Report 3 | May 2, 2010
The May Day Holiday is the highest holy day of Communism and Socialism. Its celebration began late Friday night and continues until Monday. Consequently, very little is accomplished except for private meetings and individual Bible studies.
Today provided an opportunity to gather with the brethren of the Kubychev congregation where Sergie and Luba have worked for many years.
The holiday had a negative impact upon the attendance as they said most of their younger members were out of town. But we still had a very uplifting assembly and being present allowed everyone to leave with the joy that only true brotherly love can provide. I took a number of pictures of the assembly and your brethren so you can put faces with these wonderful brethren. This is the congregation where Bob and Anne Brewer nurtured with their love and spiritual maturity. Without exception everyone present expressed their debt to the Brewers for providing them the biblical foundation upon which they find salvation today. It is always so encouraging to hear faithful saints speak with high regard, respect, and affection those who spent time in teaching them God’s Word. Such reminds me of the Hebrew Epistle’s exhortation as he mentioned those who had taught Bible to the Hebrew Christians (Hebrews 13:7), “Remember them that had the rule over you, men that spake unto you the word of God; and considering the issue of their life, imitate their faith.” How thankful we should be to those who have stood and preached and taught the uncompromised “old Jerusalem gospel” and upheld the integrity of the Lord’s Church. How wonderful are the recollections of by-gone days when gospel preachers were encouraged to speak boldly the Truth and when godly elders were held in high esteem for their unwavering conviction that they would do no more or less than what the Scriptures expected of them as the Shepherds of God’s Flock.
Today, as I listened to the Kubychev brethren speak of Bob and Anne, I could not help but think of this point. Let us heed the Hebrew exhortation in Hebrews 13:7 and honor and commend those that have stood boldly and proclaimed the simple exclusive gospel that alone saves the lost and secures the saved. Let me ask you to send a note or call or somehow communicate your appreciation to a gospel preacher for standing firm, steadfast, and immovable for the absolute Truth of God’s Book.
This afternoon I was treated to a visit to the Donetsk Botanical Gardens. The blooming season is about 2 weeks behind what we have in the middle south. There were lots of tulips still blooming and the early spring flowers and trees had bloomed. Most have begun planting their gardens for the summer and soon the hot sun will heat the black dirt of Ukraine and the crops will quickly grow. Once again, the Knob Creek brethren have sent garden seeds over. These are a most welcomed gift and for many of the widows these seeds offer the only food that will be put aside for the cold winter months.
Tomorrow will be the last day of the holiday and while I will not be able to have any formal meetings I will be involved in helping some elderly ladies get food. Hopefully, on Tuesday all will be back on schedule. Friday’s planned meeting with the Vice-Mayor of Donetsk and the Donetsk Oblast Humanitarian Aid Commission failed to materialize. We were told that “maybe” on Wednesday we can have the meeting but that is the last day I will be in Donetsk and I already have appointments scheduled to be in Konstantinovka. I have begun efforts to contact some in positions of authority that is above the Donetsk Oblast and hopefully these efforts will succeed in getting the attention that I need.
I hope your Lord’s Day has gone well and your assemblies with God’s saints were uplifting to one another and honoring to the Almighty God who has instructed us on what to do to please Him!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Donetsk, Ukraine
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