This most recent update comes at the end of one of the busiest weeks thus far in our operations. We continue coordinating actions on both sides of the Atlantic. There have been some amazing actions that have occurred this week and we hope to be free to report on these in the future.
Stateside Work
Stateside we have these actions that can be reported:
Churches in Arizona continue with their bucket challenge! Brother Glenn Mabley is coordinating the effort and the unity and work of the brethren in that State is encouraging.
In Mississippi, Jerry Max Morgan and Jerry Moore are working with Mississippi’s Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann to collect and ship a number of containers that are being sponsored by the Lieutenant Governor and several of the State’s Senators.
In Tennessee, we continue efforts in Nashville as the brethren there continue bringing in Family Buckets to complete their challenge of 10,000 Family Buckets! This week they loaded the fourth container of buckets and hygiene supplies from the warehouse at Healing Hands and they are prepping for the loading of their fifth container! In Columbia, the brethren are working to prepare for their third container loading!
The Arkansas brethren continue prepping for their loadings of containers not only to Ukraine but to other nations.
In Alabama, we have two loadings scheduled for May 5 & 6 at Dalraida. We were blessed this week with the Alabama Christian Academy Seniors coming and helping us pack hygiene bags, sort clothing and do general clean-up at the Montgomery warehouse. A special thanks to TAYLOR HORN who was the faculty sponsor for the event!
Overseas Work
Overseas this week has been historic in a number of ways, but I am not free to report details at this point.
In summary I am delighted to say it looks like our brethren in Romania have been able to overcome all bureaucratic barriers and are receiving the container that was diverted to Port Constance when Port Odesa was closed. Hopefully this achievement will provide the experience to ship more relief containers into Romania where brethren are working with Refugees.
In Poland, our first sea cargo containers are arriving and Peter, Taras and Andre are clearing Port Customs and scheduling transportation into Ukraine. In Ukraine, efforts continue in distributing commodities that we were able to airlift. This includes food, baby formula, medical items.
In Ukraine, the brethren in Ivano-Frankivsk continue working to distribute relief commodities that they have either had delivered or have purchased. They continue to work on the building to provide lodging for the IDP masses that have fled west from Russian’s evil. In east Ukraine, we continue to send relief supplies and food to locations that are destitute. Thankfully we have developed assets that are able to deliver and distribute to specific locations as we direct.
Because of the generous donations that we have received, we have been able to deliver relief commodities vis European land routs, air cargo, and sea going vessels. I will try to get a more complete financial disclosure on expenses but we have thus far (since early March) been able to schedule, ship and deliver FIFTY-SEVEN shipments! The total value of these shipments is not yet calculated because a good number are booked and not loaded and the value is not possible until the final load inventory. BUT, only one-third of these 57 shipments have been loaded, shipped or delivered and the total value thus far is $13,252,099.96! Several of shipments, not yet factored into this total value, are many times this amount. So, the total value of commodities shipped is going to be astonishing. The total weight shipped thus far is 828,128 pounds—and this is only about one-third of what is in the pipeline!
Bucket Distribution has begun! Just as Russia invaded we had a container that was docking in Gdansk, Poland. This container was cleared and distribution has been made. Here are some photos of the Family Buckets being given to refugees in Poland and to IDPs inside Ukraine.
The controlling factor in our operations is assuring integrity in delivery and distribution in the Name of the Lord and His Church. We are utilizing brethren as much as possible. We should soon begin receiving photos of distribution will share with you.
In the feature photo above, you see a group that met in Montgomery on Thursday. Ilya and Robert drove all night from New York City to be present for this meeting. Then after the meeting they turned around and drove all the way back to NYC! Why? Ilya said he wanted to come and personally thank those who have donated, collected, loaded and shipped so many humanitarian aid containers for Ukraine. He could not come in an official capacity but in a personal and private capacity he said he must come and deliver his message. Ilya has been a very significant asset in our efforts. In meetings with him, and others, while I was in Poland, we mapped out the objectives of our efforts. Thus far all has been realized and the successes have permitted us to develop even further plans.
Ilya and Robert were greeted by a good number of those present to welcome them. Especially we were honored to have several of our public officials come and greet Ilya. Congressman Barry Moore had returned to DC and unable to be present but he was ably represented by Bill Harris (who has adopted two children from Ukraine—a brother and sister. Roy Johnson was present and Roy wears a number of hats—he is an Elder at the Sylacauga Church of Christ, the Executive Director of Lads-2-Leaders, and Clay County Commissioner. Jeff Skaggs eagerly represented Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth. Jeff presented Ilya with a Proclamation from the Lieutenant Governor, commending Ukraine and expressing support as the nation stands against Russian evils in Ukraine. The Lieutenant Governor’s office also presented an Alabama State Flag to Ilya. This flag had flown over the State’s capitol (and had been secured for this presentation by Chip McEwen!). Two of Montgomery’s television stations were present to report on this event. The report from WSFA is at this link below.
https://www.wsfa.com/2022/04/29/ukrainian-family-expresses-gratitude-aid-native-country/
As you read you can see just how crammed pack this week has been. BUT as busy as we were on this side of the Atlantic there were much-more intense and stress packed actions in our overseas operations.
THANK YOU for your generous support that has allowed us to accomplish so much for the Lord. As I survey just this snippet on the calendar, it is “exceedingly abundantly MORE than we could ever ask or think”!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
(Montgomery, AL)
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