Crisis in Ukraine, but you can help…
With winter definitely here, how are you doing? Mona and I certainly experienced weather colder than usual. We were relieved that electricity, water and gas didn’t fail. Nor did internet.
For our friends in Ukraine, things are different. Katerina, Daniel and their two young children are Czech Christians who moved to Ukraine. Katerina now helps us “on the ground” with advice and coordination, while Daniel is involved in training church leadership, and chaplains in the army. For Katerina to be part of a zoom meeting, she has to go to a special place where there is more chance of a good internet connection. In her words: “Ukraine is facing one of its darkest winters, and the Church can be the light.”
“Ukraine is enduring one of the most difficult moments for civilians since the war began [now exactly four years ago]. Ongoing Russian attacks have damaged most power plants in the country, leaving families facing brutal winter conditions without reliable electricity.
“Last week temperatures dropped to 15 °F (-11 °C) during the day and as low as -4 °F (-20 °C) at night. Hundreds of thousands of people are now living without basic necessities: – no light, no running water, no functioning appliances and most critically, no heat. “In many regions, electricity is rationed to only 4-6 hours a day. Or not at all.”
Ongoing Russian attacks are leaving families without reliable electricity.
As followers of Christ, we are called to carry each other burdens (Gal 6:2). Because of this urgent need, we have decided to act and now want to respond to helping local churches with generators.
These generators are not only for church services, but especially to provide a warming shelter for elderly, parents and children in the community and to build caring relationships every day! (Almost like what a children’s camp does, but multi-generational.)
Generators save lives. They bring light, keep water running, run medical equipment and provide warmth into places surrounded by darkness.
Our goal to respond to this urgent need:
10 large generators - $1,500 each will provide a large diesel-powered generator.
The first two have already been sponsored. And of course, there is a need for many more than 10. At least 20! And smaller donations are welcome adding up towards one!
Local churches this way are empowered to reach out and be missional, together with you!
In a next letter, I will share about God’s blessings in 2025, but I thought this need cannot wait any longer. There still are months of cold to come. Especially in Ukraine. The urgency is great.
As Katarina puts is so well; “Please pray for Ukraine, and if you are able consider giving.
Together we can be God’s hands and feel.”
Hank
PS As an exception: no administrative fees will be withheld. So, 100% of your gift goes to provide these generators.
More that you can do:
Share this message with your friends on Facebook or other platforms.
Share this need with your small group or church?
Will you help bring warmth and hope to families in Ukraine today? Respond to the urgent need here.
A generator in the back of the car, ready to be installed and to the right of the generator Katerina, and an involved Ukrainian pastor and his wife.
