Western Churches celebrated Christ’s Resurrection a couple of days ago while Eastern Orthodox Churches celebrate this week. In the Russian language the word for Sunday is Resurrection. So every time the day of the week is mentioned, the Lord’s Resurrection is remembered. Let us celebrate and proclaim everyday that Jesus is alive! His resurrection power is in us to destroy the power of sin and death and to give us eternal life.

We, as believers and followers of Christ, are Givers of Hope in a world where many are hurt and have lost hope. When we share what Jesus Christ has done in our lives we give others the hope that He can do the same in and for them. This hope precedes and leads to faith in Christ. As Paul said, let us be “not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…” but boldly proclaim Him.

Jesus Christ is The Answer to those who are seeking. He is The Savior to those who are lost.  He’s is The Healer to those who are sick and afflicted. “He is the same yesterday, today and forever.” His power has not changed. His love has not changed. His will has not changed. What He has done for others He can and will do for you. He suffered and died for you and for the entire world. He has loved you with an everlasting love!

As we celebrate God’s goodness to us, let us also remember the persecuted Church around the world. And those who are in conflict zones. I am preparing to make another journey to Ukraine to help the suffering in this war-torn nation. A few days ago I met with Bishop Anatoliy from the Donetsk Region to discuss the needs there. More than 20 church buildings were taken over by rebels. Some of the churches he oversees have gone underground due to persecution in the conflict zones. There is a temporary truce but many are fleeing due to the fear of war restarting. His city of 70,000 has 21,000 refugees with many more going through and continuing on to other cities. As many as 400 refugees have been housed nightly at his church. A story that has been repeated many times: people take shelter in a basement during the night of shelling and when they come out there is no home to go back to. They flee with the clothes on their backs, sometimes in a robe and slippers. A story that stuck with me was one of Anna (not her real name), a 20 year old mother who recently showed up at his church looking for help. He noticed that she was holding a very small newborn child in a thin dirty blanket. When asked, she explained the baby was just born the day prior in a bomb shelter. They took her and the baby to a hospital and then helped them to get to relatives in another town.

Many of the refugees are finding Christ. These people are given not only food, clothing, bedding, and a place to stay but also the message of the God’s saving grace and are prayed for. Bishop Anatoliy shared with me that about 90% of those coming through his church are receiving Jesus Christ into their lives.

We need to proclaim Christ with our words as well as with our deeds.  People are suffering with hunger in the war zones. There are over a million displaced persons. They come to people like Bishop Anatoliy or Bishop Vasiliy for food and temporary lodging. People leave with what they can carry – sometimes just what they are wearing. We have been providing blankets for $10 each and grocery bags for $5 as well as funds for clothing and housing. The weather is improving so the blankets are less crucial now. But the cost of groceries has recently doubled in the devalued local currency, so food is becoming one of the biggest needs. People all over Ukraine are helping but they are exhausting the supplies in their pantries and they too are getting hit with high costs of food and transportation.

Don’t let me go empty handed. I would like to carry your help to the people of Ukraine. $50 can buy 10 grocery bags to feed 10 families for about a week. $100 can buy 20 grocery bags. For the cost of a cup of coffee you can feed a family for almost a week. You can mail in your support or use your Credit/Debit Card through PayPal. Your support is crucial.

Thank you in advance for your generous support!

Yours on behalf of this generation,

Walter and Nina Zygarewicz