15 million people are now refugees— about 7 Million outside the country and 8 Million dispersed throughout Ukraine. 20% of Ukraine’s territory is occupied including Crimea.
After 100 days of war…
there is a tendency to put this on the back burner, and add it to the list of needs around the world. We can forget the war is still raging and people are still being killed, and many are losing their homes and their livelihood. The magnitude of this need is beyond most people’s imagination. 15 million displaced, families separated, 20% of territory occupied (including Crimea), and daily artillery, bombs, rockets are raining down on people. Their schools, hospitals and homes are being obliterated on a mass scale. This crisis is of epic proportions. About 15 million persons are now refugees – about 7 Million are outside the country and 8 Million are dispersed throughout Ukraine. Many long to return to their homes and reunite with their families but cannot. Some of the ones who did, had to leave again as bombs and rockets began to rain on them.
People would like to return to their homes but cities are hit again…
As I’m writing, 5 rockets hit the left bank of Kiev, damaging train infrastructure. The Russian forces have been pushed back from Kharkiv, even up to the Russian border. People have been returning to Kiev, and some to Kharkiv. Now they are perplexed if not terrorized. Mykolaiv has been under relentless attacks. Today Pastor Igor had metal bomb fragments hit his windows. The apartment building across the street from church was hit. The ship building area of town was hit and caught fire. Severodonetsk has become almost another Mariupol. The people in occupied towns are being forced into submission to the occupying overlords but most are resisting. Pastors from this city and others in the Donbas have had to evacuate their families while they continue to risk their lives to help the needy and evacuate as many as they can.
Some might say, “I gave, I did my part and now I can go on with my life.”
Thank you for what you have done! You have made a difference in the lives of many. Your help has met a critical need. Unfortunately, the needs continue. There are more unemployed and underemployed persons due to the destruction of factories and damaged infrastructure. In the beginning some people were doing ok and shared their food and supplies. Now these same people are needing help. Some may callously say, “Why should I be concerned? This war is far from me.” Others may say, “I don’t know these people, and there are many other needs.” It is true that there are many needs around the world and as much as we try, we cannot meet everyone of them. But we must try to do what we can. If one member of the body of Christ suffers the whole body suffers. Jesus said “…as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to me”. Mat. 25:40
Don’t get used to our pain…
Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska, stated “Don’t get used to our pain and grief.” As the news of the war leaves the front pages, people begin to forget the urgency and the extent of this humanitarian catastrophe. People begin to get used to the pain and suffering that is occurring on a daily basis in Ukraine and its people who were left dislodged from their homes and their families. Perhaps it is human nature to respond with urgency to a need upon first knowledge of a horrific event. This happened in 2014 when Russia first stated war in the Donbas Region and annexed Crimea. The war never really stopped but it just left the front pages of the news.
Wheat that feeds millions…
Ukraine produces a lot of wheat and other grains. Many areas cannot be farmed due to the war. Some farms are mined. It is reported that Russian forces stole some 400,000 tons of wheat from Ukraine. A large portion of wheat and other crops are stuck in Ukraine and cannot be exported as their ports are blockaded by Russia. This will affect nations who depend on this wheat to feed their people. Wheat that is exported in Summer is planted in February and March – some of it was not possible to plant. This wheat is depended on by nations in North Africa and South Asia. Now, people in other nations may suffer. The war is far away, but it is affecting people far off.
Please continue to pray for Ukraine. And if you are able, please continue to support the needy there. You may never meet these people you have helped here on earth, but one day they will come to you in heaven and thank you for helping the pastors and volunteers be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.
| Every time we speak with our partners in Ukraine they express deep appreciation for your prayers. Many have told of not having the strength to pray for themselves under the heavy oppression of war. Your prayers make a difference! Let’s pray together live M-F at 10AM PST or through the recordings. We give updates and lift up specific needs in Ukraine, needs in the world, and those you send us. See schedule for broadcast language: English: MON, WED, & THU • Russian: TUE • Spanish: FRI |
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