The pace of our actions has not slowed. Here are updates on the actions that continue. As the USA gathers in a nice warm house with a table spread with the family’s favorites, many in Ukraine are trying to survive through “one more day.” We are greatly blessed in the USA! The great blessings bestowed upon our nation should humble each citizen and stimulate a devotion to godliness and holy living.
A recent media report stated:
“The deliberate targeting of the civilian power grid, causing excessive collateral damage and unnecessary suffering on the civilian population, is a war crime. With the onset of winter, families will be without power, and more importantly, without heat. Basic human survival and subsistence is going to be severely impacted and human suffering for the Ukrainian population is going to increase. In the newly liberated southern city of Kherson, which had been under Russian occupation since the early days of the war, Ukrainian officials fear that the city’s battered power infrastructure will pull deadly freezes in the coming months. With Ukraine’s first snowfall of the season last week and temperatures dropping, citizens are encouraged to limit their energy consumption in places where the system appears to feel the most strain.”
Logistical maneuvers…we are on-track to send 300+ shipments by the end of they year. Charita and Tanya are working constantly to secure logistics, publish reports and plead for funding. Here is an email that Tanya sent detailing some of the factors involved.
“Hi again! This container goes to Zaporozhe and I sent them an inventory. Heard back from Evgenii and the contents are not what they hoped. They are focused on helping Kherson and there’s no light or gas to cook on in that city. They are asking if that container could be re-assigned to another group and help them get a load that will have food that does not need cooked, like power bars. I told him we cannot tell what goes where till the containers are loaded. They could also get volunteers in Zaporozhe to cook and bake and take to Kherson but evidently, they don’t have resources. Can we divert this container to another group and get another load for Veterans of Chornobyl, which will suit them better? Please, let me know. Thanks, T”
Communications from Ivan
“Greetings, brother John! I’m praying to the Lord for your speedy recovery. I’m thankful that you care for us and the Church so much. Our sister Valentina’s living conditions are very good. We take care of her. She has heating and light. Terry, her son-in-law, is coming on December 3 to take her to the States. I got all paperwork done and translated in to English for Valentina.
There are many displaced people here. Two women from Bakhmut came and started attending. They need many things and are asking for a washing machine. Sveta and I decided to give them the one we had in the burnt apartment. Fire did not destroy it.
At this cold season we do not have enough money to help displaced who ask us for help and the majority are Christians. Does the Church have any funds for that? We need one-time support for this coming winter. A lot of people from the East come here every day. There are some that do not even have winter clothes.
Besides, the Regional Military Admin has asked us to help the military, who guard us here. They need insulated underclothes and rain cloaks and body armors such as you sent before. This will help our dealing with them as they help us a lot as well as the members of the Church. Besides, it is beneficial to our standing with the community showing that we as Christians are not indifferent to their problems. Now our part in the life and work of the community brings forth good fruit.
The military is 90% sure that Belarus will get involved when bad weather comes. Please, pray for the Lord to help us secure His Church and be of help. I cannot say much in a letter but the situation is very bad.
I know, brother, that your plate is full and we try to do all we can. But the war has exhausted people both physically and morally. Crimes have become more frequent and with power off for long periods of time looting might begin. Men of the congregation want to take turns guarding the church building. Video surveillance is not working without WiFi so we need physical presence. Love you and thank God for the unity and understanding. Ivan”
Ivan Skoleba
Another note from Ivan…
“Dear brothers and sisters, I hope you are feeling better. The Lord loves you, many people are praying thanksgiving for your concern. You do so many good things. Even non-believers who live in a house where we repaired the roof. They thank the Church for help, they thank God very much for the fact that they can now live in a dry room and not be afraid of rain.
My brothers and I are currently planning some activities for the service of the Church in Ugorniki and other places.
Now we have a big problem with the bus. Before war the trolley stop was to be completed to our building but war halted all plans. We have been renting bus to take members but it is very expensive to rent a bus and a driver. I found a good bus for $19,700 and it is in good condition. Could you help us purchase it? We really need a bus now. It will be registered in the name of the Church and insured as I said before.
Also, now we have big problems with electricity. It is turned off very often and for 3-4 hours. This makes it impossible for heating. Although we burn wood, electrical devices are needed to work to regulate combustion and pump water. We need a generator (24kw) that can maintain the operation during blackouts. Regarding the generator…If you let us use the money wired to the benevolent fund, we can purchase it in Ivano-Frankivsk.
Volodya Didukh has already purchased one for the congregation in Lysets. This is also a problem for us now, as the people who live with us and ask for resettlement from the east need a place that has constant heat.
This winter will be hard for us if there will be severe cold as usual. We have now had first snow, it has melted in the city, but there is a lot of precipitation in the mountains.
We continue having air alarms every day. Electric transformers were destroyed by Russian rockets, which is why there are such interruptions with electricity. We live in such a time that you do not know what will happen tomorrow. All is uncertain. We thank God for every day we live. May the Lord be merciful to us all. Convey our greetings to everyone. I pray for you and love you, your brother in Christ.”
Ivan Skoleba
Distribution of the first shipments of soup broth…
HI! I know you’ve gotten these as well but wanted to make sure you have the list of places they are sending broth to and where pics belong.
Here’s what the General has:
Unloading on Nov 9, 2022 – first 4 pics
Pics 8, 9, 10 – 120 boxes, that is 1 pallet – to Odesa, Military Unit # A0447
Pics 5, 6, 7 – 450 boxes, that is 3 pallets, went to Hostomel
Pics 11-15 – 792 boxes, that is 5 pallets, went to Hust
Besides, the aid was given to the Territorial Defense in Lviv “Lviv Lions” – 125 boxes (no pics).
Tanya
Charita’s first container loading in New Jersey!
“😊 I just wanted to tell you how proud I am today. Today I managed a loading out of NJ with medical supplies. With only 4 volunteers, we loaded one of 4 medical containers😊
Best Regards, Charita”
Thank you letters received…
Nadvirna-City-Hospital Ovruch-City-Hospital
Continuing praying for the Lord to bless our efforts in sending urgently needed relief to those suffering in Ukraine.
If you would like to donate to help our efforts continue please go to the Dalraida Church of Christ link and give generously: https://www.dalraida.org/helpukraine/
John L. Kachelman, Jr Montgomery, AL
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