Photo: This is not to disrespect Chip. Earlier in the day Chip looked at me and said, “Don’t let anyone tell me it is a vacation going on a mission trip with you!” We begin early, run constantly, grab a few winks when possible, collapse into bed, and then, as Jackson Browne sings—we get up and do it all again! In the photo, Ivan had stopped at a roadside market. Inna and Tanya wanted to look at some of the produce. Chip got out to help them out of the church bus and decided it was less energy to just collapse on the seat and stay outside until they returned!
Gif has arrived!
The second trip to Yaremche is now in the books! It was another day of very good visits and good conversations. Some strategic plans are now confirmed and we are excited about the potential for good.
There is an amazing potential that exists in this location. We have invested many years of work and distribution in this area. Andrew and Marina had been working in this area but moved to Canada because of the war and now we are lacking the workers. This reminds me of Matthew 9:36-38, “Seeing the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were…like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
We have been offered a plot of ground for a building (see past reports from years gone by on this point). We have a good standing and reputation. We just need a good biblically sound couple to move there and follow-up on the foundation that has been set. Ivan is very concerned about a lack of follow-up in locating a couple and wants to make sure things do not lose the impact that we have made thus far.
Chip’s Thoughts…
Our usual pattern to start to our day and leaving at 10am for visits and appointments actually worked today! Another visit to Yaremche was the plan! We arrived around 11:30am and met again with Mayor Andrew Ivanovych to discuss health care facility infrastructure needs to serve the burgeoning influx of war casualties and their treatments to rehab physically and mentally as well as similar needs for IDPs.
Following the meeting with the Mayor we shared in another meal with him and of course it was awesome. After lunch I was taken to a clinic I had visited 4 years ago. They had asked with help to get EKG and ultrasound machines. The Lord answered our prayers and efforts 4 years ago and we were able to find and send a multi-function monitor with EKG to them in a container in 2021
I discussed the ultrasound machine need again with the Doctor and have a better understanding and will try again to see if we can find what we need. Please pray and if you wish to provide financial support to help purchase it please contact Dalraida missions.
We ended the day with a quick tour of a clinic the Mayor wanted us to see for ourselves. Perry Baker and I will be returning to receive a proposal of need for us to take back and meet with our Congressman to see how his office could approach the Department of State for possible grant help.
There’s great need and great opportunity in Yaremche for us to put Matthew 25:44-46 into practice and impact the Lord’s church efforts here in Ukraine.
Perry’s Thoughts…
Today Ivan drove us to Yaremche, an hour and half ride, where we met Alexander and Victoria the IDP’S before our meeting with Andrew the Mayor. Our meeting with Andrew was very productive. As a result of today’s meeting, Chip and I will come and work with the IDP’s with humanitarian needs but most importantly to talk about the Church. Following lunch Andrew and his assistant Anastasia took us to a clinic that Dr. Julia oversees.
We then visited a working (115 bed hospital). It is a very old hospital built under the USSR. It desperately needs renovations and the community has donated enough that some rooms are completed. The hospital has one elevator that is over 80 years old that is used in an emergency! (See Inna sitting in the elevator’s operators chair—no one else would go into the elevator). No one wants to use the elevator and they would rather use the stairs! The Church has helped with medical equipment, examination beds, various medical supplies, walkers, wheelchairs, rehab equipment and humanitarian help.
The outreached hands of the Church in Ivano-Frankivsk the members our American brothers and is making an everlasting impact on all the communities within a 75-kilometer radius of Ivano-Frankivsk. May God be praised as the seed of His Word is being planted as each soul is touched with this divine love.
Chip’s note from last Saturday
Well, as I mentioned in earlier thoughts “flexibility” is a key word to know when it comes to a mission trip in a foreign country. A plan for us today was in the works for us tired folks last night but as the day dawned this AM Saturday it changed. Although we didn’t to any direct work we did walk over 5 miles, enjoy sustenance together as a team, found some time to rest with our eyes closed, and then I prepared to present my sermon tomorrow on the parable of the sower on the 1st day, the Lord’s day at Ivano-Frankivsk Church of Christ. Please continue your daily support through your prayers for our safety and effectiveness, as we work hard to encourage, strengthen, and build up our Brother & Sister Soldiers in God’s army here in the Ukraine vineyard, Your fellow soldier, Chip McEwen
Remember our mission in prayers asking God to grant us success and to open doors of opportunity! Colossians 4:2-4
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