![\"Hotel](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kachelman.com\/ukraine\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/05\/DSCF0828.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a>In the Zhytomer Oblast I am visiting a number of locations\u2014the city itself where we have helped with 28 distribution sites to the displaced people. I will also visit Korosten, Olevsk, and several other locations. Each of these will have a number of distribution locations.<\/p>\n The three oblasts that have the heaviest influx of those displaced by Russia\u2019s invasion and occupation are\u2014Ivano-Frankivsk, Zhytomer, and Kyiv. IDPs are scatted throughout the other regions of Ukraine but these three have the greatest population.<\/p>\n In the Zhitomyr visits I met with the following groups: various displaced people from Lugansk and Donetsk; families that had loved ones killed by the war; those civilians disabled by mines and bombs; soldiers who came to get some items for their family, families who have been affected by the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operations) either by the husband being sent to fight or by other traumas associated with the ATO.<\/p>\n The need is unimaginable. The scope is overwhelming. The faces of the women and children are unforgettable.<\/p>\n Everywhere I go I see our Family Buckets that so many have collected and shipped to those in need! The Glen Allen church of Christ sent hundreds of buckets to Judsonia and we sent those to Zhitomyr where Glen Allan has been working for many years. I saw some of those buckets being given to widows with children.<\/p>\n The clothes and toys and hygiene items are all prized treasures. These are sorted and arranged so that those coming for help can easily find what they need. When one comes to get assistance the first thing is to show the official documents that are given to displaced people. There are groups that go into the distribution rooms. These are 10-15 people and after they find what they need another group is allowed to enter. The entire process is documented, checked, and orderly.<\/p>\n AS I watched group after group go and select a few things and each was given a family bucket and the a bag of food mixes (the food mixes have come from A Child\u2019s Hope International; Kids Against Hunger; British Columbia Gleaners), I could not help but think, \u201cWhat is such a small amount in the face of such an enormous need?\u201d But we are doing something and that something is greatly appreciated. Faith tells us\u2026IF God can take the few loaves and fishes and made it sufficient then He can take our meager efforts and make them sufficient!<\/p>\n The gratitude expressed to me was sincere.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One moment is unforgettable\u2026I wish each reader could have been present\u2026<\/p>\n Among those being assisted were the families of soldiers fighting in the ATO. Today I walked into the distribution site located downtown Zhytomer and instantly saw four young men in their BDUs. Seeing young men in BDUs is not unusual because of the war. But this scene was strikingly different. Tanya immediately leaned over and said, \u201cSee what they are looking at?\u201d They were huddled around a box that had stuffed animals for children.<\/p>\n Each was looking over the assortment and selecting just one of the stuffed animals for his family.<\/p>\n These were troops from Ukraine\u2019s 93rd and 95th Airborne brigades. Each of the boys seemed to tower over me so they had to be 6\u20195\u201d or taller. They were physically fit, well disciplined, and soldierly. They wore the aged faces of those whose youth had been stolen by the forever indelible memories of evil\u2019s horrors.<\/p>\n They were so young\u2026and they were huddled around a box filled with stuffed animals and talking about each one\u2026The visual was surreal.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>
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\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\nThe visuals will move you in the deepest parts of your spirit.<\/p>\n