Featured Photo: The biblical text comes to life! Historical anecdotes amazingly illustrate the principles of the Bible. In this photo, the Berlin Wall was in its early stages of construction. However, Stalin made sure the “divide” already existed.
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.
The text framing this report: “But now in Christ Jesus, the wall of separation has been torn down!” (Ephesians 2:13-15)
History in the Rearview Mirror
In this report, I want to focus on an event that some overlook. The analytics of this event, applied to the Scriptures, are amazing. Many can tell you where they were when the Berlin Wall came down. It is a historical event similar to Pearl Harbor or 9-11. It is forever etched into our minds’ memories. I recall watching the news reports and thinking of the opportunities just opening for the gospel.
In August 1961, the Soviet Union began manipulating the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) to begin erecting a barrier to prevent East Berliners and other Eastern-bloc citizens from fleeing communism into West Berlin’s freedom. The Wall started small with barbed-wire fencing but, over time, the small barriers became concrete blocks topped with barbed wire.
Finally, it evolved into massive concrete structures dotted with watchtowers overlooking buffer zones known as “death strips.” The Wall stood for 28 years, separating family and friends.
The Soviet Union’s border guards shot anyone attempting to flee communism. Most will recall the seismic demonstrations of 1989 protesting the evils of communism. You recall seeing reports of waves of protest in East Berlin and a flood of defections through neighboring Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
Finally, free passage across the border was allowed on November 9. With free passage, citizens swarmed the wall, pulling parts of it down with hammers and machinery. The hated symbol of separation was destroyed.
Today, pieces of the Wall are found in museums and private homes. These are a memorial of the destruction of separation and the joy of reunification.
The Biblical Principle
“But now in Christ Jesus, the wall of separation has been torn down!” (Ephesians 2:13-15). This significant text reveals God’s great scheme of redemption for uniting mankind. Read the specific context in Ephesians. Read the larger context throughout Scripture validating the fact that Satan erects a “wall” that separates mankind. This separation is man from man (manipulating divisive, arrogant actions and attitudes, Proverbs 18:1). But, most significantly, this separation is man from God (see, among the many verses, Isaiah 59:2).
The Son of God’s mission was to initiate a peace pattern that would reunite man with man and man with God. Hence, he was heralded as “The Prince of Peace.”
Ephesians 2:19-22 beautifully summarizes the results of reunification. “So, then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.”
The Biblical Fulfilment
A congregational fellowship gathering in Ivano-Frankivsk in 2026 provides an unlikely visual of Ephesians 2.
Darren Crowden had come to Ivano-Frankivsk along with Mark & Becky Kelly to work in the State rehabilitation center. This connection with the Ivano-Frankivsk Church of Christ was initiated by our dear brother Vladimir Paziy. Darren is a member of the West Huntsville Church of Christ, and Mark and Becky are members of the Madison, AL Church of Christ. Mark was stationed in West Germany when the Wall fell, and he has a piece of the wall!
Mykola and Allah are IDPs from Zaporozhe. They came to Ivano-Frankivsk and moved into an apartment building where Mykola and Tamara (members of the Church) live. Mykola and Tamara invited Mykola and Allah to worship, and they accepted and have been constant in attendance ever since.
In the fellowship gathering, we were telling who we were and some information about our lives. Darren stated that he is retired from the US Air Force and retired from Civil Service, and now works with the counseling services of the Madison Church of Christ. He mentioned in passing that he had been stationed in West Germany. When it was Mykola and Allah’s time to speak, they mentioned that they had been in the Soviet army and had lived in many nations and mentioned in passing that they had been with the GDR guarding the Wall.
When I asked about the years each was posted in Berlin, it was discovered that they were there during the same time. So, they were basically “enemies.” They were at “war” (albeit a cold war) with one another. They were separated and isolated by The Wall.
And here is the “kicker,” “BUT NOW” that separation no longer exists! The enmity has been neutralized. The bitter divide, nurtured by Satan, has been breached!
The Biblical Plea
Read Ephesians 2:1-4 and discover that the tap root of today’s division, enmity, and bitterness is fueled by Satan. Such results because of arrogant pride. People think they are superior to all. People think their problems are because “others” do not like them.
Recently I heard of one who returned to Ukraine after living in the USA. This one remarked that everyone was against him, the church did not defend him and make it possible for him to stay, the USA government didn’t like him because they kicked him out, his past evils are known, and consequently he has “been delivered to Satan.” Amazingly, he maintains that all the problems in his life are the result of others and he is the victim! Even with incontrovertible facts proving his crimes, he pleads victimization! Tragically, such a person is so hardened by sin that he will never become humble and repent and restore to be free from the walls of separation that he has built! Such mimics Demas (2 Timothy 4:10).
Consider one final photo from the fall of the Berlin Wall… Here is a photo of when the Wall was dismantled, and eastern Berliners met western Berliners.
What a blessing is found in God’s great Scheme of Redemption! “But now in Christ Jesus, the wall of separation has been torn down!” (Ephesians 2:13-15)
Benevolent efforts to feed the hungry…
I have been told that food sources are limiting our abilities to get food to the IDPS, orphans, and families with many children. The need is great, and with the garden season, the vegetable gardens will help. But there is still a need for basic staples, grains, and perishables.
These foods can be bought in-country at an amazing price. For every dollar spent shipping food from the USA, we can purchase FIVE TIMES the amount in-country. When you consider the cost of PURCHASING the food items and then the cost of TRANSPORTING the food items, it is really not economically sound stewardship to ship food when we can purchase it at a much lower cost over here.
Thankfully, we have containers of enriched rice offered free, and the only cost is shipping. But it takes months to travel. These items have a good shelf life and will be critical for the winter.
With Ukraine known as “the bread basket” of Eastern Europe, why not utilize funds to buy the perishables and mainstays in-country?
If we do pay for transportation for food, we can transport from Europe more economically than from the USA.
For example, I have a container of medical equipment and supplies donated by Germany, but I need to pay for transportation. The total cost is $2,500.00! If I move a container like that from the USA, it will be $10,000.00+!
What is the “faithful stewardship” action?
Below are photos of food supplies donated by Germany that are recognized and welcomed in Ukraine as its common foods. Again, the cost of transportation was THOUSANDS of dollars less.
We are asking for donations to purchase food in-country to feed the needy. This plea comes because last week I was asked to help send food into Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Mykolaiv, and unoccupied places in Donetsk. They are grateful for containers of food but say that by our purchasing food in Ukraine, we are able get so much more food that will feed many more people.
If you can donate, be aware that your donation is MULTIPLIED FIVE times as it is spent over here! We will oversee the food purchases and distribution.
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.”
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, P.O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109
