Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People
1. A Christian brother from the church in Desna, Ukraine, has been in the army since the Russian invasion in 2022. With aid from BIEM, the church has provided Roma with thermal underwear and other supplies. The last time Roma was permitted to go home for a rest, he tearfully shared a story of God’s protection: While walking toward a target on the front line, Roma and his brothers-in-arms heard a buzzing sound overhead. It was an enemy drone. The drone dropped a grenade, which thudded to the ground among them. They dropped to the ground, and Roma jumped atop a comrade to shield him. Roma also blurted a prayer. Then—nothing. By God’s mercy, the device failed to explode. The men heaved themselves to their feet and hurried forward. Roma misses Christian fellowship, but he tells his comrades-in-arms about God, and the Lord can work through a believer’s words and actions.
2. In Ternopil, Ukraine, BIEM church-planter Sergiy Koop says, “I’m in regular contact with two soldiers. From afar, I try to uphold them and provide them with spiritual care. There are few Christians [in their unit], and morally it’s very difficult for them. Last week, our church sent them a large batch of camouflage nets. We deliver these nets through soldiers who are connected to the church. Such actions provide a powerful form of evangelism. After receiving such helpful supplies, soldiers are more open and more inclined to pray and give thanks together. Please pray that God will give us strength and wisdom in supporting our soldiers.”
3. In the city of Desna, Ukraine, BIEM missionaries Sergei Anokhin and Sasha Krapchuk thank the mission’s supporters for caring, sharing, praying, and providing for their hurting homeland. Please listen to how your generosity is touching lives and what kinds of needs are ongoing...
https://vimeo.com/user37287229/thanks-for-love
4. On October 9, Heritage Baptist Church of Frankfort, Illinois, blessed BIEM in a special way: Their church had held a drive to collect new or lightly used clothing for BIEM’s upcoming shipment of war relief for Ukraine. So, the pastor and 10 church members came as a group to deliver personally the 85 boxes of clothes that they had gathered, inspected, sorted, packed into cartons, and labeled. As if that weren’t blessing enough, the group also gave us a large batch of empty cardboard boxes (which we always need!), along with many wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical supplies. Then they spent hours working to sort, box, and seal all the other donated clothes that have been piling up in our warehouse. A couple of them even volunteered to prepare envelopes for our calendar mailing. The day was a huge blessing, and we publicly thank again everyone who came and invested their time for the ministry!
Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM