Update–July 4, 2023

Photo: A Bible class being taught in the village of Zelena

This newsletter update was designed to be posted several days ago, but was hindered. I am currently “on the road” and will be at the Church of Christ, the Rivergate congregation this coming Sunday (09 July) to give a report on the mission efforts. During this past week’s travels, I received a number of reports from Ukraine and selected ones are below. As you read these I hope you realize the amazing good that is being done and how the Lord is using, even our smallest efforts to accomplish incredible results! Read the below and let these words strengthen your resolve to be bold in your Christianity! How can you continue to assist? Refuse complacency. There is never a time for timidity!

Zaporozhe, Ukraine

Here is communication from a group of friends that have joined me in our work for over 15 years. They are “The Veterans of Chernobyl.” They were the very first boots on the ground when the reactor melted down. They have consistently assisted our efforts. Their loyalty is a solid bond! Read their comments and be thankful for their good partnership…

Dear John! First of all, we want to express our gratitude to Churches of Christ, who first supported us in difficult times, when war came to our land. We will never forget this, as well as our people who received such necessary help thanks to you.

We have seen a lot during this time.

We saw the tears of strong men who had lost everything, the despair of women and the frightened eyes of small children. But against this background, the touching moments when we see smiles are especially memorable. The smile of parents watching gifts of their daughter’s doll or son’s car rejoice.

We saw the smile of a grandmother who is happy that she will now have her OWN cup, because there are only 3 of them in a hostel for 20 people.

We saw the smile of a woman who is used to being a housewife, but at the moment she didn’t even have forks, so she got them.

We saw the smile of a teenage girl who took out a letter from an American boy from a bucket and is already rushing home to write a reply.

You provided us with invaluable help, not only in the form of material things, but also moral support. People still remember the wonderful toiletry kits they received. This is, without a doubt, the best option for assistance in this sector during the entire war.

So far, we have done a tremendous amount of work. In addition to helping local victims and internally displaced persons in Zaporizhzhia, we pay maximum attention to residents of small towns and villages located in close proximity to the front line and surviving under shelling. These are Orihiv, Gulyaipole, Preobrazhenka, Steptohirsk and others. We pay special attention to the elderly and people with disabilities.

Now, after the Kakhovka reservoir ceased to exist (because Russia destroyed the dam), we must make certain adjustments to our activities and include in the work plan the communities suffering from the lack of water. We are currently collecting funds for the purchase of water, hygiene products and products that do not require cooking for the residents of these settlements. If you have the opportunity to help in this officially to the bank account—we will be very grateful. We report for every cent, report for every package and compile distribution letters.

The counteroffensive in our region has contributed to a very large increase in the number of the wounded in our hospitals (most are civilians). Arrangement of additional beds requires mattresses and bed linen. There is a great need for anti-burn agents (in particular, based on panthenol).

This is all very necessary and we will be very grateful if you help us get at least something from this list.

With best wishes and sincerest hopes.

Migulya Evgen, director of the Charitable Foundation “Veterans of Chernobyl”

From Ivan Skoleba

The “workload” that has fallen upon Ivan since the Russian invasion has been unbelievable. Shipments, clearing financial recordings, distribution, increased expenses in every facet of his work, and the list could go on and on. Ivan goes to bed late and awakens each day to find that his must-do list has only increased. Read his report below and be thankful for the great good that is being accomplished…

I greet you, our dear brothers and sisters in the Lord. We have lived through another month with God and your prayers. Despite all air raids and fears, we persevere in preaching of the Gospel and in good deeds reflecting the love of the Lord to the people. The disaster resulted from the destruction of the Kakhovka dam has brought about deadly consequences for people. We collect food, clothes, shoes and other things to help the victims survive and get ready for cold weather.

Ivan

Southerners have come to our city as well and we help find lodging for them in Ugornyky and Tysmenytsia. These are the towns closest to our church building. John Kachelman told us that the Church had collected and shipped a container for Ivano-Frankivsk.

BIG THANKS for your work, funds and prayers. These have helped us survive this horrible war and have caused us to move to help others as well. It is so good to have Churches of Christ help and support Ukrainians at such trying times. These things are so encouraging to us.

The Church here assembles according to the schedule: from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, and from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. We also teach Bible classes in Zelena, encouraging the home church there. Bogdan, Galyna and their son Peter study the Bible and thank God for the changes that have taken place in their family. Tanya, their daughter-in-law, is now explaining salvation for her parents and the rest of the family.

Ivan

Sveta and I took a group to a conference in Lviv. My wife and I stayed there 2 days and we liked it there. However, unfortunately, there is a lot of work in the Church and my wife and I could not stay longer. We met a lot of Christians from all over Ukraine. It was nice to see old friends and their children who have become Christians as well. Thank God for salvation that we have that gives us courage and strength in assemblies!

Ivan

Many people in the villages and towns where we have distributed humanitarian aid, look at the Church of Christ with more friendliness and there is no more such horrible aggression as we faced even two years ago. This is the way the Lord changes the world—His Word is so powerful.

It is so good to hear the words of gratitude from people outside of the Lord’s Church, and namely, the military doctors that received body armors and tourniquets from John. Brother Perry won the heart of Andriy, one of the troops officers, and the latter gave him a uniform coat. Andriy asked many questions about our faith and about differences between us and the Orthodox church. I talked with him for over two hours. Lord works in wonderful ways!

Also, everybody sends love to brother Gif for his great Bible lessons. Especially thankful are the students from the Mathematical College for the English classes and the time they enjoyed with a young couple from America – Jared and Whitney Kelly.

You are amazing people! We love you and very much appreciate your support and prayers at this horrible time.

In July, we plan to move completely to the new church building. We are working hard to pitch the front yard with paving stone and make paths. We continue working and pushing hard to finish all necessary work on the front yard of the church property. At this point we are putting in a rainwater drain and preparing the area for cobbled stone. We also continue working on the interior on the building. We have already tiled the floor in the office. We still have to purchase door for the office, install lights and fire alarm. Besides we need to dig a cistern outside for fire water reserve storage; separate church’s courtyard from utility zone; put in paving stone. When all that is done, we will do paperwork necessary for occupancy.  It has been pouring down this week, which has slowed down the work some. But we move into the building and do work inside when it rains. Thank you so much for financial support of construction as this is very important to our ministry.

Ivan

Big thanks to you, dear brothers and sisters, for your support and prayers on behalf of Ukrainians. Lord does so much good through you. BIG THANKS to you! May God protect you and help you always.

Ivan and Svetlana

From Ruslan Skoleba

Greetings, brothers and sisters! I thank God for this opportunity to communicate with you. Things here are about the same—construction, church work and humanitarian aid distribution. We thank God as He makes it possible for us to continue working in these areas. Big thanks to everybody for your support and concern for us. May God continue blessing you. Sincerely yours,

Ruslan

From Dr. Denys Volynskyi

Denys Volynski has partnered with us on a number of projects. He is a critical component in the medical training seminars that Drs Gary Jerkins, Ron Swang and John Durham have coordinated in Ivano-Frankivsk. He is with the hospital in village Tysmenytsia which is next to the Ivano-Frankivsk Church building. We have arranged for a number of medical shipments to go into Ukraine under the supervision of Dr Denys. During the war he rotates in medical surgeries on the frontline, trains triage sessions, and sorts and delivers urgently needed medical supplies for the war-torn areas. He is a trusted friend! He sends his greetings to the USA on our Independence Day…

Dear Dr. Gary, John Durham, Dr. Chris, John Kachelman, Ron Swang, John Durham and all HMI-USA family!

On this joyous day of Independence, I wanted to take a moment to send you my heartfelt congratulations as you celebrate the cherished values and spirit that define the United States of America. Today, we honor the strength, resilience, and unwavering commitment to freedom that has guided your nation for centuries.

I would also like to express my deepest gratitude for your incredible support for Ukraine. Your solidarity and assistance have been invaluable, and we are truly grateful for the unwavering friendship between our two nations. Your commitment to our sovereignty and democratic aspirations has not gone unnoticed, and we stand united in our pursuit of a better and brighter future.

As we fight for our own independence, it serves as a reminder of the shared struggles and triumphs that bind us together. Your support has bolstered our resolve, inspired our people, and given us hope for a brighter future. We are grateful for your unwavering dedication to promoting peace, justice, and freedom across the globe.

On this special day, I extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. May the spirit of independence continue to guide and inspire both our nations. Together, let us strive for a world where liberty and justice prevail, and where all people can live in peace and prosperity.

Thank you once again for your remarkable support for Ukraine, and may this Independence Day be a joyous occasion filled with love, unity, and celebration. With sincere appreciation,

Denys

From Tetiana Zozulina

Since the morning of the invasion, Tanya was evacuated to Wroclaw, Poland. From there she has been constantly coordinating logistics, communications and financials for our efforts. She is really the “hub” of our works within Ukraine! Without her tireless efforts all would fall apart! While in Wroclaw she has found a group that makes the camouflaged netting that is critical to the military on the field. Without these nets the drones would easily target Ukrainian forces. She sends this note and photos of the volunteers working in this project…

Hi John! Here’s a pic of the net that they have on the display at the net-making place I found in Wroclaw. I’d meant to do something like this for a long time. A new friend here in Wroclaw told me about the place and I went there 2 weeks ago. The work that’s being done there is amazing. People just come in, work as long as they can and go and then others come and do the same so there’s always someone there. And they always can use more. The technique used is a little different from what I saw before (there are different ones). Here you weave the straps of material into the net, and you do it so that every knot is covered, and the strap is fastened around knots. It reminds me of counted xstitch or filet (drawn thread) work. I enjoy it very much and at times it’s a little challenge because there are several people working on one net at different times using different colors and you never know what you’ll have to deal with. 🙂It’s so wonderful to see people come and work. Those that cannot weave (for different reasons) can cut the fabric and do other things. We have one older lady who cannot physically do any weaving so she cuts the thread, makes sure all the supplies are there and just stays around talking, encouraging, offering tea/coffee. I haven’t met all of the people and don’t know if I’ll ever meet everybody but those I’ve met so far are wonderful patriots on Ukraine.  I’m looking forward to going there again. I’m so glad I’ve finally found the place!!! 

The net with the trident of Ukraine is not for military as it would serve as pinpoint target!

Tanya

This update has been lengthy but I believe it helps us to understand the great good being accomplished by our efforts thousands of miles away. These reports also highlight how urgent it is for us to continue our good works in sending relief to those devastated by evil.

Please continue to assist in every possible way—prayers, donations of money, personal involvement, collection of Family buckets and Hygiene Bags!

John L. Kachelman, Jr. Dalraida Church of Christ, Ukraine Missions, P. O. Box 3085 (send mail here), 3740 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery, AL 36109