The world watches while the artillery fire lights up the skies of Ukraine. If you have been hanging on every word coming in from the news, as I have, the tendency is to be pretty upset as the bear of Russia continues to mercilessly choke off the independence of Ukraine.
I have some good news though; I’d like to shed light on a whole different battle taking place in Ukraine. One that passes under the watchful eye of the media but it is one that is much more powerful. A force to be reckoned with.
The church in Chernivtsi set up a temporary refugee camp, for Christians to stay short term while they are waiting to cross the border.
. . .
City of Refuge Church of Christ in Kiev
Dima from the City of Refuge Church of Christ in Kiev is bringing humanitarian aid to Christians in Kiev and Kharkov. Despite the danger to themselves, they are also bringing people to Western Ukraine and to the border. They are organizing the “Let’s Love Relief Mission” with local churches of Christ to set up bomb shelters for people to stay in whose homes have been destroyed.
They had one young lady give her life to Christ as she hid with a group of Christians in an apartment from Russian gunfire, so many more have recommitted their lives to Christ. https://sycamorevcoc.fellowshiponego.com/external/form/2c1bab52-f83f-4ca1-a850-c16063e0ab99
Sasha in Poznyaki Church of Christ
A preacher in a different church in Kiev, he had to bid his wife and daughter goodbye this week as they fled to safety in Poland. Like all men, he has to stay in Ukraine. He says “We still have students in the Sunset Bible college, and we are determined to continue to minister to the Ukrainian people who are unable to flee from the war.”
After some members of the church spent ten days hiding out in the basement of the church building, two souls were won for Christ, and she was among the group traveling to Poland. Eastern European Missions is one of the organizations supporting refugee efforts in Poland and Romania.
The Father’s House
Slavik Kreshnivski has been the preacher in the church in Nikopol Ukraine where my husband and I worked for years. He is the administrator for two rehab centers in southern Ukraine. They are being converted to provide housing for those displaced from their homes and to provide for them as they have no ability to work as a result of war.
This tiny ‘comrade’ is sewing Ukrainian flags to sell. She raised $325 to donate to The Father’s House Ministry in Nikopol Ukraine.
Slavik says they will have two baptisms this Sunday.
At the start of the war, banks were closed shutting off Ukrainian churches from the finances they so desperately need.
Jason Casey set to work on it immediately and he has set up a way to temporarily get funding to the church of Nikopol. His wife, Nastia is from the congregation there, but her family can’t get out of Ukraine because of health concerns.
You can make payments to his paypal account: jasoncbcasey@gmail.com, or by Venmo account, @jason-casey-49
He distributes it as we tell him where needs are. This is one of the best ways to get funds directly in the hands of those who need it.
The Church of Christ in Sopot Poland
This church is cooperating with Healing Hands International based out of the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas. They are prepared to receive twenty-six refugees. They met with representatives of the city of Sopot and of the Sopot Lion’s club to increase the number of war refugees they assist. Online contributions can be made through their website. To make sure your donation finds the right mission, make sure ‘Contributions’ is selected and in the memo line, enter “2371-UKRAINE REFUGES-DAWIDOW” Checks made out to the College church of Christ need to be similarly labeled in the memo line and sent to College Church of Christ, 712 E. Race Street, Searcy, AR. 72143.
You may also follow church updates at the Nikopol Evangelism facebook page.