Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People
1. In Ternopil, Ukraine, Sergiy Koop tells of a Christian man who had lived in the eastern town of Kostyantynivka. A Russian shahed drone struck his yard. The explosion caused him serious multiple shrapnel wounds, fractures of both legs, and a punctured lung. Caring people rushed him to a hospital in Dnipro, where doctors operated and managed to stabilize his condition. Yesterday, he was transported to Ternopil for further treatment and rehabilitation. Although the man did not want to leave his home, the situation forced him to leave. He is currently under medical supervision, and his family and church are hopeful for a successful recovery. Using aid from BIEM, believers of the Koops’ Choose Life Baptist Church are assisting this victim and his wife. Sergiy adds, “We are very grateful for the help and ask you to pray for his recovery!”
2. Also from Ternopil: “A brother in our church serves as both an army officer and combat medic. He serves on the front lines. His tasks often involve great risk to his life, as he pulls wounded comrades out of the line of fire and renders First Aid. During one mission, a difficult situation arose. While pulling the wounded out of the landing zone, necessity forced him to remove his bulletproof vest to work the guys’ chests and save their lives. At the instant of evacuation, there was no time left. To save himself, he had to leave the bulletproof vest behind. It was impossible to go back for it.
“When our brother shared this need, we appealed to BIEM for help. Thanks to their quick response and sincere desire to support us, we were able to purchase a new bulletproof vest. This was a real blessing and tangible answer to prayer. We are extremely grateful to BIEM for the mission’s sacrifice, sensitivity, and willingness to help with such important and practical needs. Their assistance is not merely material support; it is a testimony of brotherly love in Christ that saves lives.”
3. In the Western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, BIEM worker Sergiy Koop rejoices for multiple reasons: because of his new congregation’s larger, more spacious location; because of souls coming to the Lord; and because children and teens are coming to services out of their personal desire to be there... The fact that over 40,000 refugees from Russia’s invasion were resettled there played a huge role in Sergiy’s heartfelt desire to start a new church in this district. With aid from BIEM, the church is not only functioning but reaching out to those refugees in various ways. To hear directly from Sergiy in his own words, you may click the following link:
https://vimeo.com/user37287229/more-fruit
4. Vitaly Bilyak has been transferred to a different military location, where there is a total of 115 such men who refuse to take the military oath, to bear arms, or to wear military uniforms. Most of these are pastors; some are deacons. Ordinary church members may perform military service when called up; however, Ukrainian congregations typically hold negative views of pastors doing so. This week, Vitaly led a service that 40 of these men attended. He’s still waiting to find out what’s going to happen to him (as are all the others). Please keep praying that his conscription would be reversed. In the meantime, he feels upbeat and says he is exactly where God wants him to be. He busies himself by sharing the gospel and giving out New Testament and gospel literature. They’ve had some rainy days, so until yesterday, all their clothes were wet. But yesterday the weather dried sufficiently for them to hang their clothing out to dry, so they’re doing much better in that regard. Tomorrow, Sergiy Koop plans to visit him, so we should receive more details after that visit. (Internet service is poor in Vitaly’s current location. Also, the military permits these men only limited access to their cell phones, which is a downside of the new situation.) ~ Newsflash! Vitaly just now let us know that he is being permitted a 2-day pass to go home. Praise God!
Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM