The Lord’s Day in Kramatorsk was a day beginning with bright sunshine but then by evening the cold clouds had set in and it really looked like snow was about to begin.
The congregation in Kramatorsk is always a welcome haven where your soul can be “refreshed” (as in Philemon’s house—Philemon verse 7). Such was the situation on this Lord’s Day with the brethren. We had about 50 in attendance and the photo at the top was taken at the end of the assembly after a few had already left. The sermon I preached was a survey of Habakkuk’s message encouraging a strong faith when the evils and terrors of earthly life constantly batter and bruise you.
As you walk up to the building where the Church meets you immediately see a large sign announcing that the Church assembles there. This is another indicator of how safe the city of Kramatorsk is. Under the territory controlled by the Separatists there can be no public signs of any religious group except the Russian Orthodox Church. The Separatists have declared this to be a “holy war” for the Russian Orthodox Church and Orthodox priests have been documented as anointing and blessing those going from Russia into Ukraine. But in the “free” areas there is a freedom of religious convictions that permits one to worship as he chooses. The fact that such a large sign can be prominently displayed on a main street is a good sign! Vlad says to all the Americans who have stayed away thinking it was too dangerous—“Come back! All is safe!”
The situation in the Separatist held areas is much different. It is not safe there and going is very difficult. Here is a report from a brother that went into occupied xxxx to check on his aged parents who cannot leave. I have edited details for the safety of those involved because the reports I send to you are read by unfriendly eyes elsewhere.
“According to my plans I should have been back with my family by now…
“It often happens that circumstances make us do the necessary changes in our plans. However, when you are in a town close to the frontline with the military actions going on, such situations are more prone to happen. It happened in my case: I’m still in occupied xxxxx from where I’m writing this report…
“I will tell you some about xxxxx. Many months this town was under heavy shelling. They hit many apartment buildings, educational facilities and other objects of town infrastructure. In the downtown area the town public utility system workers try to keep order on the streets: they fill up the holes from explosions, and they mend the damaged things. Nevertheless, there are many buildings with damaged walls, broken windows missing glass, and people use materials that are handy to cover those holes: thin film, boards, furniture doors, blankets, etc…The situation on the outskirts of town, where shelling was even heavier, reminds me of the scenes from post-apocalyptic movies. I haven’t seen a single house that wasn’t damaged. There traces of explosions. Curtains from the broken windows are flying on the wind. Yet this most depressing picture was highlighted by the eerie fact that there was no person around no matter where you looked…
“I was near the church building captured by the Separatists. The military-looking people were putting metal sheets on the full height of the fence and gates in order to keep what happens there from the eyes of passers-by…I’ve talked to a worker of the city council. The Church of Christ is still banned…
“we still have a hope to get our building back. On April 20, 2016, there will be elections on the Separatists territory. Moreover, these elections should be held according to the Ukrainian laws. Until that time according to the Minsk treaties Separatists government should work on the current situation changing the dictatorship regime into something accepted by our legislative system. That can mean that there will be admissions of religious freedom on this territory with the further recovery of all confiscated property. They promised to inform me about all positive changes in the matter…
“As I have mentioned at the beginning of this report, I couldn’t leave xxxxx on Thursday, October 22. It happened because one block post was letting cars from xxxxx very slowly, only 2-3 cars per hour. Starting with Wednesday, there was a huge queue on the highway; there were more than 3000 cars. Some people had to stay in that line for 2 days, under cold and rainy weather. I have tried to leave on Thursday and Friday, but my attempts were unsuccessful…
“I plan to leave xxxxx on Tuesday. Right now the situation is slightly better, but the line of people who want to leave xxxxx and the cars on the highway is still huge. My wife has read in the news that in order to go faster through the frontline one would have to walk part of the way (about 5 miles). Then one would have to stand for many hours in line that consists of hundreds of people. I hope that God will provide, and I will be able come back home safely.”
The remainder of my time is to be spent in Kyiv. I will be in various meetings discussing our efforts in Ukraine.
Please continue praying for our efforts.
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Kramatorsk, Ukraine
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