Voices from Ukraine
The Outreach Foundation is listening to voices of our friends from Eastern Europe and we are sharing them with you.
While the bitter cold of war continues to escalate, we are grateful to share with you the voices of our friends in and around Ukraine. Friends such as Father Oleh Kindii, a professor of philosophy at Lviv University and a parish priest. Today he received hundreds of confessions from people. Today he wrote, “On this day when Russia has launched a vicious attack on the country of Ukraine, we pray that the Good Shepherd may bring strength and wisdom to leadership and protection for the most vulnerable now in this unjustified, premeditated aggression. Prayers for all.”
Father Oleh’s family is fleeing, but at the risk of his being killed he has decided to stay to provide care to his older congregation members who are stuck in Lviv. “I personally understand that I have to be with my people. Today lots of people, unusually more, came to our church for confession. I heard those confessions for several hours. People who haven't been to church for years come. But I am also realizing that if Russians succeed, they will do what they always did in the past: kill intelligentsia, church clerks, etc. I'm ready for martyrdom, but I want my kids to survive. Lord, have mercy!”
Then we heard from dear friends, Oleg and Lena who live in Kyiv, and run a Christian music and arts school. Their ministry has brought many teenagers to the Lord and given young people hope and joy in the midst of a corrupt system. Today they and their team are refugees making their way westward toward Poland. Oleg writes, “We woke up at 5 AM to explosions in Kyiv near our house. We are evacuating our team now. God was good that we could get full tanks of fuel yesterday because today gas is running out and there are long lines. It took four hours to cross the bridge to the west, but people are being very nice and kind while they drive.” 24 hours later they are still not out of Ukraine.
Olena is a Ukrainian who lives in Lithuania and is a lay leader in City Church. Her family is remaining in Ukraine and their church is serving the needs of people who cannot leave. She writes, “My heart breaks for all the pain that this war is causing. I believe in the power of prayer and I have peace despite the uncertainty of the future. God is in control and no tyrant lasts forever. God is saving people's hearts through these hardships. Thank you for your prayers, care, practical support to the people of Ukraine! Much love from our family 💛💙.“
As war in Ukraine broke out thousands gathered in cities across Lithuania to show their support. Lithuania is a country the size of South Carolina and is the southernmost of the Baltic States. To the south is Poland to which is anticipated thousands of refugees will be coming from Ukraine. To its east is Belarus where Russian and Belarusian forces are gathered and to the west is Kaliningrad, Russia. It is a poor country with high unemployment and they have already received refugees from the Middle East and Iran.
AN IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITY
Our partner in Lithuania, City Church, will receive refugees from Ukraine soon, even as Lithuanians themselves prepare for possible invasion. Their members have volunteered to give space in their homes and City Church has relationships with churches in Ukraine who are giving relief through food and shelter. If you wish to support this work of City Church and the families of refugees please make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.