Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People
1. The pastor of the church in Lutsk, Ukraine, shared this with us: This week we had our monthly meeting with people who are united by one tragedy—war. Some of them have lost loved ones—parents, husbands, children—while others were left destitute, without homes, money, property, or jobs and were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in our city and our church.
The last meeting was based on the story of Job and his family’s suffering. We understand how important it is for these people to find spiritual support at such times. During the discussion, everyone had the opportunity to warm up with hot tea and cookies. At the end of the meeting, everyone received gifts of food. (Most of these people live in conditions where it’s not possible to cook a full meal.) We feel the need to hold such meetings more often, both to offer spiritual support and to assist them with food, hygiene products, and other household items. Unfortunately, prices are constantly rising. We would be grateful for your continued prayer and financial support for this ministry.
2. BIEM is thankful to the Lord and to friends in South Carolina for a special gift we received yesterday, on October 16. One couple had learned of an opportunity to obtain over 100 high-quality, stackable auditorium chairs in excellent condition for FREE. In addition, the same company that was phasing out the chairs also offered quite a few excellent-condition, solid tables with removable legs. Praise the Lord, that couple asked if they could receive all these chairs and tables to donate to BIEM, and that request was granted! Next, another couple volunteered to help pack all these items into a trailer and haul them to us, over 550 miles. Today, all these items are already loaded onto the 40-ft. container of aid we’re shipping to Ukraine next week. The chairs especially are an answer to prayer: The church in Bucha, Ukraine, has grown quickly. According to our church planter, Sergei Anokhin, they don’t have enough chairs to seat everyone coming. Worshipers are standing throughout the services. So, he has been praying specifically for God to provide chairs for the congregation—and God has answered!
3. Many friends of BIEM have been praying for our church planter, Vitaly Bilyak, since he was suddenly conscripted into the Ukrainian military. In a video interview, his son-in-law Sergiy Koop (also a BIEM church planter) joins Sam Slobodian to give an update on Vitaly’s situation. You can see that video here:
https://vimeo.com/user37287229/vb-update
4. The church in Desna operates a variety of evangelistic outreaches. The war has affected many of the members and friends who attend there. Here’s a recent example: After a Christian man from Cherkasy was called up for military duty and sent to Desna for training, he began attending this church. While there, he learned that his brother-in-law had been killed. His sister—the widow—has 4 children, all of whom are quite young. To help her out, the church in Desna collected many useful household items. This is just one more example of this church’s continuing generous spirit in a time when so many have needs. The church also tries to evangelize the many newly conscripted men who get sent to the training facility in Desna. However, many of these new recruits are sent their forcibly, against their will, and are resentful of it. Such men are very difficult to evangelize. So, the church requests prayer for all of Ukraine and specifically for the mission field right around them.
Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM