Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People
1. As BIEM posts these updates, Sam & Amy Slobodian are on their way back from Ukraine, where they ministered in camps and surveyed our war-relief efforts. They report that God has blessed this year’s camps with many saved! Furthermore, they share that a special blessing was having children and youth of families whose fathers are serving Ukraine in battle. Although Russian bombing and drone attacks continued while the Slobodians were at camp, only once did an attack come so close that the campers and leaders needed to run to the church basement for shelter. A bonus blessing was that their border crossings into and out of Ukraine were quick and smooth—just 1.5 hours each time.
2. Join us in praising God that our most recent container shipment of war-relief donations has arrived safely in Desna, Ukraine. The Slobodians were on hand when the container was joyfully opened. Soon, we will post a video and pictures of this exciting event on BIEM’s website.
3. Like other BIEM missionaries, Sasha and Ira Petrenko not only host a camp in their own area but also visit other communities to conduct Christian camps for the youth. In this video, titled "Sowing Seeds in Sokolivka," they talk about their most recent camp, where 100% of the children and teens came from military families at a nearby military base. With each child having a father and/or mother actively serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, these young people are keenly aware of the dangers, both to their country and their families, from Russia’s war against them. So, the Petrenkos conceived of this special camp in nearby Sokolivka to plant Gospel seeds in the minds of these kids from military homes. To watch, here’s the link:
https://vimeo.com/user37287229/sokolivka
4. Many of you have been praying for Vitaly Bilyak, who was conscripted into the Ukrainian army while enroute to the USA to promote the work of BIEM. Here are 3 updates from the Slobodians:
a. We were able to Facetime Vitaly from Ternopil while visiting the Koops. He is doing well and in good spirits. The whole unit of “volunteers” who were conscripted with him have been sent off for training, after which they will be sent to the war. Vitaly requests prayer that the Word of God he was able to intensely share with them will work in their hearts and lead to the salvation of these soldiers, many of whom will undoubtedly lose their lives defending Ukraine.
b. The next day, Vitaly’s son-in-law Sergiy Koop, Karina, and the two grandchildren were allowed to visit Vitaly for one hour.
c. We have not heard back concerning the joint, formal appeal the Brotherhood of Independent Baptist Churches and BIEM submitted to have Vitaly’s conscription reversed. If there is no response after 10 days, lawyers advised that we begin legal proceedings in a Ukrainian court. Please continue to pray that Vitaly will be exempted from military duty so that he can return to his family and ministry.
Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM