FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
Greetings! It’s no exaggeration to say that 2022 has turned out to be a year unlike anything we have seen before or could have imagined.
In November-December 2021, most of us were optimistically thinking that one crisis (Covid-19) was finally in our rear-view mirrors. But then we watched in slow-motion horror as Russia’s military buildup on Ukraine’s borders turned into an invasion last February, plummeting the world into yet another crisis.
No one could have predicted the extent of the suffering the Ukrainian people would have to endure in 2022, just like no one could have predicted their
resolve and resiliency in the face of the Russian bear.
Over the past year, the world learned a great deal about Ukraine, its people, where to find it on a map, and its inspirational President. Without a doubt, Volodymyr Zelensky is the President Ukraine needed “for such a time as this.”
We also learned that HART’s ability to respond to the most urgent needs on the ground during this conflict – was second to none. How were we able to do this? Twenty-five years of working alongside local churches resulted in an established network of partners throughout Ukraine.
Along with God’s faithful hand leading and guiding us to where the needs were greatest, we immediately began the process of channeling funds to our network of partner churches throughout Ukraine, so they could adequately respond to the onslaught of refugees arriving at their churches day and night. In every sense of the phrase, HART was also designed “for such a time as this.”
Our ability to work efficiently and effectively in blessings churches with funds saved many lives and restored hope during this crisis in Ukraine. One Pastor shared this with us just last week: “Thank you for your service and dedication to Ukraine. You are doing so much for our nation.” Pastor Andriy – Grace Baptist Church, Rivne.
But this could not have happened without YOU!
HART’s community in Canada and the USA responded to this tragedy with extraordinary compassion, love, and generosity. We could feel your prayer support, and we appreciated each and every encouraging letter/note/email you sent to the office in support of our work. How you responded to the financial needs in Ukraine throughout the year – was truly inspiring and humbling.
Your gifts allowed the local churches throughout Ukraine to demonstrate God’s love in a myriad of practical ways to tens of thousands of refugees, seniors, children, youth, and families. As a result, churches all over Ukraine have experienced remarkable growth throughout 2022. YOU are helping write this marvelous story.
Greetings! we are so grateful that you are with us on this mission – providing help and hope for those in their darkest hours. We pray this war will end soon, and together with local Ukrainian churches, you and I, and HART’s community, will be on the ‘front lines’ of rebuilding Ukraine, one community at a time. Rich blessings to you and your family!
MATCHING GIFT – RESULTS
Dec 1-15, 2022 matching gift opportunity
Dec 16-31, 2022 matching gift opportunity
…for your generous hearts!
HERE IS WHAT YOU HELPED US ACCOMPLISH IN 2022
Financial Support to churches
We funded our partner churches throughout the country, helping them serve tens of thousands of refugees with food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and medicines.
Distribution “hub” centers
Distribution centers were set up with humanitarian relief aid brought in from Europe and dispersed to partner churches all over Ukraine.
Food Trucks
HART coordinated truckloads of food from warehouses in Poland into the conflict zones in Ukraine, where grocery stores no longer existed.
Purchased 30+Ambulances
Because hospitals are being targeted by the Russian military, these ambulances or “hospitals on wheels” are providing emergency medical care for civilians and soldiers throughout the war zone regions.
Purchased 35+ Vans
These vans are critical for the distribution of relief aid and food for 10’s of thousands of people and for evacuating civilians from war zones.
Provided Drinking Water
HART coordinated the delivery of drinking water for communities near the conflict zones whose water supplies had been cut off by Russian shelling.
Evacuated Orphans
HART created safe “hubs” for orphanages in Western Ukraine until we could secure locations in Europe to evacuate the children.
Food Packages
With our network of partner churches, HART facilitated the distribution of 10s of thousands of food packages to people affected by this war.
Summer Camps
HART-supported summer ‘day camps’ helped thousands of children begin to heal from the trauma of war by getting to know God in Bible lessons, having fun with friends, singing, praying, and playing sports.
Soup Kitchens
HART facilitated the feeding of 10s of thousands of people in the conflict areas. Soup kitchens are set up in churches, on the streets, and in underground bomb shelters.
First Aid kits & Armor Vests
We had thousands of life-saving First Aid Kits produced in Poland and shipped to Ukraine. The military, civilians, and chaplains requested these. We also purchased body armor for Ambulance medical personnel.
Food Production
Your support helped us partner with and fund several churches whose focus was on producing food for refugees, civilians, and soldiers in the war zones.
CURRENT PRIORITIES
HERE IS WHAT YOU ARE HELPING US ACCOMPLISH NOW
As we all know, the Russian military has been targeting Ukraine’s infrastructure, leaving millions of Ukrainians without heat, power, water, and not enough food. They are facing their most challenging winter in recent history.
President Zelensky recently said, “Generators are as important as armor in helping Ukraine survive Vladimir Putin’s energy terror this winter.”
Winterization process: Our current focus is to assist the Ukrainian people to survive this winter as best as possible. Thanks to you – we are helping accomplish this by providing the following:
Generators – firewood – food for refugees – fuel for transportation – coal and wood burning heaters – clothing, thermal underwear, blankets – hygiene kits – purchase of medicines – portable power stations – housing rent for refugees – propane heating elements for cooking – support for Church heating and electrical costs.
We also continue to financially support our church partners, enabling them to provide food, shelter, clothes, and medicines for refugees and the elderly.
Generators and power stations
Your support helped us purchase generators and power sources from Poland and Germany. To date, we are in the process of distributing the following:
- 30+ mobile generators (US $ 2,000 – 7,000) of varying sizes and strengths,
depending on the need of the church, orphanage, or foster home. - 35+ Power Stations (US $ 1,000-1,500)
- 50 propane heating elements (US$ 100-200)
Propane heating elements used for cooking and providing some heat.
“Power Stations” are used for charging devices and even heating rooms.
PRAYER POINTS
Here are specific prayer points that can help guide our prayers for the situation in Ukraine. Please share these with your friends and family:
- Pray for and ask to see God’s glory amid this great struggle. God often uses dire situations to draw people to himself. Pray that He would be glorified through the people of Ukraine who are following him.
- Pray for God’s peace to be a source of strength for the thousands of Ukrainian workers/volunteers who will have opportunities to share with others about God’s love.
- Pray for God’s protection over Christian volunteers. Ask God for their physical and spiritual protection — ask Him to help people seek the truth during the conflict.
- Ask God for comfort. Many families lost fathers, sons, and loved ones during this tragic war. Millions have been uprooted from their homes. Their world has been turned upside down.
- Ask God to intervene. Pray for wisdom for world leaders. Pray that God would move in their hearts and guide their steps and plans.
- Pray for President Zelensky and the leaders of Ukraine to know God’s truth and peace and be transformed by his Holy Spirit so that they would seek to lead their country in the way of peace.
- Ask that this conflict would open doors of opportunities for the gospel. Pray that He would make his name known across Ukraine, Russia, and all the European countries that refugees are fleeing to due to this conflict.
