Update–January 1, 2024

Photo: Your funds help purchase food ands other critical commodities for those who are suffering great need. Who would have ever thought a huge can of sauerkraut could elicit such a sweet response!

It seems impossible that we are already into 2024! The past year was crammed full with a number of actions and amazing results. I hope to have a year-end summary of 2023 out soon. But before I can compose that summary I have several other pressing issues that need my immediate energy.

In this update are several actions that will help you understand the open doors that God is giving us to seize. These opportunities are amazing in their scope of spreading the good news of Christ to those who are in need.

The opportunities in Ukraine are multiplying but the workers are missing. We are being asked to involve Ukrainian Christians and congregations, but there has been a “depopulation” of experienced and mature Christians as many have gone to the USA and there is no expectation of their return. Consequently, many of the open doors are neglected. I am reminded of Queen Esther who faced a threatening situation and was tempted to remain uninvolved. Mordecai chided her hesitancy, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Mordecai’s point is well-taken—Each is in a position and place that can benefit God’s Cause. They must choose to work with God or against God.

We need Ukrainian brethren to stand up and fill the gaps so the Lord’s Cause can be furthered. As the Hebrew writer said to those brethren facing threatening situations, “But we are not among those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith for the safekeeping of the soul” (Hebrews10:39).

Read below and marvel at the open doors! In the midst of conflict there is an unparallel opportunity. Do not deplete the essential workers! “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38).

Delivery & Unloading of Chase Park’s Container

The container loaded at the Chase Park Church of Christ (Huntsville, AL) has arrived and was unloaded. Distribution has been made and great joy is communicated. We have received photos and video on the distribution. In one video we are told that distribution was in Novoaleksandrivka District in Kherson Region and to parts of the Donetsk Region that are not controlled by Russian occupiers. Many of these locations have not received any assistance and were devastated when Russian destroyed the dam in the Kherson Region.

Faulkner University’s E-Sports Team

A special THANK YOU to Caleb Colquitt who has arranged a special fund raiser for Ukraine Relief. Caleb helped coordinate this with The Faulkner University E-Sports Team in conjunction with the Faulkner University football team. Caleb said, “I would add Rob Gray, Head Coach of the football team as aa significant help in this project.

Gilbert, AZ—Sun Valley Church of Christ

The Sun Valley brethren have just sent us an amazing donation.

“John, we took up a special contribution today and collected enough to have roughly 65 cases drop-shipped once we placed the order. 65 cases will have a total of 780 backpacks, each containing items for winter temps and personal hygiene. On December 10th, 2023 the Elders asked the congregation to support a special contribution to purchase and send Hygiene and Winter Kits to Ukraine. The Elders have agreed to match the contribution dollar-for-dollar up to $5,000 dollars. In Lk 6:38 the first word is GIVE, if there is a single word that summarizes the Christian life, this is it! “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35); the measure of the Christian life is not getting but giving.”
Glenn Mabley, Elder Sun Valley Church of Christ

Rehabilitation Projects

Our involvement in the rehabilitation efforts in Ukraine continue to develop in amazing ways. We have medical and psychiatric professionals that are committed to assisting. We have PTSD groups involved. We have prosthetic manufacturers committed (we have a group entering Ukraine this week with 3-D printers and they will begin work to set up a manufacturing site. We have family therapists who are committed to helping. The significant therapy that results in “wholeness” is the spiritual therapy. The Churches of Christ have been asked to coordinate this amazing opportunity.

One development in the rehab project is, SHARP has donated 225 65” SHARP TVs! These are donated as a part of our project in the rehabilitation programs in Ukraine. We have already loaded a container with these and more are scheduled to load. We hope that this container arrives in Ukraine in mid-January and we will begin distribution. More on this amazing development!

Again, we need Ukrainian brethren who will be involved in this effort…

Note: These TVs are not only going to Ukraine but Jerry Moore and Jerry Morgan has loaded containers for the La Palma Christian Orphanage in El Salvador. They sent a request for visual displays. Two of the TVs will be going there!

Life Boxes

MORE EXCITING NEWS—this is still developing…We are shipping the first load of “life boxes.” These are boxes of food and hygiene supplies for a family of four for a week. They are being packed in Lublin, Poland and transported to our distribution centers in Ukraine. These are dedicated to villages on or near the frontline.

They will be delivered by the military BUT distribution is planned to be by churches. The motto will be “Churches of Christ feed the soul, Life Boxes feed the body” and will be on the box next to the “Life Boxes” logo. Note: THESE WILL ONLY GO TO THE FRONTLINE areas.

I am being asked to give congregations located in the frontline areas and these must have members willing to distribute the boxes. Distribution is to be immediate and NO storage will be permitted—all must be given out immediately! The more they give out, the more they will receive. The challenge I am facing is that many brethren have left Ukraine and the lack of workers is causing a lost opportunity.

I need a list of congregations and POC that I can pass along. I pray we can get congregations involved. The congregations cannot be more than 20 miles away from frontline. And they must be willing to work!

Our brethren will be responsible for receiving a number of the boxes (not the entire shipment); distributing to the needy in villages with priority being families with children; photos and after-action reports to be sent immediately. They can send me the raw data and I’ll do the written narrative.

We need members of the Lord’s Church involved in this action. It is not time to retreat into “comfort” but a time to go forward! It is not time to sit and endlessly talk about plans but it is time to stand up and go forward.

God has always depended on His People to be courageous when confronted. The Hebrew writer claimed, “We are not of those who shrink back.” And who can forget this memorable feat, “David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.” If the Lord’s People leave and fail to seize opportunities, what will be the judgment?