AN UPDATE ON UKRAINE

Bill Finnemore

Remember how shocked and worried we were two and a half years ago when we first learned Russia had invaded Ukraine? We started to hear about the tsunami of mostly women and children refugees on the move fleeing the war and then we also started hearing how our partner churches in Poland were responding, but were quickly being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of needy people. Yet they opened their homes and church buildings and tried to find basic food and shelter for these suffering people.

The RockPointe Church family responded quickly and generously when they heard Alliance people had a way to send help to these Polish churches who were struggling to meet the basic needs of these refugees, mostly women with their children.

Since those early weeks of the conflict, churches in Poland have continued to work tirelessly and have expanded their ministry, reaching out to internal refugees all the way across Ukraine to within 10 kilometers of the front. A distribution network made up of Ukrainian churches has been established through which the much-needed food and supplies are delivered to those in need. Along with the material help, the gospel of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed and people previously closed to the message are coming to Christ!

One of the volunteers said how thankful he is that his team doesn’t come to these towns with empty hands. Instead, along with the Good News, they give out much needed supplies and food to suffering people living in very stressful times. The volunteer went on to say, "it is so urgent that we tell them of Jesus because next time we come we will find that there are inevitably those who have been killed since our last visit."

God, in His sovereignty, is doing a remarkable thing. Against the backdrop of terrible human suffering He is using His church in Canada to join hands with the church in Poland, which in turn reaches out to churches in Ukraine, to offer Hope along with food and supplies. Down through the ages, whenever there has been suffering God’s church has grown. As you watch this short video report, let us be reminded that God is using our money and our prayers to further His Kingdom among the struggling people of Ukraine. Their suffering continues; may our prayers and support also continue as God builds His church in Ukraine.