Help and the Gospel for Refugees near Odessa, Ukraine
This year our Ukraine team is focusing on the villages in the Odesa region. We operate Bible clubs for children in these places, and at the moment, there is a specific need for illustrated children’s Bibles and Bibles for adults in the Ukrainian language.
Marina’s family lived in the Donetsk region in Ukraine, but their life was uprooted when the war destroyed their home and much of their city. Marina and her four children fled while her husband reported for military duty.
Mother and children took refuge in one of the Odesa-region villages our team regularly visits. They had escaped the bombings with only a handful of personal items. We got to know them as they gratefully received the warm clothing, blankets, and necessities we offered.
Marina got a custodial job, but the pay wasn’t enough to support her and her children while her husband was fighting. We told her about Christ, and we gave them a New Testament and a children’s “Action Bible.” Marina has not lost hope despite all the tragedy and separation her family has experienced.
Maria, who lived near Kherson, Ukraine, also lost her home to missiles. She told us how she miraculously escaped by boat across the Dnepr River - all bridges had been destroyed - in the midst of warfare.
Maria could not take anything with her as she fled for her life. Upon arriving in the Odessa region, she started over from scratch.
We gave her clothes and a blanket and told her this gift from us was a testimony of God’s love for her. She could not hold back her tears; she was so grateful for the sincere attention from others.
