(The above photo shows the congregation outside of our rented facility.)
The Lord’s Day on 06 May 2017 in Ivano-Frankivsk started as a sunny day but late in the afternoon clouds rolled in and temps drastically dropped. But thankfully for the time of the worshipping assembly the morning was beautiful.
As we assembled it was announced that several were out because of illnesses. Yaroslav is not doing well in his health. Also several of our children have pneumonia and Sofia has been stricken with severe headaches. So there were 5-10 who were missing. Our number in attendance was 28.
John Durham continued his study of Ephesians and discussed verses from chapter 4. After John’s lesson I presented a lesson on the Fruit of the Spirit—“Love.” This lesson presented some interesting discoveries of my study on this point that was presented in Waynesboro, TN prior to leaving for Ukraine. The two lessons dove-tailed perfectly. It was as if John and I had deliberately planned the lesson presentations.
The worship was uplifting as all focus was upon the Almighty God; the fellowship was encouraging as we greeted one another as God’s Family gathering together.
Attending the assembly was a man I had never met. I went over and introduced myself to him. I found out he was from Moscow, Russia and was brother in the Lord. He used to live in Syktyvkar, Russia. In that location he cam in contact with members of the Lord’s Church and obeyed the gospel. He told me he was trying to make known that a Bible study series was available. This instantly raised flags but the longer we talked the better I felt. The Bible study series is one that the West Main church of Christ in Tupelo, MS wrote and had translated into Russian. When I heard “West Main” I knew the material was sound. This good congregation has joined with us on several occasions (the last being to help pay portion of the shipping costs of the containers we loaded out of Lexington, KY in January). I sent an email to the West Main brethren telling them of Gennady’s visit and our discussion. In reply I received this good note: “Oh this is great!! If you see him again tell him James Taylor sends greetings.”
Following our worship we shared in a fellowship meal at a nearby café. After our meal John, I, Ivan, Sveta and Tanya went to Masha’s village where her dad was celebrating his birthday. I was able to see Masha’s sister (Ivanka) and her new baby that was born just after I left last fall.
As a follow-up to the news of brother Emmanuel’s tutoring efforts I make the following note…last October Emmanuel and Nana asked Dr. Gary Jerkins and Dr. Ron Swang if they would teach a medical seminar for the students in the Medical Institute. Realizing this was a wonderful opportunity they agreed. Emmanuel went back to his room and the next day brought Gary and Ron a full schedule of topics that would be good to teach! Gary is soon to arrive and begin finalizing the activities of this October event!
Today I received the following note from Gary: “Hey John—I’ll be there in 12 days—looking forward to working out details with Emmanuel and his committee regarding the fall seminar. His group has named the seminar: ‘Becoming a Great Physician -The Christ Factor.’ He is well organized (topics & workshops already selected) so we have some serious logistics to work out the short time I am there—Keep working on the weather—J”
Gary and Ron have been instrumental in advances in Ivano-Frankivsk. SIGNIFICANTLY instrumental! John and I were commenting on the fact that we have an amazing team working for the Lord in coordinated cooperation in Ivano-Frankivsk and each has unique abilities, interests and talents in so many different areas. As you read the monthly newsletters or these trip reports you will find many named who are significant factors in the Lord’s work in Ivano-Frankivsk. Included in this list of team members are those who assist in even the smallest way because even the “small things” added together are used by God to do astonishing successes! Zechariah 4:10, “For who hath despised the day of small things?” (ASV)
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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