War Relief Updates - September 20, 2024

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. Next week, Sam Slobodian and a pastor from Minnesota leave for Ukraine for the seminary’s Fall session. While there, they plan to check in on many of our war-relief efforts in various locations. Since students who attend come from all over Ukraine, their presence in the seminary gives us an opportunity to load up these students with specific war-relief items, which they will then courier back to their hometowns. Please pray that no Russian bombings or drone attacks will hinder the seminary session.

2. We previously mentioned that our latest container shipment was due at the Polish port on September 10. The arrival date has now been pushed back to September 27. Once it arrives at the port, the plan is to load it onto a flatbed truck that will haul it to its destination in Bilogorodka, Ukraine.

3. The husband of one of BIEM’s volunteer aid workers has been fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine since the beginning of the war. While her husband is away serving in the armed forces, Anna helps to distribute war relief provided by BIEM. In this role, she aids children, adults, and wounded military in a wide variety of locations. Anna emphasizes that volunteers can’t perform relief work without friends like you. She likes the motto “Together We Have Strength.” Meet her in the following 4-minute video:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/together

4. Some of our readers may remember that the church in Chervona Sloboda has a Gospel puppet ministry that evangelizes in schools, orphanages, various institutions, and in outdoor meetings. A young man named Sasha came to Christ through this ministry and became a part of the church, where he eventually became one of the puppet actors. Now a soldier in the army, he has been in battles for two years. Just this week he received a leave, which he used to spend some time with the church. Not only was his visit a time of warm and encouraging fellowship, but this was an opportunity to supply him with war relief items that he can share with other soldiers.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM