Featured Photo: A meeting at one of the large oncological hospital centers in Ukraine that has received medical supplies shipped in our containers. The war has overwhelmed the patient load to almost twice its capacity!
Our activity is fast and furious! I feel like that short-legged, long-tailed dog that fell into the pond–constant movement and slow progress! Gif’s response, “I’m just having the time of my life!”
Our shipments have moved tons of critically needed commodities into Ukraine. We have shipped food, clothing & shoes, educational furnishings, hospital equipment for rehabilitation, laboratory, maternity, and surgical departments. In addition to these shipments, we have shipped an incredible amount of disposable medical supplies. It is not uncommon for containers with medical disposables to be valued at a half-a-million-dollars! And, the amazing fact to remember is that these are all donated free!
A critical partner in our efforts is C.U.R.E. out of the WestArc Church of Christ in Ft. Smith, AR. C.U.R.E. has contacts throughout the west that make available truckloads of commodities. Without CURE’s assistance we would be greatly lacking!
Gif and I have been visiting and completing after-action assessment on our shipments. In this report you will see two different hospital administrations that asked to meet with us and thank the Churches of Christ for shipping these supplies.
In one of these meetings Administration officials from the Odesa Region traveled to meet with us and discuss future interests. The Odesa Region is unique in a number of ways and is very interested in our partnership. They are especially interested in the “Galaxy Center” which focuses on the therapies for children. This is a critical concern because the war has touched every Ukrainian and especially the children of war need specialized attention. See the slideshow below for photos during this meeting.
The reception of these medical containers is received with great gratitude. I have been told many times that it is only because of our containers that the medical facilities have been able to offer care to those wounded in the war. I remember that in the early months of the war I received an email stating that the nurses had cried when they received packs of gauze!
Great gratitude is overflowing for the benevolence shown by the Lord’s Church. This illustrates Inspiration’s words, “For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry, they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all” (2 Corinthians 9:12-14).
And here is another meeting with medical administration. They discussed with me how they are very careful to received the medical supplies sent by us and divide it to various medical units where it can be used.
In our warehouses (AL & AR) we have four container loads of medical supplies that needs to be shipped but we are lacking funds.
And…this is made possible by your generosity in supporting our efforts in collecting, shipping and funding various actions that are often unseen! THANK YOU!
Pray for our success in seeing and taking advantage of the “open doors” that are before us!
John L. Kachelman, Jr, Ukraine Missions, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL 36109
