The Lord’s Day was bright sunshine and warm temps. The joy of assembling with the Church was immeasurable! It was very good to be back with Vladimir Paziy and spend some quality time discussing various points of concern and mapping out strategies for the next actions. We missed seeing Oxana as she is currently in Ivano-Frankivsk. We will see her soon and then be with her and a group from the Madison (AL) Church of Christ as they come to follow up on actions they have with Svetlana’s State Rehabilitation center.
I appreciated Vlad inviting me to speak and share some of the thoughts that I have planned to teach in Ivano-Frankivsk on “Satan’s strategies for destroying the Church.” It was a good discussion, and I really appreciated the comments and thoughts suggested by class members. I think ALL Christians must understand they are not isolated and stand in solitude regarding the devil’s fiendish attacks.
Upon entering the assembly room, Vlad mentioned that there were visitors. I found out these were three visiting from the USA and Panama. Gabriel and Naomi are traveling visiting the Church in various locations. They had just been to Arusha, Tanzania, and were going to Germany. They are currently located in South Dakota but are contemplating returning to Gabe’s home state of Oklahoma to work and preach for some small congregations that cannot fully support a located worker. Naomi’s father preaches in Panama, and it was a joy to find out that she knows Larry Brady very well. Larry coordinates shipments into Panama, and it is a joy to work with him and his crew!
I also met “Algo,” who works in the Panamanian Embassy. Algo is a friend of Namoi’s. Algo lives in Warsaw, so hopefully Naomi’s introduction of him to the Church will bear fruit. Afterwards, Vlad and Algo exchanged contact information and future follow up is assured.
It was a good day! The Lord’s wisdom in designing His Church is amazing. In this one day, we connected the Church with Tanzania, Germany, Ukraine, Panama, Poland, and the southern and western USA! All came together for the same purpose, worshipped by the same pattern, and were joined as one in the singular beliefs of the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 1:10). Only Heaven can be better!
I continue discussions and planning for the next steps of this mission trip. I am eager to see Gif later today!
As this trip begins, there are many situations, meetings, and confrontations that will take place. The groups involved are varied, but my purpose is resolute. So I ask you to remember my trip in prayer with the Apostle’s request in Ephesians 6:19, “(O)n my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.”
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
