Who would have seen war in Ukraine as an opportunity to advance God’s church? Terrible at best. Yet when the world seeks destruction, God advances per His perfect will and builds His church. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). Here is an encouraging report from a church we serve . . .

A letter of gratitude

Greetings in Christ, our dear friends! We hasten to share with you the good news that despite the difficulties of recent times such as the pandemic, financial crisis, war, and weather disasters, God is still building His church and will not allow the gates of hell to prevail against it. We are sincerely grateful to you for your food aid.

From the first days of the war, [our church] has been actively involved in helping IDPs [internally displaced persons]. [Our city] is located on the highway leading to a checkpoint with Poland. In the first days of the war, there were many miles of traffic jams of people wishing to leave for Poland. The Baptist churches took an active part in feeding people who stood in line for several days to leave. 

When the wave of immigration had subsided, it turned out that in many border villages there were people who, for various reasons, could not cross the border. There was a huge need for heaters, mattresses, warm clothes, food, medicines, diapers and baby formula. Our Baptist church, together with the help of other Baptist churches, began to take care of a group of about 50 IDPs who were sheltered on the territory of a school. For five months, the church took care of this group and similar groups of people in [a different] district. During this time, people moved from one place to another, some were able to go abroad, some returned from abroad and had no place to return to in Ukraine due to the destruction of their homes or occupation.

The church began a new stage in its work with IDPs. The church began to look for and help with renting apartments for IDPs, as all the rooms in the House of Prayer were already filled with people. Priority was given to large families and mothers with newborn babies. As a result of the huge work with people, the local church has doubled in size and turned the House of Prayer into a humanitarian hub, where over the past two years a center for humanitarian, psychological, and spiritual support has been formed for people who suffered from the military aggression. We believe that God will bless those who are “generously sowing.” On behalf of the local church, we ask you to continue to pray for us as much as possible. May the Lord bless you richly!

Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. (Eccles. 11:1).

Sincerely,
Vitaliy, pastor of the church

Here are some pictures of people you have helped:

Our church distributes food aid. We take care of people with disabilities. Your food aid has expanded the ration of these people. They shared that they were able to try some of the products for the first time in their lives, because their miserable pension never allowed them to buy such products.

Yana (disabled lady) from southern Ukraine (occupied territory).

Mykhailo, first group disabled.

Iryna with her two daughters moved to us from southeastern Ukraine. They felt the love of the church and were very happy to get food aid.

Dmytro, Yulia and their three children moved to us from northeastern Ukraine. Their greatest desire and goal was to get away from the constant shelling caused by the enemy. They hesitated for a long time to go to the western part of Ukraine, as they had never had friends or people they knew there. But when they finally ended up in our town, and later came to our church, they experienced God’s love and care through the food packages we received from SGA.Now this family has a big family in Christ and they are so grateful to everyone and especially to the Lord!

We also take care of people with low incomes. Our pensioners receive food aid with great thankfulness.

In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary and SGA-supported Compassion Ministry. Be a part of God’s incredible work with your generosity and prayer support.

Your gift of compassion helps struggling people with emergency aid that generally includes Scripture materials, food, medicine, warm clothing and shoes.