Today dawned with bright sunlight and it was a welcomed relief to the dreary clouds that have been present ever since my arrival. It was a day filled with activity as we were trying to catch up for the lost time yesterday.

Our first stop was at the village Ugorniky. This is actually inside the city limits of Ivano-Frankivsk and in the direction of the city's housing growth. This is the location that has given the Church the property on which to build a church building. The village officials had contacted Ivan some time ago and said they had become aware of the Church's humanitarian aid efforts and the village council wanted to help. They had property reserved for religious buildings and offered that to the church. We jumped at the opportunity and began meeting with them and discussing how to make this happen. The village is interested in developing a primary health clinic and asked if it may be possible for the clinic to receive some items from our containers. In exchange, they were willing to donate the property and assist our efforts. The property is prime front lots on the highway going into Ivano-Frankivsk. In a series of meetings with the village council last year, Ivan secured the legal permission and title to the property. He specifically wanted the papers to say he had the authority to build a church building on the land. Such did not get past the Greek Catholic Church who tried to stop the action. Ivan was asked to appear before the village council and defend the Church's orthodoxy and explain the beliefs. Ivan answered well and then challenged the council by asking them if those were questions that elected deputies should ask or were they asked by the Greek Catholics. The end of the meeting saw that approval was given to Ivan's request and we have authority to construct a church meeting house on the land.

The Mayor of Ugorniky is a very delightful and articulate lady. She had seen the clinic that we had helped Starry Lisets start and she wanted one like that for her village. Ron Swang was informed of this opportunity and he arranged for a full dental clinic to be collected and it will be shipped out of Judsonia in mid-November. In addition to the dental clinic, we had shipped over a very good collection of waiting room furniture and this was presented to Ugorniky. Today the Mayor (Lubov Zinovievna) proudly showed me the conference room where our furniture was placed. They were in the process of reconstructing the city administration building and the furniture fits perfectly into the conference room (see pictures). When they saw the furniture, they had one of the village ladies make curtains that would go perfectly with the colors. Mayor Lubov proudly says her conference room is the envy of all the area Deputies who have asked her how she managed to get such fine furniture--and then she tells them of Ivan and the church's work! A SPECIAL NOTE TO WESTARK CHURCH OF CHRIST'S C.U.R.E. MINISTRY--Thank you for your assistance in getting this furniture!!

Our next stop was on the far side of Ivano-Frankivsk at an elderly home that we have noted in previous reports. The village is Cherniev and it had a large number of elderly who had no place to live. They gravitated to an old abandoned school that had no heat or running water. One man saw what was happening and took it upon himself to try to find means to renovate and repair the building to make it suitable for the elderly. It has been four years since we first visited and the changes are really impressive. Most of all I am proud to see how a number of the items we have shipped are essential in the services offered to these forgotten elderly. Most of the residents are cheerful, but some are dour. I would love to photograph each face there but many refuse. After a tour on the recent repairs, we were treated to a delicious meal of Ukrainian banosh and fried potato pancakes. The Chief Doctor (Galina) cooked the meal just for us.

Later in the afternoon we met with Andrew who is a constructor as well as a militia officer and a deputy in one of the local districts. Those who have been reading these reports for some time will remember Andrew as the guy that helped rebuild a number of bridges after the 2008 floods in west Ukraine. He has been of great assistance to Ivan on a number of occasions. Andrew is the best construction owner I have met in Ukraine. He has an integrity that is rare. His work is exceptional. It is Andrew who we want to build the church's meetinghouse in Ugorniky. Today's meeting was to start some preliminary discussions about the construction. The first hurdle will be getting an approved architect. This must be someone in Ukraine. We have had an architect volunteer from Mississippi but, unfortunately, his work will not be acceptable in Ukraine. In addition to drawing the plans, it is expected that the architect will get all of the necessary approvals and oversee the utility preparations, etc. Ivan and the brethren had been given a previous cost estimate by one architect in Ivano-Frankivsk and it was very expensive. I was hoping that because of our past dealings with Andrew and his knowledge of what we do that he could help dramatically cut the cost of construction. Ivan's visit with the architect he had been referred to resulted in the architect saying he could do whatever was needed but his cost would be $60,000.00. That quote was out of the question. We told Andrew that we had a big problem right at the beginning. We discussed the price and fees associated with the architect and he said that he knew a mother and daughter who worked as architects and they do a good job and work for less. So he called them and was told that they would do the job for 35,000 grievnas. The current exchange is 8 grievnas for 1 USD. So their price was $4,375.00--a dramatic difference! Hopefully Andrew will be able to help us build this building at the lowest possible price. We talked about when construction could begin and he said that the first phase will require all of the documents from the architect secured and that will give lawful permission to begin the construction. Then the foundation will be poured. But Andrew said that once winter begins he would not pour any concrete because it would not last. Our visit with Andrew was good and he is going to begin finding out the initial details that we need to know about this project.

It was then time for tonight's class. On the way to the class Ivan received a call from Andrew saying that he had just put Marina into the hospital, Marina is a little over three weeks pregnant with the baby she and Andrew had wanted for a long time. Today Marina started bleeding and that is why she was taken to the hospital. Andrew took her to the hospital and could not be with her because of hospital rules. So he is at home with little Sasha and will not know anything about Marina until in the morning.

Our Bible Class tonight had nine present and we continued our study of Proverbs and the Family. One of the highlights of this visit has been my bringing letters and pictures of greeting from the Judsonia members. Each night before class I read some of the letters and give a description of the one writing. This has really been enjoyed by the congregation. I often bring letters from here so brethren can get to know their Ukrainian brethren but I had never thought of the importance of our Ukrainian knowing brethren back in the USA--I guess I just thought everyone knew them!

Great good is being accomplished! Thank you for your continued interest and prayers in the gospel's efforts!

John Kachelman
(Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine)