In the above photo (viewable if you click the link to go online) the Ivano-Frankivsk church of Christ assembles after worship on September 24, 2017
The Lord’s Day here dawned with drizzling rain, dark cloud cover, a damp chill and a cold breeze (in the 50’sF). But the assembly offered a wonderful reprieve of the autumn’s elements and provided warmth of fellowship and an embrace of love! We had 37+/- assembled for Bible study and fellowship. We continue to enjoy the presence of several who are visiting. Several of the regulars were not present because of illness. Galina has been struggling with cold-like symptoms, others are said to have the “flu” and others were out of town. If all the regulars had been present we would have been filled to overflowing.
John Durham continued his series on “apathy” and today exhorted us to be careful “lest I forget” the Lord’s love and sacrifice and the rich blessings it provides to the faithful.
Following services Bill and Luba Wharton hosted a number for lunch at their flat. Their visit has really impacted the congregation in a positive way and Bill’s mature biblical understanding helps apply the biblical principles to everyday life.
It is interesting to observe that the teaching really does not stop & start at any given time. There are always more questions and sideline discussions of the subjects presented. When you consider this interaction and teaching events it is easy to say that the classes continue non-stop.
Brothers and sisters from the Ivano-Frankivsk church of Christ send you greetings on this Lord’s Day!
Another interesting phenomenon to experience is our lodging here. Although we are in a secure building when the outside door is locked, and I’m not sure of the protocol for keeping the outside door locked, the rooms are not necessarily locked. JohnD has experienced this several times when he hears someone stirring around the other rooms late at night or even meeting them as they come out of the shower room. One time he got up and learned some strangers had been given permission to spend the night but John had not been told of their presence. Recently he was in his room and the door cracked open and a woman stuck her head inside, looked around and closed the door—curiosity!
On Monday Ivan has a number of visits scheduled as we continue to follow up on the distribution of the benevolent items shipped into the Ivano-Frankivsk region. My time in this location is coming to an end. Wednesday afternoon I will take a bus to Kherson and then a day train to Zaporozhye and then a bus to Kramatorsk and then a “fast train” to Kyiv. The final days of this trip will be spent in the areas around Kyiv.
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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