I receive email communication constantly, and as each is read, I am reminded of Proverbs 15:30: “Bright eyes gladden the heart; Good news refreshes the bones.” Here are a few snippets that have refreshed my bones!
First Responder Turnout Gear…
Brother Alvin Creasy is a faithful member of the Wayne Furnace Church of Christ (located in Waynesboro, TN and has the best fried pies in the south!).
Alvin contacted me several months ago asking if I thought fireman’s turnout gear was needed. I told him that it was a constant request and we have shipped a large amount into Kharkiv, Ukraine. He sent about 30 boxes containing helmets, boots, gloves, coats, pants, etc. Kathy Cadden brought these supplies to Montgomery after meeting Alvin. We then loaded this into a container that was shipped to Ivano-Frankivsk.
The container arrived and Sergii began distributing these items. Sergii said that it has gone to five different locations where it is in use by the military first responders battling the fires that Russian bombs ignite. The above photo is from a team on the front line using the gear to save lives!
“Hello John, our volunteers have handed over the fire-resistant suits and footwear you kindly provided to a special unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in response to their request. Thank you for your support during these challenging times!”
It is encouraging to look at the admin stats page on the website and observe the nations from which the hits on reading the reports are recorded. I am surprised at the literal worldwide scope of the readers. Most interesting is that the majority of hits come from Asia and not the USA! I invite the Asian readers to contact me and share their stories! Here is a wonderful note from Ghana…
“Hello, dear Brother John K, I bring you a warmth greetings from my wife, children, and parents from Ghana. Hope all is well with you and your holistic mission works in Ukraine. I am always inspired reading your infectious amazing mission works in Ukraine reports. It keeps me energised and to emulate same. You’re always in my daily thoughts and prayers. Please kindly extend my greetings to the entire congregation especially our awesome dear sister in the Lord, Tanya. Your brother in Christ from Ghana, Emmanuel, HMI”
Distribution…
Even though I see and travel with Sergii on almost a daily basis, he still sends photos and narratives of the distribution. Here is a recent report:
“Good evening, John. We continue to provide humanitarian aid in response to requests from our military that they discover in their positions. Over the past week, our trips have delivered many needed supplies—specifically the medical items, braces, and medical consumables you provided in the last container. The food and water that we have purchased are true blessings. As you know very well, we went to seven different sectors of the front line to assist those living there and the wounded. We are sincerely grateful for this assistance and support. We have new photos from the front line in Donetsk Region and you have these. Thanks for your support! It is very good to see you in Ukraine! We are thankful for the prayers of many Americans who help you in this great effort. Sergii”
The slideshow below is a sampling of photos from the distribution.
CORRECTION: In Trip Report #9, there was a crucial typo that has been corrected. I want to note the correction here so all are aware. This applies to the autonomous structure of the Lord’s Church that is controlled solely by the authority of Scripture. God gave the Church the Bible to rule its beliefs and practices. Man has taken away and added to God’s rule, and that is NOT the New Testament Church. Here is the corrected paragraph in #9’s report:
The constant emphasis in this series is that God’s design for the Church cannot be “destroyed.” That design remains viable because God has given mankind His inspired Word. As long as man follows God’s Word, WITHOUT addition or subtraction, the Church of the New Testament will exist. Whenever man decides that God’s way is not sufficient and begins to change and add beliefs and practices to the worship and life of the Church, then the Church’s lampstand is removed—a “religious” group remains, but it is NOT the Church of the New Testament!
“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
