Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People
1. Pasha Usach, together with a team from his church, visited the frontline areas of the Kherson region. The situation there is extremely difficult: from April to September practically no rain fell, so hardly anything grew. Therefore, using finances from BIEM’s War Relief Fund, Pasha and fellow church members purchased a huge load of potatoes and filled a rented semi to haul them to Kherson. The team also carried donated clothing and other necessary supplies, which became an immensely appreciated support for the locals. We sincerely thank the Lord for each one of you who made this ministry possible by your donations to War Relief.
2. A Ukrainian pastor named Sergei Kostin has repeatedly delivered aid to his countrymen, driving through areas of gunfire at risk to his life. However, in the Kherson region a Russian FPV drone struck the minivan he always used to ferry supplies. Unfortunately, because of the severity of the damage to the vehicle, he has lost his ability to deliver aid directly to the homes. But even if his vehicle had not been targeted, Russian encroachment into the area would have made further deliveries too dangerous. (Some of you might recognize Brother Kostin's name as the same pastor whose granddaughter lost one leg when Russian artillery shells blasted their home. Since that time, he has continued to minister to others undergoing trials due to the war and related conditions.)
3. Unexpectedly drafted into the Ukrainian army, BIEM’s Vitaly Bilyak continues to serve the Lord while fulfilling the requirements of his commanding officer. Lately, that officer has increasingly assigned Vitaly to duty driving injured soldiers to the hospital and officers to various locations. Although such chores could be mundane, Vitaly uses his vehicle and these assignments to share God’s Word with a captive audience! In this brief video, he brings an update in his own words…
https://vimeo.com/user37287229/steering
4. Two days ago, on November 19, deadly Russian attacks on the city of Ternopil were the worst in the western part of Ukraine since Moscow’s full invasion in 2022. According to news reports, at least 26 people are known to have been killed (including three children) in a Russian missile and drone attack that struck two apartment buildings. Over 140 others were wounded in the attack, and still others are missing. Neighboring regions were also struck. A member of one of our Ternopil churches lives next door to one of the demolished apartment buildings. In addition, our church planter Sergiy Koop personally knows the manager of one destroyed complex. Because of that connection, Sergiy is receiving numerous requests for specific items as aid. The church is busy meeting victims’ needs and plans to do more as funds become available. Please consider donating to our War Relief fund, which we use in situations like this. Although such events are tragic and horrific, they do provide opportunities for believers to demonstrate Christian compassion on victims and to share the Gospel. Please pray for believers rendering aid and for the victims.
Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM