Editor’s Note: The image and story below were provided by an SGA-supported church network in Poland.

We thank God for our brothers and sisters in an SGA-supported church network in Poland. They are caring well for refugees who have fled Ukraine during the war! Pray for these saints of the Lord as they serve with joy and gladness and steward well the support that generous friends like you have provided through your generous giving.

Here is a brief report from Pastor Marek who oversees the churches . . .

These pictures are from [various Polish cities]], and from the warehouse in [a Polish city] where we are sending three or four truckloads a week mainly with food to Ukraine of course. Still in our centers for small and big refugees there are mainly women and children. They are waiting for the end of warfare in their country and the possibility to return to their fathers, husbands and sons (if they are still alive). We are constantly expanding the accommodation in the shelters and buying necessary things such as beds, as you can see on the pictures. Food is an everyday necessity. Lunches are usually delivered from catering and breakfasts and dinners are prepared by volunteers together with refugees. 

We have to make small repairs in our centers and maintain cleanliness. With so many people, especially children, it is a challenge. Many of the centers have coordinators that we support financially on a monthly basis. They have the responsibility of managing these places and planning everything that is necessary for the refugees to be safe there. These coordinators and volunteers provide health care (medical appointments), legal advice (documents, travel plans to other countries around the world) and documentation for children. Psychological care, spiritual care, help in getting a job, learning the language and many other activities that make up the daily life in such places. 

Washing machines that work around the clock and other household appliances break down. The biggest challenge at the moment are the bills for water, light, heating – gas, coal, etc. These bills are a challenge for every family that helps refugees and for each of our 80 or so refugee centers run by our church.

There is also a lot of travelling, i.e. driving refugees to new places/cities where they go to live and work, or for other reasons e.g. to the hospital, or to do paperwork at offices and embassies. It costs a lot of time and money, and the drivers usually have to be paid because they spend the whole day on these trips. Even if it is close, you have to wait in the office sometimes for several hours until the matter is settled, or when the doctor’s appointment is over. These are the kinds of things that these invaluable volunteer people are needed for, everyday things and everywhere. They are already a little or a lot tired. Yet we do not give up on our service and help. 

Tomorrow we are receiving more Christian literature in Ukrainian that will arrive in [a Polish city], this time for children. It will have to be sent to various places in the country. Today we are also sending four cartons with New Testaments to Latvia, where missionaries working with refugees are waiting for them to give to their charges. 

In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary, and SGA-sponsored Compassion Ministry. Be a part of God’s incredible work with your generosity and prayer support.

Your gift of compassion helps struggling people with emergency aid that generally includes Scripture materials, food, medicine, warm clothing, and shoes.