Ukraine at War Update 28

Greetings! one of the highlights at our office in Calgary are regular ZOOM meetings with HART’s staff in Lviv, Ukraine. Despite some language barriers, it is always a delightful time of laughter, prayer, discussion, strategies, occasional tears, and encouragement on both sides. And sometimes even shock. Like, several weeks ago, when we asked our Ukraine team how many of them were without heat, light, and water in their apartments or homes – seven out of seven hands went up!

Ukraine is facing a winter humanitarian crisis caused by the relentless Russian bombing of its energy infrastructure. The attacks are killing civilians and leaving millions of people, including our staff – without the basics of heat, electricity, or water.

But, despite air raid sirens, and difficult living conditions, our Ukraine team is grateful to be working with HART and making a difference in the lives of people in their country as they endure this awful war together.

The resolve and resiliency of the Ukrainian people is inspiring and critical to the war effort’s success.

Another common theme we hear from our staff in Ukraine and among HART’S Church and Ministry partners…is this plea, “Please do not get tired of praying for Ukraine…because we need your prayers, we appreciate them, and we feel your support.”

PLEASE DO NOT GET TIRED OF PRAYING FOR UKRAINE!

 

CURRENT GREATEST NEEDS

President Volodymyr Zelensky recently said, “Generators are as important as armor in helping Ukraine survive Vladimir Putin’s energy terror this winter.”

HART’s objective is to help resource our partner churches as they serve their communities during this winter of war. We are accomplishing this in two ways. HART is providing our partner churches with funds to purchase items like those listed below. Additionally, we are buying many of these materials, including generators in Poland, and bringing them to Ukraine for distribution to churches.

The list below will give you an idea of our church partners’ greatest needs during these winter months.

• Generators – fuel for transportation – firewood – coal and woodburning heaters – clothing – thermal underwear – medicines – food for refugees – portable power banks/stations – propane heating elements – church heating/electrical costs – evacuation assistance (transportation expenses) – housing rent for refugees and the restoration of official documents for refugees.

Thanks for working alongside us over the past ten months of this war as we provide help and hope to thousands impacted by this tragedy in Ukraine. If you feel led to take advantage of the MATCHING GIFT opportunity until the end of December, our humble thanks on behalf of our Church partners throughout Ukraine.

Together, we are… changing hearts – restoring hope
– and saving lives during this crisis in Ukraine.

 

LIFE IN LIBERATED KHERSON

 

---

ZHENYA REPORTS from the Kherson region:

Thanks to HART supporters, we purchased gas cylinders, gas stoves, household cleaning supplies, warm blankets, flashlights, and food; and I had the privilege of delivering these to the recently liberated villages of Chornobaivka, Muzykivka, Komyshany, and Posad-Pokrovske (all adjacent to Kherson City).

These folks who experience missile attacks daily and live without light and heat were extremely happy to receive the items/supplies they needed most. And more importantly, they extended heartfelt thanks to us (HART) for remembering them and not abandoning them during such a difficult time.

Sadly, almost 90% of the church members in the village of Chornobaivka were forced to leave their village due to the life-threatening situation under Russian occupation. Only the main part of the church team, Pastor Serhii and his wife and two families, remained. Nevertheless, 120 local residents now attend church meetings. This local Baptist Church is the only religious community in the village where people can receive material and spiritual help.

Because I am from Kherson myself, it breaks my heart to see how much pain and suffering is being endured by people in and around this city.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank each of you for helping us support these brothers and sisters in Christ. May God richly bless you.

– Zhenya – HART ‘s Program Coordinator

 

‘CAROL OF THE BELLS’ IS UKRAINIAN!

 

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Ask God to intervene. Pray for wisdom for world leaders. Pray that God would move in their hearts and guide their steps and plans.
6. 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.
7. 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.