I arrived in Zaporozhye very late Monday evening. I had started the day by getting up at 5:00 a.m. to catch a flight to Borispol. Then I had a bus ride that took me to the central train station. From the train station I had a 6 hour “fast train” ride to Zaporozhye. I finally fell into bed after 11:30 p.m. It was a long and exhausting day!
Alexander met us at the train station and while taking us to the hotel gave a plan of the activities while we are here. The basic plan is that from the time we arise in the morning to late at night every minute is booked with activity.
Tuesday morning dawned with a very cold and brisk wind blowing and the wind’s force seemed to gain strength all day long. It is the kind of wind that smacks you in the face and it feels your skin is frozen!
Our first visit was to a school where a special presentation had been arranged. Through the efforts of the Lord’s Church food and clothing has been distributed to the students and their families. The school had prepared for the holiday “Defenders of Ukraine”—a day that honors those who have and continue to fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty. With the Russian invasion and occupation this holy day has a special significance. I was given the opportunity to address the school gathering.
Among the special events of today is the one that is pictured in the photograph at the top of this post—the gift of a wheelchair to Angela. Angela is a 13 year old young lady that has cerebral palsy. She is unable to walk on her own and needs assistance. Her father and brother came with her to get the wheelchair and her father practically carried Angela.
Another special moment of the day was a visit from Larissa. She came to get a walker for her 96 year old mother. Larissa says that her mom’s eyesight is still good and she is alert but she cannot walk on her own strength. She has been walking by holding onto a chair and pushing it in front of her. We gave a walker to Larissa. As she was leaving Larissa leaned over and gave me a hug and kiss and said, “You and all who work with you are angels!” She asked that I be sure and give a special “thank you” to those who care enough to send items that are so desperately needed.
Another visit brought Anna into the office. She had worked hard to write the story of her situation into English, have it printed and present it to me. Part of her story reads, “In my family there was a difficult situation, as well as in Ukraine difficult situation, my situation grew worse. My niece is the invalid of I Group. She lives with me, my seriously ill mother and my little son. We are live together. My niece, Inga, suffers since childhood from cerebral palsy, moves only in a wheelchair, she cannot take care of herself, paralyzed the right side of her torso…My mother needs treatment and an expensive operation. She cannot walk. She is looking for: dressings, medicines, pain medications…family income is below the subsistence minimum…We have nobody to help us…’ (Anna’s full letter will be in the final trip report.)
Today also brought a visit with Oleksander Dyachenko. This is the first time I have met Alexander but I instantly liked him. He has been going back and forth to the front lines and helping those who are in need. He is getting ready to return and will be taking video and photos to encourage those who have been unable to leave and those who have gone there to prevent any further Russian advances. If I remember correctly, prior to the Russian invasion he was a Colonel in the Militia Border Guard. Through his assistance much needed relief supplies have been transported into areas where danger was choking off all help.
In the photo is a battle flag from Sherokino—this was autographed by those defending the last line before Russian forces invaded and too Mariupol. Alexander sent me an email after the meeting stating that he was posting our photo on Facebook along with this message: “I had a meeting with John Kachelman, Jr. of churches of Christ Ukraine missions. I thank him for great help that his organization has provided. We agreed to continue our partnership to help Ukrainians in their great need to fight evil invaders, to help hospitals and other medical institutions. John is a patriot of Ukraine! This is posted on facebook. With respect, Oleksander Dyachenko.” (Сьогодні зустрілись з меценатом Джоном Кахельманом, мол. Керівником міжнародної організації “Українська місія Міжнародної допомоги Церков Христових”. Подякував йому за величезну допомогу, яку здійснює його організація. Домовились про подальшу співпрацю по допомозі українським військовим, госпіталям, іншим медичним закладам. Джон – патріот України! Це пост на фейсбуці. Дякую. З повагою, О. Дяченко.)
Tomorrow will be another whirlwind day as there are visits and then appearances at various public assemblies. Pics and reports hopefully will be sent out tomorrow night. Then on Thursday morning I will leave early for Dnepropetrovsk!
Special prayer request—I have received emails from Andrew Zhuravlyov and Dennis Sopelnik. With the lull into the fighting in the east, they are going to go back into Gorlovka to take medicines and check on a number of the elderly brethren who could not evacuate. Their trip is imminent and they are asking that as many as possible pray for their safety and for the Christians still living there.
In an email this was communicated: “It’s been a year since my family and I left Gorlovka, which was occupied…the shootings in the ATO area have ceased. We hope that there will be no more bloodshed and that the situation will be resolved via diplomatic negotiations…while staying in peaceful area of Ukraine, I’ve been in touch with Christians in Gorlovka, calling them every day and trying to support them spiritually. They were happy to have such communication. Each time they would ask me to come to Gorlovka even for a short time. Considering the situation and especially the fact that the Church and its leaders are being persecuted, it is still very dangerous. Nevertheless, I decided to go to Gorlovka to visit our brothers and sisters in Christ, to conduct a worship service there, to teach Bible classes, and to be with them. Our sister in Christ Raisa is very ill, and she basically can’t walk. There is a huge problem with medication in Gorlovka; I could bring her the medicine she needs for her treatment…I have already bought train tickets. This trip will be very complicated because I will have to cross the frontline, many block-posts and undergo checking of travel papers and searching of my luggage…My wife and son will wait for my return, staying in Central Ukraine. Now I’m filled with both joy, anticipating the long awaited reunion, and anxiety concerning traveling to a town filled with armed insurgents. I’m urging you to pray for this trip.”
Thank you for your encouragement and support!
Pray for our efforts!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Zaporozhye, Ukraine
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