Photo: The above photo is a group of elderly retirees. Their association has received assistance from some of the containers we have shipped into Kramatorsk.
Monday was much colder and most of the day was sunny. It was a day crammed full of scheduled appointments. We began early and ended very late, but it was a good day.
The Church of Christ in Kramatorsk has operated an “A, B, C School” for years. This is a program that Vlad and Oksana utilized to each into the community. It is a school that teaches English by using the Bible. It stresses biblical character traits that should translate in every day manners and morality. The school has grown each year and involvement from the community is a constant increase. This year the school has 120 students that come after school. Vald told me that this year they have added a special section for parents that studies the same lessons their children. The congregation has always contacted the parents but it was decided to see if they could get some greater response. At this point they have ten parents from the community studying!
One of our visits was to the Trauma Hospital in Leman (It was formerly called “KrasyLeman” meaning “Red Bay” but with the abolishing of all associations with communism and the USSR it was renamed “Leman”). Prior to Russia’s invasion the trauma hospital had been in Donetsk. When Russia invaded and occupied the majority of the doctors and staff were able to get out and relocate the trauma services. Dr. Omir showed me the hospital and gave me a brief report on all the surgeries that are done there. I went with him on rounds and saw two patients with brain tumors who were to have surgery this week. I saw several others with head traumas, strokes, and other neurological problems. I was shown surgical tapes of spinal surgery and brain surgery. Our consignee in Kramatorsk is Volodya. He and his wife were at a recreational facility last year when the Russian supported “Separatists” lobbed a RPG round toward those in the facility. The round exploded and Volodya’s wife (Marina) was wounded. The round was designed to fragment so as to cause the greatest possible personnel damage. One of the fragments struck Marina in her forehead and pierced her brain. Dr Omir operated on Marina and was able to extract the fragment and today Marina is doing very well. The trauma hospital does amazing work with scant equipment and supplies.
My visits also took me to the retired elderly group that we have visited previously. They treated me to a delicious honey tort, fresh plums, cookies, and other delicious offerings. This group has a special chorus that performed a good Ukrainian song for me.
There were several more activities and plans for Tuesday’s meeting with a military group that has assisted efforts to help those impacted by Russia’s aggression.
The day end with a wonderful meal in Vald and Oksana’s home where good times were shared with Rita, Dima, Kate, Sasha and their SEVEN cats!
Pray for our on-going efforts!
John L. Kachelman, Jr. Kramatorsk, Ukraine
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