NOTE: The photos shown in this report (and all other communications) are NOT to be forwarded or published in any way! The environment and censorship requirements mandate that I make this point.
Featured Photo: This is a 20-year-old soldier in rehabilitation in a military hospital. The scars of evil are not only physically visible, but the emotional/psychological traumas are buried deeply inside. As I have been stating in meetings with various Administration and Rada contacts, the Lord’s Church is concerned not only with the physical and emotional, but especially with the spiritual, so a “whole rehabilitation” is accomplished.
Cyber-Attacked!
The last few days have been engaged in a war with the cyber evil! The website has been down and communication has been interrupted. If you sent emails they may not have gotten through. If you are reading this, then we are back online!
The Constant Warfare
The presence of evil is often disguised. The presence of evil in religious personalities and actions is often embraced even though God’s warnings are blunt. The Scriptures state that Satan appears as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), some present themselves as so holy that they become “God” in the eyes of others (2 Thessalonians 2:4), or are so cunning that they manipulate and convince others to believe lies instead of the truth of God (1 Kings 22:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
The presence of evil in secular realms is visible. Sometimes it is too visible! Carnal warfare frames evil’s horrible impact. The destruction, the displacement, the shattering of families, the betrayals, the unnecessary deaths, the politics, the profits from the military industrial complex, the R&D on weaponry and tested on human subjects, the arrogance and justification of selfishness, and many other facets of evil can be highlighted! (Galatians 5:19-21)
Among the most visible examples of evil are those who face catastrophic traumas. The entire nation is traumatized. This presents the Lord’s Church with a great opportunity to demonstrate “the gospel in shoe leather”!
Our efforts continue to build a structure that will open doors for the Church to serve and emulate our Lord’s example (Acts 1:1). There are challenges, obstructions, criticisms, lack of funding, and a long list of other impediments.
The Impact of Outward Benevolence
We are grateful for the brethren who have joined with us in these efforts. We are grateful to those in Ukraine who chose to remain in their nation and not selfishly run away from the opportunities to serve God. This is giving us an incredible opportunity to meet and get to know many community members who happily join us in the unloading, sorting, repackaging, and distribution efforts.
A recent container was delivered, and immediate distribution began. Various parts of that container went to civilian and military hospitals that are past capacity. Other parts went to therapy clinics trying to help the war-wounded. We are also distributing to families, the elderly, and those “families with many children.” Our focus is urging the Church to look “outward” to the needs of others and avoid the temptation to look “inward” at “what WE want.” Of course, this is a worldwide challenge, especially in nations viewed as economic and materialistic centers (think of “Babylon” in the Revelation)!
Approved photos are below—reread the note at the beginning of this report.
Again, 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.”
Hosea 10:12, “Sow for yourselves, with a view to righteousness; Harvest in accordance with kindness.”
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
