Photos above: The top is a group of children with disabilities. They have been tossed to-and-fro, from pillar-to-post. Their security in a normal schedule has crumbled. More of their plight below. The second photo gives you a visual of Ukraine’s flag–a field of yellow grain under a bright blue sky!
Just time for a quick update. I am heading out (again) to report on the amazing work that is being accomplished as we seize the doors of opportunity that the Almighty is opening for us! “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” (Colossians 4:2-3).
Ivan and news of construction
The construction of the Church building is almost finished! The building has been in use on a restricted basis because “occupancy certification” was not possible until certain construction steps had been completed. The war (that Russia started in 2014) definitely impacted the completion and the full-scale aggression has hindered it even more. However, the war has allowed the building to be used as housing for IDPs who are moving to safer locations, a center for distribution of food, personal hygiene supplies, clothing and critically needed medical supplies. Recently it was the point where a large truck was loaded with relief commodities for Kherson following the destruction of the dam by Russia.
We are down to three “final” requirements: (1) Finish the first floor; (2) Excavate, pave the outside area so proper drainage will occur into a holding pond, install a fire hydrant next to the building, install a handicapped entrance ramp, and; (3) Pay the fees for the certificates of construction (electrical, water, sewage, etc.).
The members of the Ivano-Frankivsk congregation have worked hard in this construction and saved at least HALF of the construction costs. Their work is exceptional and impressive. Not only have they invested their blood and sweat into the project, they have contributed from their meager finances to help as well. After certification is approved for the first floor, the Church has said they will finish requirements for the second floor. And, the money saved by paying rent will go to completing the send floor.
Because the congregation could not get a “certificate of occupancy” until all of the construction, they have operated on an emergency approval. This allows a very restricted use of the building. They have had to continue renting a meeting place for worship and other gatherings. But now (see Ivan’s note below) this rental space is being taken from them on July 1. The war has pushed many into the west and Ivano-Frankivsk has mushroomed in population seeking rental places in a very restricted area. Consequently, rental property is non-existent. The rental property that is available is increasing in price. So, the rental property that the Church is presently using is bringing a small income when it could bring in 2-3 times more. Thus, the eviction notices as of July 1.
The good news is that Providence has delayed this eviction until occupancy at the Church building is possible. We are down to the final few things that can be completed easily within the remaining days of June!
The plea—one final plea for funds must be sounded. In order to complete the final three requirements above, we need $20,300.00. Of this amount, Perry Baker has received a promise of $5,000.00 from a congregation in Georgia. So, we are lacking only $15,300.00!
Please help us to meet this need quickly. Thanks to the banking wire services we can get funds to Ivan in a day!
Once full occupancy is certified this building will be utilized on a daily basis—not only for worship and Bible study, but community outreach classes are designed to be taught regarding critical healthcare procedures, language classes, children’s classes, community meetings, etc.
Please consider giving ONE LAST TIME to help us finish the certification requirements so when the Church is evicted it will have their own place to gather, worship, work and fellowship!
Please help!
Greetings, brother John! Dear brethren, we have started working on the plot around the church building. At this point we are hauling construction materials, sand, gravel to put cobbled stone in. The interior work on the first floor is almost finished, we still need to install doors in the rooms and tiles and railings on the stairs. We would like to ask you to support us with prayers and funds. We have been asked to leave the rented place in July. Thank you. We keep all of you in our prayers.
Ivan Skoleba
General Nicholi Ivanovych…President of Vymple & Myth
The Russian invasion and devastation are beyond description; it simply cannot be communicated in words and photos fail to give an accurate portrayal. Last week I received the following email from a trusted friend and one with whom we are working. It describes the plight of children who are disabled from a number of genetic, mental and physical reasons. We are doing all we can to assist. Even with all of our energies and abilities, the tasks seem “a mountain too high to climb.” The cooperation and fellowship of Christians provide an amazing resource, but even then, the climb is steep. We will continue because “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27). This Truth has been validated over and over in our mission efforts!
Municipal institution “Nikolaev special school Number Two 2 for children with mental retardation” of the “Nikolaev Regional Council.” In this school/home are 28 children are “orphans of the sun” (this is an expression for Down Syndrome). The children are in these divisions:
7-10 years old—8 students.
11-13 years old—8 students
14-17 years old—12 students
In the school there are 141 children in total, and 28 of them are true orphans having lost parents to the war’s evil. Assisting these special children are 30 teachers, educators and professionals dedicated to these children.
Most of the children are from Kherson. When the dam was destroyed they were transported to Nikolaev. But in Nikolaev there was constant shelling targeting such homes and hospitals so the decision was united to take them all together from the shelling in Nikolaev until September 1. So, Kherson is flooded and Nikolaev is constantly under shooting, we decided to take the children to the children’s base in Chernivtsi!
PS (From TZ)
He is talking here about the base in Chernivtsi that some of you visited previously. Got this from him today. Below are some pics from that place. You cannot really see all of the children but there is a total of 141 with various disabilities who are now nomads being moved from here to there with no stability. The regular pattern of life that these children need very much is impossible for them. Among the heartbreaks of this war, this situation with children of disabilities has to be among the greatest sorrows.
Vladimir Paziy’s Update from April and May
Kramatorsk congregation with 95% people out of the town, scattered all over Ukraine, Europe, and the USA, but the congregation still has strong bonds calling, messaging each other, having group chats with men praying every day at the same time, 9:00 p.m. sharp. Whoever wants to join to lead a prayer or say any short word of wisdom is welcomed. You can be in and out anytime you want. This is where Kramatorsk men are right now praying and dealing with church issues, prayers, help.
Alexander Seliverstov and Alexey Ladika visit Kramatorsk from time to time so they conduct Sunday service any possible opportunity while in town. Taras and Denis one time a month bring humanitarian help to our church building where the distribution takes place. You can see Roman standing with Taras at the main door of our church facility. Roman is a Christian. We went to the same high school. Then Taras had several incidents, his dad was killed in the car accident, his mom started to drink a lot after that and eventually got sick and passed away. His younger brother hanged himself. Roman started to drink a lot. But he was time to time coming to visit me as a friend to the church building and one day he became a Christian. He is a very good man, but his previous choices led to some consequences he is struggling with now.
Taras is in the Ukrainian Army. Got wounded and going through rehab now. He is a resilient and courageous man on both wars—with life’s tumults and against Putin aggression. My petition to you, please mention this Christian man in your prayers. His name is Roman Kaydan. Thank you.
Roman and Taras, Kramatorsk. Official opening of the rehabilitation center. April – May Report. Paziy family. Our family makes short trips from time to time to Lviv where we can meet with our folks.
The Rehabilitation center from Kramatorsk is the one I was aware of because I was involved in the work with Valery Ivanovich Karpenko. It has moved to Ivano-Frankivsk. Svetlan Fomina is the head of this work. In May they officially opened their doors in Ivano-Frankivsk. They were given, by local officials, an old facility to be reconstructed for their specific needs. Eight months later the building is ready and is going to the direction where it can be used to its full capacity. Right now, it is functional, people, including military men and women are getting their help there.
I mentioned before about John Kachelman who sent equipment to the center. George Spurlock during his last visit supplied the center’s kitchen with groceries. They serve meals for those who come to get rehab help from different places and stay at the center for the period they need. Our plan to help people in the Rehab Center. In July three American psychologists will visit the center and provide professional help. George Spurlock and Jeff Abrams are involved in this.
For more than 14 months we have been staying in Ivano-Frankivsk. We are living in our sister’s apartment along with another family from Kramatorsk. This sister is originally from Donetsk, had moved to Frankivsk in 2014 as a refuge due to the special operation Russia against Ukraine. Her name is Tatyana Zozulina and right now she is staying in Poland. She assured us that we can stay at this apartment as long as we need to. The flat is equipped with everything that you need for everyday life. We are allowed to use it all. We don’t pay any rent, only maintenance. Double thanks to Tanya for that. It saves us a lot, because rent in Ivano-Frankivsk is very high $300 -$400 per one bedroom flat. But we have two bedrooms flat. It is also a double benefit for us because we continue to pay the maintenance of our house in Kramatorsk. People who are living there right now and taking care of everything we left behind are also paying for their apartment. So, they cannot afford to pay and for our house too.
Vitaly, one of the patients of rehab center after being wounded in the war.
Denis Sopelnik updates on the Bible Institute
How are you, brothers and sisters? In spite of all the hardships that our country is facing we have been able to finish this academic year. This year has been full of trials and tribulations. We had to relocate our Bible Institute to the city of Chernivtsi, this was and still is the safest place in our country. During this year I had to commute back and forth from Bila Tserkva to Chernivtsi and supervise the academic process. Every time it took me approximately eight hours to travel one way. I couldn’t relax because of the constant air raid sirens, missile attacks on our cities, black-outs and power cuts, lack of heating and of water. But God is above all of our problems and He has kept us alive and well. As l look back, I can see how God has revealed to us our strengths and weaknesses. God has shown us where we should labor. This year three students graduated. One of them (Alexander) has already started work as a youth minister in the church in Chernivtsi. He has been preparing himself for this type of work during the last two years. Two other students (Anton and Timothy) are helping with the church ministry in the city of Kiev. That congregation doesn’t have a full-time minister, and the local brethren are taking turns doing preaching and teaching. Over there, these graduate students are learning how to preach, prepare and conduct summer Christian camps. They work mainly with the youth and invite others to participate in youth group meetings. The new school year will start in September. Now is the practice time; therefore, they are gaining experience in the labor of the church. Last week we drove to Kramatorsk (which is located twenty miles from the frontlines) and delivered humanitarian aid, both to the local Christians and visitors who attend the Sunday worship services. This time we distributed humanitarian aid to 50 persons. Before we arrive, they get registered and then they look forward to our visits. Of course, there are many more people who are in dire need but it would require much more resources. Therefore, we help, first of all, those who are in the greatest need. There is a group of refugees in Bila Tserkva, roughly 20 persons, who regularly attend our worship services on Sundays and Wednesdays. They are studying the Scriptures, asking questions, and we are trying to help them to adjust to a new life in the city. There are also people who show up only once in a while but we still hope that they would commit to become regular visitors and maybe, later on, become members of the local Lord’s church. We have been conducting this type of work during the last year and only now we can see the fruit of our efforts. Naturally, some people make an appearance only to receive humanitarian aid but we’re praying that God will touch their hearts through our service. We are very grateful for the assistance and for the prayers of the brethren who are supporting our ministry and helping us in our work. May the Lord keep each one of you. Your brother Dennis.
Thank you for your continuing prayers, financial support and encouraging words! Amazing events are resulting in amazing opportunities for the Lord! John L. Kachelman, Jr., Ukraine Missions, Dalraida Church of Christ, P. O. Box 3085 (send mail here), 3740 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109
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