It is good to see God’s people serve Him through the ministry of hospitality as the war in Ukraine continues. Displaced Ukrainians with no home are finding comfort and care from followers of Christ, and the evidence of their faith resounds in word and deed.
As you can read in Olena’s testimony below, she declares: “For me, humanitarian aid is not just a set of necessities for living, but also a way to show my husband who believers are and how they care about people and our family . . . In all these circumstances, I see God’s great love, wisdom, and care for my family, and I cannot imagine how my life would have turned out without the war, so I thank God for everything He has sent me.”
Please take the time to read her story, as part of an SGA-supported pastor’s report . . .
Greetings dear and faithful friends in the Lord!
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, [our church] has been serving IDPs [internally displaced persons] and people in need. We are grateful to God, who moves the hearts of people who work in the mission, and thus demonstrates God’s love for us, Ukrainians. We are able to serve people in need with food and hygiene supplies. When we bring food packages, we see gratitude in the eyes of the people who receive them.
There are people who are not members of the church, but regularly visit the House of Prayer, and they also say that they find peace and rest in the church. And we are grateful that with your help we can serve.
—Pastor of the church
Testimony of Olena from Mariupol
I thank the Lord for everything in my life, for all the circumstances He has put me through. For taking me out of my comfort zone through the war, and for making me His child.
On February 24, at the beginning of the war, I left Mariupol with my family. Every day we drove farther and farther. We had no idea where we would be tomorrow, not even mentioning the future. (Before the war, my husband was against me going to church.) As we drove farther and farther, my husband asked me if I could find believers to stay overnight. Imagine his surprise when I not only found such people, but they offered us a place to stay for a month for free, and even a delicious borscht was waiting for us when we arrived. The Lord worked not only with me, but also with my husband. But that was only the beginning . . .
Then we moved to [this] region, where I started going to church. Here I was surrounded with care and was given humanitarian aid. For me, humanitarian aid is not just a set of necessities for living, but also a way to show my husband who believers are and how they care about people and our family. Thanks to all these things (good attitude toward my family, humanitarian aid), my husband not only does not mind that I go to church, but also allows our child to go to church to attend Sunday school. In all these circumstances, I see God’s great love, wisdom, and care for my family, and I cannot imagine how my life would have turned out without the war, so I thank God for everything He has sent me.
Testimony of Yuri from Toretsk, Donetsk Region
We are a family from Toretsk, and we were were forced to leave our home in the spring of 2022 after a full-scale invasion and escape, at that time in an unknown direction. On the way, we were able to find an apartment in [this] region, through our friend, where we have been living ever since. Soon after arriving, we learned that humanitarian aid could be obtained in the church. We started looking for it, and ended up at the Baptist church, where we received help. Then I started attending church. The people from the church treated me very friendly, helped me with food, personal care items, and household items. Here our family experienced strong support, and we met good people who are always ready to help.
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.