, the beds were in bad shape, and basically everything needed removed and replaced.
The Chief Nurse asked if the churches of Christ could help repair the wards as we have furnished so many other critical needs of the hospital.
I was hesitant to commit until I knew the amount required and ask that a cost list be given to us. The list was put together and it was $590.00. Brother Don England’s Bible Class (College church of Christ, Searcy, AR) takes up a collection for Ukraine every month. Thanks to their contribution we have been able to have sufficient funds to do this renovation plus assist in a number of other urgent needs and requests.
In addition to the repairs we also replaced beds and the hospital requested that we place special mattresses on the beds. This cost was not factored into the original amount (if you have ever done any construction repairs you know how common this is!). Fortunately the Hillsboro church of Christ (Nashville, TN) had a special donation given for Ivano-Frankivsk and that was forwarded to the Church. This special donation was enough to purchase the mattresses as well as purchase potatoes for Church members for the soon arriving winter.
THANK YOU brethren for your cheerful giving; your godly generosity; and, your emulation of the Divine “loving-kindness”!
We bought the supplies and the men of the Ivano-Frankivsk congregation did the manual work—tearing out the old plaster and plastering the walls, removing and replacing the windows and doors, running new electricity, replacing all light fixtures, replacing the sink and plumbing, repairing and replacing the floor and floor covering, and then painting!
Today was the grand opening of the repaired and refurbished maternity ward—red ribbon cutting! A number of us gathered for the event. There was television coverage and a large number gathered.
There is a sign on the door announcing that the ward was repaired and furnished by the church of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk. And in each of the newly made bedside tables is a Bible with the Church’s stamp inside giving addresses and telephone numbers. These are Ukrainian language Bibles that were provided by EEM’s ministry (https://www.eem.org/).
The event was outstanding and we were surrounded by the hospital’s nurses and physicians.
The Chief Doctor spoke about how the churches of Christ have often assisted his hospital. He said that the first partnership was ten years ago when we shipped in laparoscopic surgical devices. He says these are still in use and over 7,000 surgeries have been performed with this equipment (If I recall these came out of the White County Hospital in Searcy, AR and those of us loading the container had no idea what we were loading!).
We were treated to a wonderful “tea” following the ribbon cutting and the tour showing part of what we have sent to help this hospital.
There are three more wards that need repairs and remodeling and I am anticipating those projects to be a possibility.
The Tuesday afternoon and evening Bible Classes…
Once again we met at 3:00 and continued until about 8:00 in discussion and fellowship. Joy’s class on teacher training for children’s Bible classes was once again well attended. Joel’s class on basic Church leadership was also well attended and lively in discussion.
In between sessions we celebrated Marina’s birthday! She brought three cakes plus cookies and candy to share with all present. Over here the custom is that on a person’s birthday THEY (the birthday person) treat all to cake and goodies.
Photos: Marina is hugged by Masha as they stand at Marina’s birthday table. Below is a photo showing Sophia (Marina’s youngest daughter 4 years holding a flow bouquet that the congregation presented to Marina.
When you combine the crowd that gathered in two rooms you see a fantastic group!
The beginning of a Bible Institute that will offer valid diplomas…
Another FANTASTIC aspect of this trip has been the company of David Hamrick, Howell & Mary Ferguson with the WORLD BIBLE INSTITUTE (http://www.worldbibleinstitute.com/). They have been very busy in assessing the work and viability of an extension branch in Ivano-Frankivsk. MORE information on this will be forthcoming!
David wrote these words regarding their visit…
Dear Brethren,
Our trip to Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine has been absolutely wonderful. Howell Ferguson and I came for the expressed purpose of evaluating the potential for an extension school for World Bible Institute. It became evident early on that the people were ready and the time was right for such a school.
A number of things impressed us about the work here. The Church is extremely loving and hospitable. We were welcomed with open arms and genuine smiles. Among the members were attorneys, electrical engineers, an expert in aviation computer programming, a nurse, one holding a Masters degree in History, another with a Master’s Degree in Economics and a medical doctor. These are highly educated people who are thrilled about their new found faith. They are growing in number and have already outgrown the current rented facility.
There is a great need for a larger and more permanent location for the church to flourish. I sincerely believe that a new/larger facility will immediately result in numerical growth.
The humanitarian aid that John Kachelman has facilitated through the church of Christ has paid great dividends toward developing a positive image for the Church in a country heavily dominated by Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy.
Needy families, children homes, hospitals and the like have all reaped the benefit of the charitable work of the Church.
Local authorities and government officials are ready to offer valuable assistance to the furtherance of the church of Christ. As a result we have seen television interviews, dedications of new hospital facilities, special recognition at village celebrations, and have witnessed land and even buildings that have been donated to the church of Christ in various locations.
It is, therefore, an easy decision for us to establish a preacher training program starting in January 2017 to further the good work that is already rapidly developing.
We see an urgent need to train men that will be able to take on the responsibilities of establishing and growing newly planted congregations of the Lord’s church. Our initial target area includes the region within the 150 mile radius covered by Kachelman’s humanitarian aid project.
Remarkably we were able to establish an operating budget for the WBI extension school at a mere $450/month. This is achievable because most all involved are volunteering their time to make it possible. Our extended plans include reaching into Poland, Romania and Moldova from Ivano-Frankivsk.
God is gearing up to do a tremendous work in Western Ukraine. I encourage everyone reading this report to seriously consider joining Him to be a part of something special.
In His service,
David W. Hamrick
President, WBI
Exciting New Way to Support WBI
Operating funds for the preacher training school are always critical. But here is a way you can help that will really assist and all you do is shop at AMAZON!
I received the below from WBI and wanted to pass it long to you. As shopping begins for the holiday season (or as you shop throughout the year at AMAZON) this will really add up!
“We want to tell you about a new opportunity you have to support World Bible Institute that will not cost you a single dime. Simply by making purchases from Amazon.com through the link on WBI’s website, you can help WBI fulfill our mission of training preachers to take the gospel into all the world. Simply visit this link and use the banner in the sidebar to visit Amazon and make your purchases. That’s it. No higher prices. No extra donation. WBI simply receives a percentage of every purchase you make. Be sure to bookmark this link to use in the future.
P.S.: The banner appears on our bookstore page. Please feel free to browse the selection of high-quality publications from our staff members. Our books make for some practical and useful learning!”
Early Wednesday morning the group will leave Ivano-Frankivsk on the only plane departing from Ivano-Frankivsk. They will go to Kyiv. Following the group’s departure those who remain behind will begin plans for the next group’s arrival. The group from Dalraida (Montgomery, AL) arrives on Saturday evening to begin a full week of work!
Pray for our efforts as we continue this trip!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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