Photo: Ivan, John, Andrew and Perry
Perry and I visited with Andrew Ivanovych. Andrew is the Mayor of the consolidated Yaremche District. He thus is the administration for 30-40 different settlements in this section of the Carpathian Mountains. I have known Andrew since 2008. He had worked to rebuild bridges and roads that were destroyed by the ’08 Floods in Ukraine and Moldova. Andrew has encouraged us in many ways. It was Andrew that provided the funding for the beginning of the church building’s construction. It was his construction company that dug the foundation and assured that it was stable.
Through Andrew’s assistance we have been able to accomplish a great amount of success in western Ukraine. In the town of Yaremche we have been offered the gift of a building and plot of land for the Church to become an established entity. Before their move to Canada, because of the war, Andrew and Marina were working in Yaremche and had made good progress.
In our recent visit we discussed the needs and the situation of the town. The town has lost a number of young men who were killed in action. The points of military action that took the lives of these men are some of the places that have been publicized and others of little renown. The town is mourning those young men who were killed. Andrew says they are doing all they can to aid the families of those KIA. The town is also assisting their “local boys” by collecting for military gear and needed supplies.
One of the needs is renovating nine hospital rooms for the wounded. Andrew will use his construction company and provide services at almost cost to renovate the hospital rooms. Those who have previously read these reports will recall the success and impact that was made when the Lord’s Church provided funds for renovating rooms in the Maternity Hospital and Dental Clinics.
Previous shipments have paved the way for the gospel’s reception. This continues the positive impact.
Notes from Perry
The other day we traveled to the city of Yaremche to meet with Andrew the mayor. Over the years John, Ivan and the church in Ivano-Frankivsk and the United States have helped and especially during this difficult time of war. Many buckets, medical supplies, humanitarian needs have been distributed to the soldiers, displaced people and the local people. Andrew has given a lot of the city’s resources and financial support to the military. A few years back when David and Will came with John, they met Andrew who was a remarkable host. Andrew took them up the Carpathian Mountain and as John explained gave a banquet fit for a king.
Andrew wanted to have us for a visit which was wonderful discussing many concerns, issues, needs and the projects that the city is doing. Yaremche is a year-round tourist city for skiing, snowboarding, hiking or just to get away. It was a very enjoyable day.
Gif, Jared and Whitney continue to be active and enjoying the trip! More from their perspectives in the next report. I am leaving Lviv later today and will return to Ivano-Frankivsk late tonight.
Continue praying for our efforts! “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way that I ought to proclaim it.” (Colossians 4:2-4)
John L. Kachelman, Jr. Lviv, Ukraine (Dalraida Church of Christ, Ukraine Missions, P. O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109)
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