Here is a quick update on events in Ukraine this week.
The bombing of the Kherson Dam
The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in the Kherson Oblast has headlined many of this week’s news reports. The destruction of the dam signals the desperation of the Russian forces. This action illustrates the obvious evil that undergirds any carnal conflict. From this malicious event, hundreds of thousands have suffered. Relief actions were immediately started and this weekend the Ivano-Frankivsk congregation is sending a truckload of supplies to this area.
The Church Bus in Ivano-Frankivsk and construction up-date
Years ago, brother Jerry Max Morgan had the opportunity to get the congregation a truck to assist with distribution of benevolent items. That vehicle eventually disintegrated from rust and was determined unsafe for driving when one of the wheels became loose when the bolts sheared off and the loose wheel passed the truck on the road. In moving to the new meeting house there was a need for a vehicle to transport members and help deliver benevolence items. Thankfully some brethren donated funds that were sufficient for the purchase of a used bus. The men of the congregation overhauled the engine, refurbished the interior and painted the Church’s name and contact information on the vehicle. Here is Ivan’s note earlier about this and you can see the finished product after his words.
Greetings, brother John! So far, so good. We have been waiting in line for a long time to have the church’s logo on the bus. They have promised us that this week they’ll put the sign on the bus in both Ukrainian and English. Sorry for the delay with the bus. All businesses work only at 20% of their capacity due to the lack of people. All young men and girls that have medical training are drafted. So, businesses are overloaded with work but don’t have enough workers.
Regarding the final construction required for lawful occupancy, Ivan sent this note:
Construction is going as planned. I am waiting for money to start working on the outside lot around the church building where we are required to put pavement stone. Thank you for prayers and help. May God bless and protect you and your family. Sincerely,
Ivan
A Special Honor
I was honored this week to receive a special gift from Ukraine. It was a sculptured 155mm spent artillery shell. Along with the shell was a letter with these good words:
Dear Mr. John, Public associations, charitable foundations, volunteers and citizens of Ukrainian regions and cities: Lviv, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporishzhia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Rivne, Kharkiv, Kirovograd, Zakarpattia, Cherkasy, Poltava, Dnipro, Chernihiv, and Kyiv thank you and Church of Christ, which under your leadership have been providing vital humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since ancient times to the present day. Since the first days of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine (February 24, 2022) you have responded and significantly increased humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians standing on the front line and defending the independence of the state, temporarily displaced persons, children, the elderly, hospitals and, rehabilitation centers for the wounded. Your spirituality and big heart beat so strongly that all Ukrainians feel its rhythms. I bow to you with greatest respect.
We wish you, Mr. John, long and happy years of life, and may your work and unbreakable spirit bring great benefit to the peoples of the world and our Ukraine for a long time to come.
And we, Ukrainians, will put our heart and soul for our Freedom and Independence, and will daily accelerate the long-awaited day of victory.
Obviously, these good words could not be possible if ONLY I was involved in these efforts. These good words are speaking to EVERYONE that has joined our efforts and continues to do whatever possible to assist the success of our efforts which ultimately bring glory to God!
THANK YOU for all you do to help our efforts continue!
In the next few weeks I am scheduled to give reports on our work at these locations. If you are near to these congregations please come and hear the amazing “report (of) all the things that God has done and how He had opened a door of faith” (Acts 14:27).
July 2—Pleasant View, TN
July 9—Madison, TN (Rivergate)
July 23—Meridianville, AL
And a final photo from the week…
The most famous bird in Ukraine is the white stork. It is Ukraine’s national bird. The stork is an intriguing study in the culture of Ukraine. It is sacred to Ukrainians, a symbol of spring, of babies, and of peace. Storks are believed to be a kind of amulet, and protect your house against evil. As one wrote, “Maybe the storks will bring us peace soon.” The flying bird is the ultimate symbol of freedom. (A disclaimer that some may require–of course myths and sacred amulets have no validity in the Truth of Holy Scripture.)
And so, when Ukrainians see a stork nesting they think that location and the village where it is found, is something special and honored. This week Ivan sent this phot of a stork nesting in the chimney of the Church building…
We continue very busy this week!
Faulkner University is hosting the Church Leaders Connect Seminar, Dalriada’s VBS begins Sunday night, Howell & Mary Ferguson will be here and loading a container for Chimala, Tanzania! The following week we load a container for Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine!
John L. Kachelman, Jr. Ukraine Missions, Dalraida Church of Christ, P. O. Box 3085 (send mail here), Physical address: 3740 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109
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