The Above Photo: Ron Swang, Gary Jerkins, John Durham outside of the Ivano-Frankivsk train station after arriving with the instructors for the medical mission seminar.
Today dawned with a bone-chilling fog and clouds. It snowed in the mountains and that cold invaded the lower regions. A scarf and hat definitely felt good!
The Second Medical Mission Seminar (“Becoming a Great Physician—The Heart Factor”) has officially ignited! An entire train compartment full of American medical professionals and their many pieces of luggage arrived in Ivano-Frankivsk about 30 minutes late. All looked great even though they were just off an overnight train! Emmanuel and others involved on this side of the seminar had transportation arranged and there was a great team to help move the luggage and offer directions. An afternoon meeting with the Medical Institute’s Administration allowed Gary to introduce the different seminar topics and those who will be instructing. Gary has put together a team with an amazing scope of talents that will definitely be a positive factor in the Medical Institute’s program. I really appreciate each of the American medical professionals who has come at their own expense and sacrifice of time and energy from their practices back home!
Today I went with Ivan and Ruslan and Andrew to the Church’s storage/distribution center. Last August we loaded 4 containers in Houston, TX and one of these was sent to Ivano-Frankivsk. We finally received approval for distribution. Among the items shipped in that container were hospital scrubs and linens. The scrubs are wonderful and the hospitals are excited about getting them for their staffs. Today there was a steady stream coming to pick up the supplies that the hospitals cannot afford to buy.
Today there was a steady communication and contacts regarding the corruption issues in Ukraine. Everyone I talked with cannot believe the arrogance and haughty evil of the TASK GROUP and its absurd questions. Everyone who hears the questions automatically say, “They are stalling for a bribe to be given.” We continue to shine the light of truth on the cockroaches of corruption! Hopefully we will be able to detail a number of these actions to you soon. It is very interesting that I have received communication from the Diaspora in North American while in Ukraine! There is a clamoring call for a blunt addressing and punishment of corruption—patience has been stressed to its limit. Why is it that the political “elite” always seem to be deaf to the practical reality of the citizens they are to serve? Such is not limited by geographical borders, culture or language because it is the result of SIN in the actions of those who are placed in governing positions.
Our Bible class tonight was another wonderful refuge from the woes of the world. We had 15 in the study tonight!
A container was shipped from Jonesville, IN to the Republic of Georgia on February 14, 2019. Distribution was in three villages: Village Khabume in Chkhorotsku Municipality; Village Khamiskuri in Khobi Municipality; Village Torsa, Khobi Municipality. There is a large number of IDPs and orphans because of Russia’s invasion and occupation of pockets in Georgia (as we now see in Ukraine—what was allowed to happen in Georgia and Moldova only fueled Russian aggression in Ukraine. The failure to stop Russia only encouraged more Russian brutality and inhumanity!).
Please continue praying for our on-going efforts! The Medical Seminar begins its schedule tomorrow with opening ceremonies at 5:00. In the morning they are setting up their instruction rooms and getting everything ready for the start. John Durham told me that each medical student attending will receive a gift bag and he was able to secure Bibles with good notes, helpful study outlines and references, These Bibles will be among the items placed in the gift bags.
John L. Kachelman, Jr. Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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