Aid Supply Line Update

As the war officially entered into it’s second month, the spirit of the people in Ukraine remains strong, if not stronger, than when we first went in to them a few weeks ago. I have not yet met a Ukrainian who does not sincerely believe that they are going to win this war. The churches continue to meet and the people both worship, pray, and cry out to God for peace. At the same time, they prepare for the enemy to arrive. ("Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition”, is an old philosophy from times gone by in America.) Even in places where you don’t see the Russians there is a constant sense that at any time missiles can explode and destroy lives. Yesterday, near Vennitsa, which is our staging area for distribution, a factory was targeted and bombed. No one expected it. There were no tanks or troops in sight... the missiles were sent from inside Russia. For this reason, there is no safe place in Ukraine at the moment.

We have set up what I believe to be an effective supply line for aid from the Humea and Siret borders in Romania that runs to Vinnitsa and then from there, the people from the churches help to distribute in that area and then into Kiev region and down towards Mariupol region. We are now partnering with multiple groups both in Romania and Poland to make distribution faster and more accessible. They are divided into vans and cars and then sent around to the peoples in need. The Mariupol region is most needy but hardest to reach into, but we go as far as we can. Most of the supplies we have been able to find in Poland or Romania, but this week we have a container from Italy with much needed food products and humanitarian needs. We are now able to keep a constant flow going so far, thanks to your help.

We are also in the process of helping people to come back across the border. There are people who have been in positions of responsibility in Ukraine, who are targets now for kidnapping, especially in the Kiev area. For that reason there are safe houses for them, but they are trying to get their wives and children out for now. This is another area we are trying to help with. You will understand if I don’t tell their names or organisations. It has become common where the Russians have gone into cities for them to take people in position of authority and hold them as leverage to get what they want. These people are not looking to leave, but they are looking to get their families to safety and we are trying to help with that through Romania.

We have made good contacts within the country and within the churches to be able to target the people that we can help. We want to target groups and individuals that we can really help and not just throw stuff into the country side in order to say we did something. It is good to see what you have provided put into the hands of individuals and groups in need. I’ve attached some photos of some of those people from different regions. I hope that you will get a sense of the people and continue to pray for them as you pray for peace.

The families in the camp continue to try to have a form of normalcy, but it is far from ideal for them. As the days go by, they long to reunite with their fathers and husbands and to go back to their homes. The Bible has a lot to say about displaced people. God’s people in the Bible were often displaced. From Israel to the scattered church in the New Testament. We are to have a heart for them, just as we have a heart for orphans and widows. It is the work of the church worldwide. I want to thank you again for all you’ve done and are doing to help that part of the church to function in this desperate part of the world.

One particular prayer request. This dear lady left from Vennitsa with her son and daughter when the war started. She is also very pregnant and is over due to give birth. If she doesn’t deliver in the next day or two, they will have to do caesarean delivery. It is difficult in any setting to have a baby, but in this setting, where her husband is back in the war zone and she isn’t exactly sure where or how he is, it is even more trying. Her name is Yana. As we were coming through the town where she is staying, she prepared a meal for us and showed us Christian hospitality, in spite of the discomfort. I told her that I would let you know about her and she and her family will appreciate you thoughts and prayers.

Again, many thanks for all of your support. We continue to trust a sovereign God who knows all that is going on around us and longs for us to trust him and be faithful to our tasks. Many blessings to you as you aspire to do that in your part of His Kingdom.