Your Gifts to SGA Make the Difference After a Crushing Blow
Oleh S.
SGA-Supported Compassion Ministry in Ukraine
Thank you for your help! The people were touched by your care, as they have not received such wonderful help for a very long time. We were very careful to buy good quality food and hygiene products.
Most families nowadays cannot afford to buy even the most basic things like sausage or laundry detergent, and even in large sizes. So, thanks to your help, people felt loved. We are very grateful to all SGA partners for your generous help! Small churches and groups are where displaced families and people in need come, and we always try to show them attention, compassion, and the love of Christ!
Yuri and Maryna Lost Their Home—But Found Hope
One such family is that of Yuri, his wife Maryna, and their two sons—Mikhail (10) and Alexander (14). The family moved from the Donetsk region to Kropyvnytskyi at the beginning of the war. Their home took a direct hit from a Russian missile. The whole family attends a Bible study group in another village after being settled not far from the house where the Bible study meets. Both their sons have varying degrees of autism. However, the boys are quite social and have actively attended the group with their parents since 2022.
During this time, the family lost their property and their grandmother passed away. At the same time, they have developed friendships with all the members of the Bible study group. They learned about God and continue to study the Word of God. During the period of loss of a loved one, they experienced what a Christian family is, and how to support and bear each other’s burdens. They are still on the way to making the most important decision in their lives, but their hearts have become tender. They know the truth, believe in God, and know very well to Whom they need to go to receive salvation.
Maryna said, “Today we received a huge package of help from the Winter Warmth outreach. I want to sincerely thank everyone who supports us in this difficult time. The food and hygiene items we received are not only a material help that is so necessary for families who were forced to leave their homes, but also a great testimony of love and care of Christians and God Himself. We especially appreciate the fact that this support comes from people with whom we meet weekly for fellowship and study of the Word of God. We really appreciate these meetings because they inspire us not to lose hope and move on. The constant reminder from our mentors and the Bible that “God loves and will not leave you in trouble” really gives strength and works through His people!”
This is a great testimony and demonstration for us that God is indeed with us! Thank you for your open hearts, warm words and effective help! May the Lord bless you a hundredfold!”
Editor’s Note: Beginning this month, SGA will begin the process of using name spellings in the English alphabet that are relevant to a specific country rather than solely the Russian/English spellings that we have used for many years. The reason is that more former Soviet nations are reverting to their national languages although Russian is still spoken. There may be exceptions, for instance when a missionary pastor in a given country uses Russian/English spellings themselves. As always, our prayer is that we are able to best serve our brothers and sisters overseas as they share with us what God is doing through their ministries.