Last Sunday I shared with our congregation some reports from our missionaries close to the war in Ukraine.
The first was a report from Billy Miller, who has been doing ministry in Romania for the last 10 years, but felt compelled by God’s Spirit to go into Ukraine and find a way to serve those in need.
Here is what Billy’s dad shared with us:
“Thank you for all the generosity to Assured Hope. Billy and 3 Pastors from Romania have been in Chernivtsi, Ukraine for the last 3 days ministering at a small church. They are sleeping at the church. The Russians have not gone west yet, so Chernivtsi is not under siege. They delivered provisions on Thursday and are helping set up a refugee center. They have been having prayer meetings for hours at a time, and there is much weeping and angst, yet Billy says the Lord is bringing comfort. Yesterday they bought beds, a washing machine and blankets.”
The second report was from Roger and Robin Harsh, who have served for 20+ years in the Czech Republic.
“Today 3,000 refugees came into Czech on a train which would normally carry 900 people. Many had not had food or water for 3 days. Two women gave birth on the train and another person died. Robin was at a relief center preparing items for the refugees. As soon as the refugees arrived to the Prague main train station they called over to the center frantically asking Robin to bring baby food, diapers, water, bread, cookies, and granola bars. Robin and others quickly loaded the cars and zoomed over to the station. They were met by the Prague fire department who helped them unload the cars.
It was amazing that 10 minutes before they got the call to quickly bring the baby food, a couple had come in and dropped off cases of baby food. Little did they know it was God’s perfect timing. It is a testimony to the fact that God hears the cries of the children and mothers. We were reminded of the tender care and love He has for children.”
After sharing these with our congregation on Sunday, a young lady came up to me after service to tell me she is a Ukrainian attending Grand Canyon University and her father is a pastor in Ukraine. I asked her where in Ukraine, and she said her dad is two hours southeast of Kiev. Though that sounds like one of the worst places to be, she said there haven’t been any bombings for the last week. Her father is spending each day driving people to the Moldovan border as the best way he can pastor in that community.
Here is what she wrote to Alec Seekins, the head of our missions department, after we connected with her father and sent funds to help him do the ministry God is calling him to:
“Alec, thank you for making all these things work and for navigating all this to help my dad. And I thank God for the unity of the body of Christ these days! What you’re doing has such a big value! Praise God for the Church and for His ministers. I can’t fully express my gratitude for the support of my people! It reminds me of the story when Aaron and Hur were supporting the hands of Moses during the battle with Amelek. Thank you for supporting the hands of people that got heavy! God bless you and your family and our Living Streams Church.”
We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on You Jesus. We have so many troubles in our world right now, but our eyes are on You, Jesus. We have so many troubles right here in our country and state and city, but our eyes are on You, Jesus. We have so many troubles in our families and in our own souls, but our eyes are on You, Jesus. If You stay still, help us to be still. If You move, help us move in step and stride with You. If You go, help us follow, even if it is scary or sacrificial. Thank You for loving us and loving this world. Let Your love be strong, strong enough to weather every trial or tempest.
David
P.S. If you are interested in sending some funds to the trustworthy missionaries we have positioned to really help in Ukraine you can give at livingstreams.org and add the comment “Aid for Ukraine” to the donation.