Trip Report #1 | Leaving for Spring Trip

The itinerary has me departing immediately after the morning worship assembly at the Dalraida Church of Christ. I will fly to Atlanta, Netherlands, Poland, and then travel into Ukraine. John Durham is coming and will be a traveling companion. I am eagerly looking forward to seeing Gif and the good work he continues to do in Ivano-Frankivsk. Tanya has scheduled all aspects of the trip, and I continue receiving requests even as she says our schedule is overflowing. Just last night I received these two messages:

From Lesia at the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Oncology Hospital: “Hello John! Nice to hear from you! We will be happy to invite you in our hospital and to show how it changes thanks to you!!! Do you want to come on Thursday next week?”

From “Col Sam”: “L[et] M[e] K[now] when you’ll be available. I need to go to Poland on 26 April but yes, we really must meet! I’m in Odesa now until at least 16th, maybe until 20th.”

Have you ever wished there were MORE hours in a day and more days in a week? That’s where I am as this trip begins.

I will be posting trip reports and photos as possible. You can subscribe to receive automatic updates or you can go online to read the reports at the website. On the website is a library of reports, updates and news about our efforts. The website is accessed at this link: https://www.kachelman.com/ukraine/blog/

As the trip has been approaching, things have been more than busy. In addition to the daily communications and other necessary actions, we have loaded and unloaded items shipped to Ukraine. The last two containers loaded give you insight to the AMAZING work that is being done in the Lord’s Name and through His Church.

21 March container with food for the children of war: 944 items loaded; 24,720 pounds weight; $393,015.00 total value
11 April medical supplies going to various hospitals: 2,395 items loaded; 15,280 weight; $326,790.00 total value
Amazing Totals of these two containers: 3,339 items shipped; 40,000 pounds weight; $719,805.00 total value! See photos of these loadings below.

NOTE: In a previous post (https://www.kachelman.com/ukraine/blog/2025/04/03/update-april-3-2025-components/) I mentioned the need for some special funding to assist pay for the shipping costs. We have received some but we are still lacking about half of the amount. The urgent need for these items, plus my scheduled departure on this trip argued for us to ship immediately. Please reread that post and help us fund these containers. Send any amount to: Dalraida Church of Christ, Ukraine Missions, P. O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109. Funds can also be wired into the account. If you wish to wire funds, please ask for wiring details.

Please continue praying for our efforts! We continue dealing with some issues that are a constant irritation and that siphon energy and mental focus from the task at hand. But your prayers are a GREAT counter to the Devil’s discouragement!