Ukraine Appeal Update
As the world watched in horror, Ukraine was invaded by Russia on February 25. In less than a month, more than 3 million Ukrainians have joined millions of other refugees in Europe. On the nightly news, we have witnessed the tragic fallout from this catastrophe including bombings and sniper attacks, deprivation of basic necessities, the terror of families being separated. Heartbreaking.
But we have also witnessed hope. The Outreach Foundation is blessed to have relationships with several partners in Eastern Europe. We have shared their stories here on our website and will continue to do so. Several partners there share their thoughts:
Father Oleh Kindii, professor of philosophy at Lviv University, parish priest. Oleh’s story is one of many stories of faithful church leaders helping people experience God’s love in the darkest of nights. The church will not close there. Quite the opposite, it has become a hub of relief work and spiritual care. Worship continues throughout the day, as priests pray with and listen to people’s questions, hurts, and fears. At the same time, Oleh and others try to meet the enormous physical needs people have. Since the outbreak of war, thousands of people have come to the church and Oleh says “many who lost their faith are regaining it.”
Sergii, Nataliya, and her mother Evgeniya, members of the City Church in Lithuania. “Our hearts are very heavy.” They are glad to be safe, but for them, it is heart-wrenching to have left many friends behind. They want to help others with their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. “God has given us a new sense of being one, the body of Christ, cooperating to share the good news.” This witness has left an indelible mark on them. They will never forget what the church has done to show God’s generous love. “Thank you,” they said.
Marina and her 5-year-old son Zachar, the first refugees to arrive at City Church. On February 24th at 6:00 a.m. Marina was teaching an online class to Ukrainian kids in the U.S. when a bomb exploded right in front of her house. They immediately moved to the basement of their 12-story building and spent two days there. Then her husband found a ride for Marina and her son, and they spent four days on the road until they got to Lithuania. Her husband stayed behind with their 20-year-old son to fight in the resistance. City Church has opened its church buildings for women and children to gather and talk with each other. There is much heaviness, but also joy that people really do care.
Lena Vasilevsky, who was in Warsaw with 17 women and children from Kyiv but is now on the way to Spain.
Outreach Executive Director Mark Mueller and Associate Director Tom Boone were recently in Warsaw. They met Lena and shared, “Each of these women and children has had to say goodbye to husbands and friends back in Ukraine. For them, everything is very raw. They are exhausted yet cannot sleep well. Their hearts are filled with guilt and shame at having left. They anxiously await phone calls in the morning from friends and family in Ukraine and are heartbroken when those calls never come because of what that likely means.”
The stories continue to be shared by so many people who are sad but have not lost hope in the Lord. Father Oleh said, “When it’s darkest, that is when we can see the stars.” Oleh continues, “In scripture, we hear that God suffers with us. ‘In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy, he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.’ Isaiah 63:9”
Thanks to your generous gifts of more than $200,000 to date, we have been able to send funds to:
· Lviv, Ukraine – funds are being sent to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of Lviv which is using the money to assist both Ukrainians fleeing and those staying in the country. The church is purchasing food, medicine, and first aid supplies to assist civilians injured in Ukraine. They are buying backpacks, food, water, supplies, medicine, etc. to give to refugees for their journey. The church is also giving money to refugees to purchase train and bus tickets to flee.
· Poland – funds are being wired to The College of Theology and Social Sciences, a seminary in Warsaw, that is housing Ukrainian refugees. Money is being used for food, water, medicine, clothes, etc.
· Lithuania – funds are being wired to City Church where Ukrainian refugees are being housed both in the church and in the homes of congregation members. Money is being used for food, water, medicine, clothes, etc. This area in Lithuania has high unemployment, so funds are very helpful as those housing the refugees have limited resources to assist but are offering all they do have in order to help.
· Lithuania - City Church will also be launching a major effort soon to bring at least 47 orphans and their caregivers from the war zone in Ukraine.
Please continue to pray for the people of Ukraine and for refugees around the world.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Along with your prayers, you may help by making a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.