The intrinsic value of humanity is found in neither the brevity nor the longevity, but it is in the spark of “life.” The Divine has endowed mankind with a value unique to all creation. Genesis 1:26-27: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness’…So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Tragically, this “honor” is lacking throughout civilization’s history. Human life is not honored. The value of human life is ignored. Man’s selfishness erases Creation’s crowning event.
Christians view human life through the lens of God’s commands. Leviticus 19:32: “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.”
I was reminded of this fact as I visited an elderly home in Petriv, Ukraine. That is a small village located in the “nowhere” of Ukraine’s vast countryside.
The facility is a “home” to 30 elderly people. Most are bedridden. All are destitute of family. The friends of one’s past life are forever gone. About half have been transported here to escape the horrors of Russia’s evil invasion, occupation, and destruction of their nation, which did nothing to justify such grueling evil.
We toured the facility, visiting patients, looking at the dining room for those who can walk, saw the furnace and the supply of firewood that will last until January, and were taken to the kitchen and laundry room.
The kitchen has 3 stoves, but two only have one burner working. The laundry room has only one washing machine that works—one machine for 30 residents, and the majority are incontinent! I was shown two other washing machines and was told they were donations, but they are only “furniture” because they do not work! The real need is for a new washing machine, but I was told it would cost $700, and the budget refuses to buy one.
The home is staffed by compassionate ladies who often use their own resources to purchase items critical for the care of the residents.
This is where several deliveries from our containers have gone. On this visit, we delivered items recently shipped to Ivano-Frankivsk. Sergii said that as the items were being sorted, he came across a tube of medication for bed sores. He said he had never seen such and had no idea if it was needed, but he put it into a box and took it to the home. As they were unloading, the Director asked him if they ever received medicines for bed sores, and he instantly gave her the ointment tube!
We unloaded a number of items for this residence. They were especially grateful for the diapers, bed pads, and linens that we brought. We also brought food items that had been purchased and will be a great asset in the winter months.
Look at the photos. I hope they communicate to you the great blessing that you helped deliver!
“Through your prayers” (Phlm 22), this trip will see multiple successes as “doors of opportunity” open (Colossians 4:3)!
Thank you for your constant prayers!
John L. Kachelman, Jr., UKRAINE MISSIONS, Dalraida Church of Christ, Montgomery, AL
