Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People
1. A brother in Christ named Roma was conscripted into the Ukrainian army from Desna. He is also one of the many soldiers who received warm thermal underwear and other war-relief items as aid. On a visit to home, Roma shared amazing stories about God’s protecting hand:
In Donetsk, he said, he and his unit were based in a multi-story building that was considered basically safe from enemy shelling. Roma was resting and began to pray. While praying, he sensed God telling him to evacuate his comrades from the building. At first, Roma brushed aside the thought as nerves. But when this feeling of urgency grew stronger, he did get everyone out. Within literally a few minutes, that damaged building collapsed. Not from an explosion, or enemy activity—simply because it could no longer bear its own weight. If anyone had remained inside, he wouldn’t have survived. Roma states this is how God reminds him that He is close, and that the church is praying for him. There were also two similar situations—Roma was in prayer and felt he should get everyone out, and in both instances missiles or drones smashed into the positions. Everyone thanked Roma, but he credits God with urging them out. He uses such moments to tell fellow soldiers about God.
2. For many years, BIEM has aided the orphanage in the town of Velike Polovetske, Ukraine. This month we received the following thank-you note from its Director, L. Melenchuk:
“I would like to express my great gratitude to our American friends who have been taking care of us for so many years. And thank you, Zhenya and Misha Buyko, for the charitable assistance provided to our children. Thank you for your charity, for your concern for orphans, children deprived of parental care, as well as children from unreliable and low-income families. I wish you all earthly blessings. May God always protect you; may good fortune accompany you; and may there always be kind compassionate people.”
3. BIEM has often mentioned our national missionaries who come to the U.S. to represent the mission in churches and to assist with war relief. But where do they live while in America? In this video, Vitaly and Olena Yurchenko give an inside peek at BIEM's guest accommodations while sharing some parting words before they flew back to Ukraine.
https://vimeo.com/user37287229/parting
4. As reported, our church planter Vitaly Bilyak was suddenly drafted into the Ukrainian army. There, he has steadfastly refused to bear arms or take another’s life. Despite that stance, Vitaly has found favor in the eyes of his commander, who assigns Vitaly to drive officers and wounded soldiers to various destinations—all in Vitaly’s personal 7-seat Chevy Captiva.
Meanwhile, Vitaly’s church-planter son-in-law, Sergiy Koop, badly needs a bigger vehicle since his tiny car will not accommodate him, Karina, and their 2 infant children in car seats. So, BIEM is initiating the following plan: Because Vitaly is in the army, he can buy a used car from Germany and have it brought in duty free. (This is a huge savings. Duty on imported vehicles can be 100%.) In turn, Vitaly would give his 7-seat vehicle to Sergiy and Karina. If we raise $5,000, it will not buy a new car, but it should provide Vitaly with a serviceable one. (Using Vitaly’s current military privilege in this way will not affect the court case to reverse his conscription into the military.) If any friends would like to contribute toward buying such a vehicle, you may designate your gift “Bilyak Auto.” If gifts surpass $5,000, the extra amount could purchase Vitaly a newer or better maintained vehicle. In any case, we will keep you all informed on developments.
Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM