Featured Image: The Church of Christ in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine assembly September 26, 2021
It sure was a short night’s sleep after my arrival to Ivano-Frankivsk Saturday! The morning came quickly, but it was wonderful day of fellowship and worship. The assembly’s numbers were down because of seasonal illnesses but there were no COVID infections or those in isolation. Several have continued worshipping by their telephones. Photos of the worshipping assembly and your brothers and sisters in Ivano-Frankivsk are below.
John Durham from Nashville, TN had preceded my arrival and is back in his routine of teaching English in the city’s Institutes. John’s classes have mushroomed and this year he is teaching NINE classes! He is involved in the classes but will be assisting in the Medical Seminar that Dr. Gary Jerkins has planned for the Ivano-Frankivsk Medical Institute later in October.
The weather is wonderful! Autumn’s cooling is so refreshing after a long-hot summer. All week long the forecast is for fantastic temps and little rain.
The impact of jet-lag is still hoovering over me and only those who have endured it can understand its effect upon speech, memory and even basic movement. At times it is like you are a part of the “walking dead!”
As plans were made for tomorrow I was told that it was a religious holiday and all will be closed. I asked what holiday and was told that it is the holy day of “the discovery of the real cross of Christ.” That was a new one for me so I searched it out and found that this is a day celebrated since 327 A.D. “when Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, found the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.” I am unsure exactly where the cross was placed following its discovery. As I ponder this I think it might be among the other artifacts that Judson has in safe-keeping underneath the Metropolitan Public Library (“The Librarian”) and probably secured by Flynn (but that’s just my opinion).
Wednesday has at least one exciting event planned, and I am sure others will be lived as well. Ivan has scheduled me to preach to the Village Zelena. Ivan wants me to discuss how we can all be one and not members of a national Church. He says many conceive of the Church of Christ as an American Church. This ought to be a great opportunity!
Thank you for your prayers and financial support that makes this mission trip possible!
John L Kachelman Jr
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
