Ukraine Appeal - Mission Eurasia - Anna's Story
Anna’s story: spiritual rebirth emerging from the ruins of war
Anna lived in Kyiv when the war broke out. She spent many days in her basement listening to explosions. When a Russian rocket hit her neighbor’s house, Anna and her family made the decision to evacuate. They didn’t know anyone in western Ukraine so they decided to take the first available train. That train happened to be going to Chernivtsi. When they arrived, they were met by the volunteers of Mission Eurasia's refugee assistance center, who helped her family find a place to live.
Anna shares, “I am a very active person, and although I was tired and frightened, I went to meet the people who provided us with accommodation the next day. When I learned that they were Christians, I wanted to know what kind of church they were and why they were helping all the people, not only the ones who belonged to the church. They invited me to the evening Bible study. During the day, I offered to help the church group that makes food to feed other refugees in this city. Two weeks later, I started to pray and read the Bible myself. I feel joy knowing that the Lord is leading me and taking care of me. I also feel so encouraged when I serve other people. I have no reason to lose heart. God brought me to this town under the shelling of the Russian army. I learned about Him here and became part of His church. I have a place to live, I help others, and I am joyful.”
Now Anna serves on Mission Eurasia’s refugee food preparation team. Volunteers take the food she and other Christians make to the central part of the city. Hundreds of people receive the food here. Church leaders share the gospel with them and pray with them right there in the central square.
Mission Eurasia is providing for the spiritual/emotional care of refugees in an integrated way. Staff and volunteers are believers who are committed to demonstrating Christ-like compassion in all of their interactions with refugees as they distribute food, provide transportation, assist with housing, and other essential services. At the same time, they are prepared to pray with and share the gospel message with refugees as well as distribute copies of Scripture in the Ukrainian language, including Bibles, children’s Bibles, prayer booklets, and other Christian literature. In addition, Mission Eurasia has launched a special pastoral care and counseling component ministry that deploys well-trained pastors and volunteer counselors to help those traumatized by the war and grieving the loss of their homes and loved ones. They estimate that at least 8,000 refugees have received pastoral care and counseling at one of our three refugee assistance centers in Moldova and Poland, and that each of the 20,000 refugees assisted so far have received some form of spiritual/emotional care.
The opportunity
The Outreach Foundation is pleased to partner with Mission Eurasia in its humanitarian relief efforts that not only feed people with physical bread, but also share openly and boldly about Jesus who is the Bread of Life. We are committing to provide 300 I-Care kits which are filled with enough food for one week for a family of four, a Bible translated into Ukrainian, and prayer cards that people treasure. Mission Eurasia is well-positioned to do God’s work throughout Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Please send your financial gifts to The Outreach Foundation HERE.