Ukraine Appeal - Warsaw - God Has Put These People Under Our Care
“Observe how Christ loved us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:2
The Outreach Foundation is honored to connect US congregations with our friends in Warsaw, Poland at the College of Theology in Social Sciences. This Christian college trains men and women for service to the church in Eastern Europe. No easy task in a context where sharing the gospel is likened to “plowing through concrete.” Today, administration, faculty, and students are actively involved in relief work for 37 refugees from Ukraine. “Each family, each person is a different story. But there is one thing all of these 37 individuals have in common: God has put these 37 people under our care.” Piotr Nowak, president of the college and pictured playing table soccer with one of the children, took the initiative without knowing from where support might come. That same day The Outreach Foundation sent $15,000! During our recent visit, he shared, “The funds were a miracle.”
Due to ongoing support from The Outreach Foundation, this small but faithful college has converted classrooms and utility rooms into dormitory space. Residing there are mothers and children, including one pregnant mother expecting her third child. Families are living in a home-like atmosphere and receiving food, education, and medical care beyond the basic services provided in Poland. The pictures show several of the new amenities, including a washer, dryers, and a new play area. The war broke out during a school year and school continues, but online and many children do not have access. With funds from The Outreach Foundation, five laptops have been purchased for the children so they can have online lessons in the Ukrainian language.
All this is important for families to experience some degree of normalcy. Another goal is for the families to experience independence. Because of your generosity, families are provided $235 each week which helps them purchase their own food and hygiene products, and this week they were provided with enough funds for an Easter treat for the children. Thank you! Here is a sampling of their precious stories.
Luda and her family - two 3-year-old twins as well as her parents Ruslana and Vitalij - arrived on April 1. Due to the traveling conditions, the children had a rotavirus infection and immediately needed treatment. Luda’s mother, Ruslana, has bad knees. On the first day, she tripped and fell needing surgical consultation. In addition, she needs oncological treatment for kidney cancer. Because of your generosity, the college was able to cover their health needs, including hiring a translator to translate Ruslana’s Ukrainian medical documents into Polish.
Natalia, a 24-year-old woman, recently had a kidney removed. These days she is experiencing pain in her second kidney. Once again, the college had to hire a translator and has been able to secure a paid visit with a nephrologist. Earlier Natalia experienced strong allergies and now is able to afford allergy medication.
Also, ophthalmology-level eye care is a more specialized need not covered by the state. One 10-year old girl, Emma, and another, Natalia, are receiving eye care after having very difficult journeys out of Ukraine.
Finally, let’s hear from their own words. “YOU ARE PRESENT, RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!!! It is because of your donations and offerings that we are able to help these families in so many ways. These families know who you are. These families know that you are praying for each one of them. These families can feel that YOU are loving them like Jesus.”
THE OPPORTUNITY
Along with your prayers, you may help by making a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.