Report 11 | October 19, 2011
Greetings from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. I
arrived late last night after spending the day traveling from
Simferopol to Kyiv and then to Ivano-Frankivsk. When we left
Crimea it was a blustery day with the wind blowing strongly and
rain sporadically in downpours. Thankfully, there were no travel
delays and we arrived on time along with our luggage. The
interesting thing about flying in-country is that at every stop
you have to get your bags and then check them in once again. And
at every check-in point your bags are “overweight” so you have
to go to the cashier and pay the overweight fees and then return
to get your boarding passes. When we checked in at Simferopol we
were 18 pounds overweight but when we got to Kyiv we were 21
pounds overweight. Donetsk has the worst record for charging for
extra bags. When I left Ivano-Frankivsk last spring I was 18
pounds overweight and just paid and went on through the line. A
foreigner behind me just happened to be 18 pounds overweight but
he began objecting saying that he had the exact items he brought
and actually had less so he could not be overweight—his
objections did not help his cause and he eventually paid the
overweight charge and passed through the line.
Ruslan Skoleba met us at the airport and took us to the hostel where we are staying. When I first came to Ivano-Frankivsk I stayed at a very nice hostel, but in the spring I was told that some Italian business had rented the place on a long-term basis so we had to search for another. We found another place that was good but it too was leased on a long-term basis so I am now in a new location. When we arrived, Ruslan had the key but could not get the key to work in the door. He called the owner who was trying from the other side but the key would not turn. The owner said the door had to be pressed against the frame, so we all pushed on the door without any success. Finally, Tanya did something and the key worked! We all got inside and Ruslan left. This morning we were going outside to meet Ivan and the same problem occurred—the key would not get out of the door lock. After 20 minutes I was the one who had success with it this time. So in the new loocation it seems that I cannot get inside but when I do get inside I cannot get outside! The owner says he is going to have a locksmith work on the door and I hope it is soon.
Another interesting note for today…there is not a drop of water available! I was assured that this hostel always has hot water. Now I know that I need to ask, “Does it have water?” As all got up this morning, Tanya wanted to get her shower and hair washed before anyone else. So she jumped into the bathroom and turned on the water only to find a trickle. But the trickle was hot and was enough to get her wet and lathered. Then her shriek and news that the water had stopped! Someone gave her some of the bottled water to rinse off and the rest of us remained in the soiled condition in which we had found ourselves for several days (some soiled to an aroma much more intense than others). The owner found out that the water was to be turned back on at 8:00 p.m. but that deadline came and went…
Today Ivan took me to a village in the mountains named Delena. It is located about two hours out of the city and the last 45 minutes is on a road worse than a logging road. Ivan says this community has never received anything from anyone and they were very thankful for what they have received from the Lord’s Church. The ride was beautiful and as we got further into the mountains we saw where the first autumn snows had fallen and were still lying in the shaded areas.
When we pulled into the village the Mayor met us (his name was Vitaly). After the Mayor greeted me I saw a young girl (named Vika) dressed in the cultural dress of Ukraine come walking toward me. She had one of the embroidered ceremony towels under a plate that held a huge loaf of homemade bread. The bread was decorated with roses and leaves made out of dough. Tanya tried to get a picture of the loaf so you can see its beauty. The traditional greeting is that you are presented with bread and salt and the guest tears off a piece of bread, dips it into the salt and then eats it. Thus you are establishing friendship by breaking bread together! Much to my delight, when I tore off a piece of the loaf I found it was still warm! Ivan told me that they had asked him to call just prior to picking me up so they could begin cooking the bread. Of course, the door key removal fiasco put us about 30 minutes late but the freshly baked loaf was delicious.
I was taken on a tour of places where items from our shipment had been placed. I was shown an exam table that had replaced a very old exam and delivery table that I was told was manufactured in the 1930s (see the picture). I was also shown a dental chair that was still being used that was also from the 1930s. The village was so appreciative of what we sent.
Thank you for your continued interest and prayers in the gospel’s efforts!
John L. Kachelman, Jr.
Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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