Update from Ukraine
(Pastors / Missions Leaders: A printable .pdf can be found HERE.)
22 April 2022
As of this morning, the Ukraine Relief Fund has received donations totaling $515,138.35. Thank you so much for your sacrificial giving to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine who are suffering so much as a result of the war! You can be certain that within days of receiving your gift, it is sent directly to local pastors, regional and national leaders, and partners helping the displaced. In addition to the obvious goal of providing shelter, food, care, and necessities to the victims - we seek to strengthen the local church in the Ukrainian communities where they serve. 
This week we were able to send funds to the Union of the Evangelical Free Church in Sweden to assist in the transportation and support of displaced people from Poland to Stockholm, where they are connected with supportive churches and families. In addition, we were able to support All4Aid, a front-line refugee relief agency working in Romania, and with our own Global Workers in Moldova. The are doing a great work with Ukrainians who have fled the war, and are working long-term to build reconciliation between Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking people, who these days have understandable hurdles to overcome!
I'd like to share a video update I received today from my friend Vasily Gutsalo. Vasily works with Community Bible Studies ministries as a national leader for both Ukraine and Kazakhstan. He also pastors a church in the suburbs of Kyiv. He and his family were forced to flee when the Russians bombarded and occupied their city. He recently returned. Converge has sent relief funds to him that he has used to purchase supplies for displaced and homeless people since he returned to Kyiv last week. 
Vasily shared a powerful video today that I found so moving that I knew I wanted to share it with you. Click "Positives of war??" photo to view it..
One of our greatest concerns is that we may "grow weary in well doing." As the war continues, and the news becomes part of the background noise of our lives, we have a tendency to dismiss the need, or allow our attention to be distracted. Please do not allow this to happen to you! The need is great! Millions are homeless, traumatized, grieving the death of family members and separated from those the love. Children and wives have fled and left their husbands, fathers, and sons behind. Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ! Pray especially for the pastors who labor to serve their suffering flock, even as they themselves are grieving and broken. Pray for national and international leaders to find a way to bring peace to Ukraine. Pray that God will redeem this horrible event for His glory.
To give a first time gift, or to give again, click the link below:
