Photo: This photo was supplied by a person meeting me to report on our distributions. It is the ruins of a 120-apartment complex destroyed by Russian missiles.
The second part of this trip was planned for visiting various locations of distribution. Unfortunately, increased actions have modified those plans. I have been traveling to meet with various individuals who meet me and bring reports, photos, and news about a number of locations where we have assisted.
The situation for the citizens looks bleak. In many of the cities and towns where Russia missiles, air strikes and artillery have targeted, the infrastructure is greatly damaged. This deliberate act was designed to inflict the most intense suffering possible. Now hundreds of thousands are left without heat as the harsh winter soon arrives. Everyone is asking for generators and other supplies that can help them survive the cold.
I have seen photos of the large apartment buildings that were destroyed. One showed a 60-family apartment building ruined. There were 6 of these buildings in the area. So, 360 family units with 4+ members. Another showed me a complex of apartment buildings that had 120 apartment and all were razed cruelly as the harsh winter was expected.
Food is also being requested. As we first began shipments we focused on available food. Thus far we have shipped 20+ containers of food. Some of the food we have shipped are enriched rice meals. These have been served in a mobile kitchen that goes out into stricken towns and offers a hot meal. This mobile kitchen was supplied by a group in Holland. Here are photos of the mobile kitchen that has been serving our rice meals.
We are still being offered food and recently Charita was offered 40-60 containers of energy/protein bars and all we have to pay is shipping from Baltimore, MD Port to Poland and then transport into Ukraine. While this is an amazing offer, we still have to pay shipping from Baltimore Ports and then delivery into Ukraine from Poland.
However, in the past day’s visits I have been informed that another option for providing food exists. On Monday I met with “Nikita.” I met him in Warsaw and ever since he has been a good source in assisting security, distribution and container deliveries. He is currently working with the International Human Rights Agency.
Nikita’s team is documenting war crimes and identifying locations of greatest social needs. Nikita says the greatest needs in the locations where he works is food. He asked for MREs. We have shipped some MREs in containers. These were donated through the contacts of Kathy Cadden. But the amount needed far surpasses the amounts donated. Nikita, working with a group out of Switzerland, found a group that will manufacture MREs in Ukraine. They began operations in Dnipro but had to relocate to Vinnytsia. He gave me a sample bag of these. The package contains three meals—breakfast, lunch and supper. The meals are nutritionally balanced. The entire cost of these three meals a day was a mere $8.00! These were summer meals so no heating source was provided. The winter meals need a heating source and that will increase the cost some.
At another meeting on Thursday I discussed the need for food and was shown family meal packets that are prepared as the MREs. I tasted the rice & chicken casserole and the cherries & chocolate. It was delicious and it was not even warmed up.
The fact is clear—these packaged meals can be bought cheaper than it takes to pay shipping for a container load. In fact, we will supply more food in we spend the amount of money it takes to ship a container. Given the headaches and hassles of shipping and the continuing increasing cost of transportation, it seems the best stewardship is to purchase these meals in Ukraine. Plus, the food will be delivered much quicker and is “comfort food” common to Ukrainian tastes.
One of the saddest comments I heard from a lady who had been in a bomb shelter for weeks, “When we came out, we did not know anything. We did not know if Ukraine still existed. We did not know who had been killed or who was alive. We did not know if our homes were standing of if they we a pile of stones. We had no communication. We knew nothing and knowing nothing was worse than anything.”
In visiting with Nikita, he said our Family Buckets are amazing. He provided a photo of him holding one of the Family Buckets in front of the Western Sector panel.
From Gif…
I spent the day traveling with Ivan to Zelena where we met with Perry and Inna to spend time with Bogdan and Galena. Let me just say that Perry, Beto, and Inna have done wonders up there and to see how far those two have come since we first came in 2019 is amazing; they’ve always been gracious hosts, but today they just seemed so comfortable and so much more like family, and I think we can mostly attribute that to the relationships that have been built over the last couple of weeks. At lunch, Bogdan asked me and Perry to explain Mark 7:10–12 and we were able to have a good discussion regarding pure hearts and motives, as well as personal responsibility for sin. Their growth and desire to have these conversations is overwhelmingly positive and encouraging.
From Perry…
Peter came again today, and we sat and talked and this time a bit about God’s word, not much but an Ice breaker. A young lady Lesya walked 3 miles to bring pickled mushrooms for Peter. He gave a jar to Inna. We served refreshments and had a lovely visit. Lesya was born, raised, and married in the village. Following a 1½hr visit Lesya walked the 3 mile back to her home and Inna and I went to Bogdan’s and Galena’s. With every visit we eat, enjoy our talks that always leads to a wonderful bible study. We arrived home earlier today at 6:30pm. I truly believe as we meet more people from the village and greet the ones we pass by with a smile and wave along with building a strong bond with Bogdan, Galena Peter, and Tanya the inroad to spreading God’s true message will slowly grow. Bogdan and Galena are so well respected in the village that their influence will certainly be a great asset to the spreading of the gospel. Because of the work Ivan is continually doing in the village will also be a benefit.
Your servant in Christ
Perry
From Beto…
MrJohn! I am on my way back from Kyiv… been in the border for 3 hours …Greetings from the border…no nice experience, but it is what it is! Been here for some three hours and it probably will be three more! But, all is well thanks to God. Good chance to share the Gospel … I am looking for our reservation Number with LOT airlines… Do you happen to know MY Reservation Number or my ticket number with LOT airlines? if you happen to have it I will appreciate it! I am going to try to make a change in the flight and return tomorrow or Saturday to Nashville
Always grateful! Beto
The next few days continue to be in meetings and visiting with those from various points of distribution. We have two containers arriving and these will be trucked into Ukraine where there is a ready group of volunteers to unload and distribute.
Continue praying for our efforts,
John L Kachelman Jr Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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