War Relief for the People of Ukraine — January 2023
Since February 2022, The Outreach Foundation has disbursed over 1.4 million dollars to partners providing integrated ministry to war-affected families in Ukraine and to many who have fled. This incredible show of support was made possible through the generous donations of congregations and donors across the U.S.
Showing up
The Outreach Foundation has fielded three teams to the region since war broke out in Ukraine. Our latest visit was in November, and we were able to reach the border between Poland and Ukraine. There we met Dr. Ivan Rusyn, President of the Ukrainian Evangelical Theological Seminary in Kyiv, and Father Oleh Kindii of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Lviv.
Both have been strong, faithful servants of Christ in this time of significant strain on the people of Ukraine. They have been serving hot meals to tens of thousands of people, providing shelter and food, delivering medical supplies to hospitals, and serving military troops with prayers, communion, and counseling.
Our team brought hundreds of pounds of relief supplies that have been spread across the military and many families, especially children, displaced by the war. While at the border we prayed, saw women hoping to find rides deeper into Poland, and miles of trucks bringing relief into Ukraine. Ivan and Oleh shared many stories.
Outside Ukraine: vital partners in Lithuania and Poland
City Church, Lithuania. City Church has provided multiple forms of relief to refugees from both Ukraine and the Middle East. They have established a hotel managed by Ukrainian refugees. They have hosted over 150 families from all over Ukraine. They are organizing childcare and providing transportation for children to school and doctors, while also meeting advanced medical needs not covered by the government. They engage Ukrainians in weekly Bible studies, worship services, and nightly prayer meetings. They have made supply runs into and out of Ukraine. Most recently they have helped many women and children settle into Lithuania with job placement, education, and language skills training. Their next steps include partnering with the College of Theology and Social Sciences in Poland to develop a counseling ministry for many war-affected people.
The College of Theology and Social Sciences (CTSS), Poland. Early on, CTSS transformed classroom and office space into long-term apartments for over 100 Ukrainian families, mainly women and children. Their work meets basic physical needs and provides advanced medical care that is unavailable through the government. They have weekly prayer services, Bible studies, and worship. CTSS helps families afford daycare and assists with tutoring and job placement as needed. Many families have been able to relocate to more permanent shelter as a result of the advocacy provided by CTSS. Most recently, they developed Novus Center, which provides trained counseling to war-affected families coping with serious emotional and psychological needs.
The need is greater now than it was at the start of the war
What we hear is true: Russia is using winter as a weapon. The winter there is harsh with temperatures ranging from 9 - 26 Fahrenheit without windchill. Power is available to most Ukrainians only for 8 hours a day. The recent military buildup for both Russia and the West is signaling that there is no end in sight. There are now over 7 million internally displaced people in Ukraine and most EU countries no longer provide relief to refugees.
· The Outreach Foundation recently supplied two large generators to keep the seminary in Kyiv operational with its relief efforts.
· Funds generated by our war relief appeal continue to go directly to these partners. Funds provide wood for heating in Ukraine, food, clothing, and much-needed medical supplies.
All this puts the church on the frontline of relief, and, with them, we are showing that God is present: He loves and He cares. There is a spiritual revival happening in Ukraine and Eastern Europe unlike any since the breakup of the USSR in the early 1990s! We invite you to continue with us on this journey of accompaniment with the people of Ukraine.
Praying for that day when swords will be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.
Rev. Dr. Tom Boone
Associate Director for Mission
THE OPPORTUNITY
Please continue to pray for all who are suffering greatly through this war. You may give HERE or by sending a check to our office.