2011 Spring Mission Trip

Matthew 28:19 - ... go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ...

2011 Spring Mission Trip - Report 15

Report #15—Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wednesday was a very long day here...up at 5:00 going to Zhitomyr (2 hrs on the road) then to Berdichev and back to Zhitomyr (2 hours round trip) then Korosten (1.75 hrs) then driving and visiting follow-ups in Korosten (3 hrs) then back to Kyiv (2.75 hrs from Korosten via bus)—If I count correctly that was 11.5 hours in travel! As the bus pulled into the terminal last night Tanya was too exhausted to even argue with the taxi cab about a lower price. She just looked at me and said “Please let’s pay it. I don’t feel like fighting with him.”

The trip began as all bus trips in Ukraine begin…observing the gathering of some of the most unique characters that will ever be placed together in the confines of a small metal rectangular box and hurling down the roads at extreme speeds. Remembering my crushed knees from the previous Zhitomyr bus ride, I went to the very back row where the seats go all along the back of the bus and the middle seat is in the aisle so you have all the leg room you need. I sat down next to two guys who had already claimed the seats next to the right wall—they had a shelf in front of them. One was rather large and the other very slim (reminded me of Laurel and Hardy). They were enjoying the morning and were talking fast and loud (actually they never stopped talking). As the bus pulled out of the depot, they pulled out their bags and began preparations to eat. But, of course, before they ate they needed some vodka…so out comes the bottle. The cups are placed on the tray, filled, then the toast, then the drinks. Oh, they were immensely enjoying themselves and all of the time they were unaware that they had begun “bus seat creep.” If you have never ridden busses in Ukraine, then you cannot fully appreciate the term “bus seat creep.” This is a phenomenon in which your cushion space subtly disappears and all at once you find yourself sitting in half the space that you previously had. If you look at the encroaching body, you will get a look that communicates “Why are you looking at me?” After the third round of toasts, we had not gone 10 kilometers but Laurel and Hardy were continuing to enjoy the ride. My cushion space was less and less, BUT at least I could stretch out my legs! After the first bottle was finished, I thought we would be over that part; but destroying much of my positive expectations was the appearance from the bag of bottle #2. I sat back and consoled myself that at least I had 15-20 kilometers behind me and a little less than 2 hours left on this ride!

This trip was a second visit to the Zhitomyr Oblast. The 25th anniversary of Chernobyl was still on everyone’s mind. The first visit we made was to a school in the city of Berdichev (population of 98,000) that works with disabled children. Thanks to C.U.R.E. (from the WestArk church of Christ in Ft. Smith, AR) we were able to send a large amount of special needs equipment for children. I am putting a special report at the end of this that was sent to the Department of State on my visit to Berdichev. Following the visit to Berdichev, I went back to Zhitomyr and then to the city of Korosten (68,000+ population). There is no congregation in Korosten, but we were taken to a group of the street children who were having a mid-week Bible study. There were about fifteen present and most looked to be 14-17 years old. We sat in the study and had a good visit with them. Hopefully, another visit will provide more opportunities to continue interacting and studying the Scriptures with these young people. We gave them some website addresses to look up and continue their discussion.

Wednesday was a physical complete wipe out, and the ride back to Kyiv was longer since we took the bus from Korosten instead of Zhitomyr. Thursday we planned to go the opposite direction to Chernigiv. It would be another long day of travel. But going there would give me an opportunity to meet again with the group that had told me they were interested in following only the New Testament. After the visit last fall, the Zhitomyr brethren and the Glen Allen, VA brethren went to Anisov and met with this group. There is much interest in discussing questions, but there is a need for much patience and teaching. I wanted to visit with this group once again. I had tried for several days to make contact with those in that small group but had been unable to contact them. I had decided to go to the village and show up at the home of Alexanderia where we had the previous study. But things change quickly in Ukraine and the plans for Thursday changed. I received word that I needed to talk with the contact in the Kyiv Cabinet of Ministers about the food containers that we want to ship and I was asked to be at another meeting later in the day. So plans changed and I did not get to go to Chernigiv.

This will be the last report for this trip! It seems incredible that the time is past. I have just a few things to wrap up on Friday and will then buy some candy for the kids at church and then pack things up for the return trip of about 23 hours on Saturday. I will be back in Searcy next week and will make a “flying” trip to see daughter #2 graduate with HONORS as she receives her Master Degree in Education from DLU next Saturday. Jennifer is planning a reception for Bekah and all of this will happen in a brief period of time.

Thank you to all that have helped in support and encouragement for this trip and my mission efforts in general—you are a great encouragement to me! For those who sent financial support I will get the trip’s report and DVDs out to you ASAP.

John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Kyiv, Ukraine