Featured Photo: The Life Boxes are being distributed to family units near the frontlines. We have lots of resources to ship into Lublin, Poland that will be packed into these boxes. BUT we need transportation funds to pay for the shipping costs going from the USA into Lublin, Poland!
Gif and Perry report from Ivano-Frankivsk
Gif and Perry continue to settle in the work in Ivano-Frankivsk. The first weeks have been occupied with transitioning all operations, keys, seals, and schedules as Ivan prepares to move to the USA. They have been in constant communication on developments and actions. Here is a summary of their communications.
”Hello there! Everything is smooth so far as I could tell. In today’s worship Kola led singing, Ruslan led prayer, Ivan did the Lord’s Supper, and I preached way too long…Alexander and Victoria from Yaremche came and afterwards asked to talk with us about the future. They stated that they have appreciated the help that has been given for the IDPs and would like for it to continue. I told them we’ll be looking over what Ivan has been doing this week to see what we can do. They did say that all the refugees know that the support comes from the Church and some of them would like to come, there is just no transportation. BUT, there are some who are interested in Bible studies if we can come up there. Neither are Christians, both are refugees, and that said something to me about how seriously they are taking this in a positive way. I’d like to help them if we can, but of course it’s all dependent on the budget. I also think the other issue that will come into play is manpower as many of the more mature have left. We have the Church in Ivano-Frankivsk, but then also there’s Zelena, Lysets, Yaremche…I think we probably need to be focused on what’s closer to home at first before spreading out that far. That being said, I don’t want to leave them alone.
Perry and I worked today planning lessons until he leaves March 5. On Sundays we’ll be going over the biblical Church – who we are, what we do, why we do it, etc. Those lessons will be broken down into other lessons to focus on the fruits of the Spirit, acts of worship, the structure of the Church. For Wednesdays, Perry had a nice five lesson series that he wanted to do that covers the story of the whole Bible which will lead into a Wednesday class I wanted to do for a few weeks on how to study the Bible for yourself. We are feeling a little more settled now! Just got to get into that apartment. Gif”
Later…“We have found a very good apartment and the rent is less than we anticipated. It has a large living room so that will be helpful in which to have private Bible studies. We will be moving on January 31!”
Perry’s thoughts on a worship assembly from January
“It was a good service and well attended. As usual Gif presented a wonderful lesson from James 5. It was good to have Mykola and Tamara back and Mykola lead the song service. Ivan (the IDP) is still in the hospital. Attached is a picture Seveta sent me but not in the picture are the two Andrews, the tall young man, Sveta, Timothy and David and Margret! So, in all 26. Alexander and Victoria from Yaremche were there and met with Gif and I briefly to see if we were going to continue helping the IDP’s. We assured them that after we talk to Ivan about everything we would let them know and also let them know a humanitarian container is on its way. Our plans this week are to try meet with Oleg, Mayor Andrew and Anatolia. Perry”
Another day… “Had supper with Oleg and his family who are just wonderful. His son Alexander (11) and Ivan (7) speak pretty good English and they both do karate with Timothy. Gif talked about Jared and Whitney coming in April and he was excited and will plan for them. It was a wonderful fellowship.”
Life Boxes Update
We continue shipping critical commodities that will be packed into family size boxes in Lublin, Poland. In addition to the dry foods, the boxes will get perishables that are bought in Poland. There are pressing needs for this project. First, there is a critical need for funding to pay for shipping the containers. We have the food supplies but need funds to ship. When the war began we received generous donations to assist with shipping, but as the war drags on the funds have dried to a trickle. The needs for these shipments have not lessened but actually increased. A second need is for donations of personal hygiene supplies, for a family, that can be packed into these boxes. we were purchasing these hygiene supplies in Poland but the costs have increased to where it is better to purchase in the USA and ship in containers. Here are photos of distribution thus far:
THANK YOU to all who are partners in this amazing project! Through your efforts God is receiving praise and glory (2 Corinthians 9:11-14). Listen again to the divine assurance, “you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”
John L Kachelman, Jr Ukraine Missions, Dalraida Church of Christ, P.O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109
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