Here is yet another report from one of our faithful SGA-supported pastors in Ukraine — Vitaly. These faithful men and their families are standing fast in these challenging days and holding forth the Gospel to all. They are our heroes of the faith. 

Through SGA’s Ukraine Heat and Hope Campaign, friends like you have given so that Vitaly and other pastors in Ukraine can distribute simple stoves to hurting people in their communities. Vitaly shares how these devices are delivering emergency warmth at just the right time when the weather is the coldest in Ukraine.  

Please pray for each family you see mentioned and pictured here. We ask God to use each stove to rescue people in desperate need . . . and to warm their hearts with the hope of the Gospel for all who receive Jesus as Lord! Read more from Vitaly below and see videos of these stoves in action. 

From Vitaly: 

“We are very thankful to you for your timely support and for the wood stoves, which are a direct response to the needs of our people, affected by the war and the related economic and power crisis. Due to the war, many houses were destroyed by shelling, many people have become IDPs [internally displaced persons]. We are meeting the needs of people in our city, as well as those who have been displaced, and at the same time sharing the Gospel. Particularly in our city, there are not many houses damaged during the war. But there were multiple hits by missiles on the power infrastructure. This caused frequent power outages.  

“First of all, the suffering includes those whose houses have been heated by electric boilers and also gas heaters — they do not work without electricity. It’s winter now, so the issue of warmth in the houses is very important, as well as having something to cook on. The stoves you sent are a response to the most urgent basic needs of the people. Although they are not too big, they are very convenient and able to provide heat, and it is also possible to cook food on. Thank God!

“I want to tell you about one old lady, Maria, who will be 82 this year. She was born at the beginning of World War II. But, unfortunately, in 2022, she is living through another war, when Russia attacked Ukraine. Bombs and shells were flying in different places. Her relatives asked her to leave and go to a safer place. But she said: “I was born under bombs, I will die under bombs.” God gave her another life, and thanks to you we were able to give her a stove. She used to be very strong against Christians, but now we have some news, that she has started reading the Bible and sometimes comes to evangelistic events, praising God!  

“We gave two [stoves] to displaced families. They live in different houses. One family is Dmytro and Olena and their 2 children. 

“Another IDP family is Oleksandr and his wife Oleksandra. Since they have some uncertainty about how long they will live in our place. So we decided to give them the stove to use now, and then when they leave, the stove will stay for other IDPs . . . These families do not attend church, but we pray for them. 

“Natalia, Vyacheslav and their family were also very grateful to receive the stove. They attend church from time to time and are getting closer to God. They have heard a lot about Jesus . . . Dear friends, thank you once again for your help, it is very important now! People in Ukraine are very grateful to you! Please accept greetings from my family.” 

Watch the videos of four grateful families who just received simple stoves . . . 

From Maria: 

“I am very thankful for the stove. Thanks to you, now my house will be warm and I will have food on the table. Thank you again!”  

From Dmytro and Olena: 

“This is how the stove functions. I have lighted a stove 20 minutes ago, and the water in a pot is heated up.” 

From Oleksandr and his wife Oleksandra: 

They want you to see how their new stove works. 

From Natlia, Vyacheslav and family: 

Today we are fixing our dinner on a new stove. It is wonderful! Praise the Lord! May He bless everyone who was involved in making it possible! We thank God and all of you!

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.