Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People
Dear Friends of BIEM,
1. Earlier we had mentioned that a third container full of humanitarian aid from the United States was headed to Desna, Ukraine, which is in the Chernihiv area. This shipment arrived on Tuesday. Just hours after everything was unloaded, Desna came under bombardment by the Russian Air Force. At least 8 people were killed, and many were injured. Please pray for the families affected.
2. Praise God, none of our missionary families have been injured, and all our church buildings have escaped serious damage, though some have suffered damaged windows due to nearby blasts.
3. We have more information about Alexander Sevchenko, our seminary student who was killed in Kharkov. Alexander had joined a volunteer group that was bringing in aid and evacuating people from an area on the outskirts of Kharkov. On one such mission his group did not return. Later, all their bodies were recovered, and it was apparent from their injuries that they were killed by shrapnel from artillery fire. Evidently, they got caught in the crossfire of one of the many battles taking place in and around Kharkov.
4. In Ukraine we have now received 3 full 40-foot containers of humanitarian aid from the United States. Each container involves organizing a crew to unload the contents onto a semi-truck when they arrive in Yagodyn, Ukraine, which is right on the Polish border. In turn, these trucks travel across Ukraine to areas in need that are very far from the Polish border. Praise God that He has touched the hearts of many people whose combined efforts make this possible. There are those who provide the goods that are shipped; there are those who enable all the logistics of getting these goods to Yagodyn; there are those who labor hard to unload the arriving containers, load them onto the receiving semi and then unload everything at the destination. Next, many are involved in distributing these goods to the needy, which includes sharing the Gospel and handing out Bibles and tracts. We are also thankful for the Ukrainian Christian businessmen who have provided trucks and drivers to us for no charge. They requested only that we cover the cost of fuel, which is considerable. These huge trucks require an immense amount of fuel, which in Ukraine is now $6 per gallon and climbing. Ukraine is the size of Texas, so these trucks and all the other vehicles we have crisscrossing Ukraine are covering huge distances. Then there are people like you, who read these letters and give towards these needs. Praise God for amazing opportunities to help the suffering and to share the Gospel. We thank Him for the many who are taking part in our relief efforts for the glory of God.
Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM