ARDF Selects Additional Partners in Ukraine
Refugees fleeing west are welcomed at the Christian Training Center for Success in Ternopil, Ukraine
“People are so thankful that they can have food, a warm shower and a good night of sleep.” - Ivan Papish, Ternopil Christian Training Center
Ukraine and Poland
Russia invaded Ukraine last month. Collectively the world has looked on in horror as cities have been bombed, schools, hospitals, and apartment buildings destroyed. Millions of people - mostly women and children - have been forced to flee their homes. In just three weeks, the war has created almost 3 million refugees! That is why ARDF is funding partners addressing the growing refugee crisis.
ARDF has been overwhelmed by the generous support of donors across North America who want to help. We have been equally encouraged by the number of you who know people in Ukraine doing amazing work to help the refugees. Thank you.
This week we send funds to four additional partners. We are grateful for their tireless, courageous work, on the ground, under incredibly difficult circumstances.
Ternopil Christian Training Center for Success
Located in Ternopil, Ukraine, the Center quickly pivoted from a training center to a way-station for Ukrainians fleeing west. They are providing food, rest, and a good night sleep. The center recently installed a second shower and additional laundry facilities to meet the needs of their guests. They even bring in a professional masseuse to help alleviate the stress and tension of the long journey! Wow.
On March 14th, Ivan Papish, the Center’s director wrote, “We are still receiving refugees every night and the number is about the same: 50-60 people. Now most of the people that are coming are people that were evacuated from cities and villages that were under attack. Because of this we had to buy and install one more shower, one more washing machine and a dryer. People are so thankful that they can have food, a warm shower and a good night of sleep.”
Staff at the center pray for the refugees, proclaiming the Gospel and encouraging them to trust in Jesus as they continue on their journey.
Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope is a faith-based nonprofit organization with a driving passion to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreach, and disaster response. They try to be one of the first people on the scene after a crisis. More importantly, they aim to be the last to leave.
Convoy of Hope’s team members and partners in Poland are providing emergency relief and shelter for refugees. They are also unloading pallets of supplies for distribution in Ukraine. As the war displaces more civilians, Convoy of Hope is finding additional ways to provide emergency relief and expect to eventually be operational in eight countries.
Refugees are arriving with that ‘thousand-yard stare,’ according to Chris Dudley of Convoy’s Disaster Services team. He reports that, “The stories that Ukrainians are telling when they come over the border are getting increasingly worse every day,”
Convoy of Hope is collaborative by nature, upholding the dignity of those they serve. For example, refugees who have received help eagerly “pass it on” to others in ways big and small. When Convoy of Hope secured a warehouse for supplies, a group of recent refugees helped prepare it for incoming supplies.
Operation Blessing
Operation Blessing is helping Ukrainians by providing food, water, and generators and fuel. One of the supplied generators has been placed in a church so the community can use it. They are providing emergency relief and supplies to families and individuals in the cities of Kiev and Krasnohorivka. They are committed to staying in Ukraine as long as possible.
“We are here with our Operation Blessing Disaster relief team on the ground in Poland, near to the Medyka border with Ukraine. We operate a warehouse where we receive containers with relief goods, which we distribute both in Ukraine as well as in Poland to the churches and refugee centres. We have an outpost at Medyka, where we serve refugees with hot meals, hot beverages, blankets, hygiene items and a space to rest and recover. We also set up a room for the children in one of the large refugee centres in the area, where children can come and play in a safe and friendly environment. We are networking with churches in the region to further understand the need, and stay committed long term to provide relief.” - Update from Mark Dijkens, Regional Director on March 14th.
Bridges of Faith
Bridges of Faith has a limited ministry in Ukraine focused on rescuing Ukrainian children who are already in the process of adoption. They are traveling the country to get these children to safety so they can be reunited with their adoptive families.
We have been inspired by the work of these partners - all new to ARDF. We recognize the stress they are under. Please join us in praying for the staff and volunteers of these organizations as well as the Ukrainians they are serving.
Almighty God, we pray for the church in Ukraine, a nation in which 70% of the population call themselves Christian. Give our many brothers and sisters in that nation courage in this crisis that they may proclaim the good news of your kingdom, bind up broken hearts, and bring comfort to all who mourn.
This excerpt is from a longer prayer.
Read More Blogs By ARDF
