The Face of Jesus — Ukraine Appeal February 2023
“When this war started all we had was ourselves, our bodies, our hands. But we had nothing to give. Because of you, we have been able to give food, warmth, shelter, God’s Word, and be the face of Jesus when everyone wondered ‘Where is God?’ Thank you.” Dr. Ivan Rusyn, president of Ukraine Evangelical Theological Seminary (UETS) in Kyiv
In November, a team from The Outreach Foundation visited the Medyka border between Ukraine and Poland. Medyka is a five-hour drive one-way and chaperoning us were faculty from the College of Theology and Social Sciences in Warsaw.
Out of that visit, we asked our Ukrainian friends, Ivan Rusyn and Father Oleh Kindii (Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Lviv), “What do you most need?” Of course, they were already humbled by the several hundreds of pounds of medical supplies and winter provisions that we loaded into their cars. “We most need a large generator so that our relief work can continue. If there is no power, there is no relief,” Ivan replied. Oleh informed us of the need for a blood centrifuge machine for several blood banks and agreed that without generators, relief work is nearly impossible.
In December, The Outreach Foundation went to work on these requests and donors responded with a significant YES. We are happy to report that on February 1, UETS installed a large diesel generator and there is sufficient funding to purchase diesel for a few weeks’ operation! The generator is making possible the cooking of over 1,500 meals per week, providing warm shelter for hundreds of people, people can charge their phones to stay connected with family, and online classes for students can continue. There was enough funding to provide two truckloads of humanitarian relief as well. The smiles of the workers tell us all we need to know.
Thanks to our friends from Samaritan’s Purse who were able to provide a large blood centrifuge machine. It will be delivered to a hospital in Sloviansk on the eastern side of Ukraine. Blood banks are overrun and the equipment is outdated and failing in many cases. This machine will serve the blood needs of thousands.
The opportunity to support continues
Dr. Ivan Rusyn has been on a U.S. visit with his wife Lludmyla, hosted by Tom Boone. During their two-week visit, they visited congregations in several states as well as Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham. Ivan was a speaker at ECO’s National Gathering in Southern California. This visit was instrumental for us to learn what our next steps should be. The bottom line is simple: our friends need more funding to carry on.
Here are a few leading takeaways:
The war is worsening and they anticipate full mobilization of men and women in the coming weeks. Ivan says, “The worst is coming.”
Despite her potential mobilization, Lludmyla Rusyn will be returning to Ukraine to serve her country and stand by her husband. “I can do nothing else.”
Russia is destroying Ukrainian civilian power infrastructure, hospitals, schools, and residences. We have seen the evidence and data and it is unequivocal.
The need for generators is critical. Our partners in Kyiv and Lviv are able to purchase generators from surrounding countries but funding is needed.
We are making another medical supply and winter clothing run to the border in late March. We will be filling two large vans of supplies for Kyiv and Lviv.
Finally, pray. Pray that God places a hedge of protection around our friends and those whom they serve. Pray that the urgent needs of this moment will continue to be met by so many who yearn to do something yet cannot be there. Finally, pray that the promise to Isaiah will come to pass soon not just in Ukraine but throughout this world. “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4). Until that day our friends ask us to pray for victory for Ukraine — so we will join them in that prayer.
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.