War Relief Updates - November 15, 2024

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

1. In our November 8th updates, we mentioned a serious need for volunteers to help BIEM sort and pack clothing for our upcoming container of war relief. Praise the Lord, we have enjoyed the assistance of a good number of volunteers who have processed a huge amount of clothing within the past few days. Even as I pen these words, two more volunteers are in our warehouse and sorting and folding clothing into boxes for shipment!

2. As the war drags on, Ukraine not only needs more soldiers, but they are also facing a shortage of medics. Therefore, Ukraine has been recruiting and training more medics. One of the places that has been established for a medic-training center is the local library in Smolyn, next to the Goncharovsk military base where brother Sasha Petrenko has planted a church. This turn of events created an opportunity for brother Sasha to get acquainted with this group of people. Through our war relief fund, he was able to provide them with medical supplies and equipment, including tourniquets, which are in high demand.

3. On a Sunday afternoon in Ukraine, our shipping company contacted Pastor Eugene Buyko. They were ready to deliver our long-awaited container. So, although a Sunday delivery was unusual, Brother Buyko wasn’t going to say, No. He and his family stayed to accept the delivery. Normally an arriving container remains on its trailer and is hauled away after unloading. But in this case, BIEM had purchased a used container for the church to keep as an outdoor storage unit. In the following video, the Buyko family shares with you the off-loading process and introduces just one of many refugee families who are benefiting from war relief shipment...

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/container-arrival

4. This week, Widow’s Jar Ministries in Indianapolis provided us with another trailer full of medical supplies and other relief goods to be distributed by our Ukrainian missionaries. These items, along with other donated goods, will be loaded onto our next container to Ukraine, which we plan to ship in early December. BIEM thanks and praises the Lord for opportunities to collaborate with fellow missions like Widow’s Jar Ministries, which has not only blessed our individual missionary families but provided literally tons of humanitarian aid supplies.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - November 8, 2024

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

1. Thank you, everyone who prayed for Pasha Usach’s brother Alexei, who was picked up and taken to a military processing center. After gathering various documents that normally would exempt him from military service (for example, he has a document verifying that he has an invalid child who is dependent on his assistance), he was told that his case would be decided in the next day or two. When Pasha and Alexei arrived with Alexei’s documents, they learned that every person who met with the officials and presented documents that should have exempted them were nevertheless shipped off somewhere to receive 30 days of training before being dispatched to the front—and with no opportunity to go home first. Upon learning this, they decided to simply leave as soon as it was possible to exit without being detected. Obviously, this is a risky move with unknown consequences. However, Alexei and Pasha felt that this was his best option. Therefore, please continue praying for Alexei in this situation.

2. On November 13, 14, and 15 an out-of-town pastor’s wife has volunteered to come and spend those 3 days sorting, folding, and packing clothing donations that are overflowing our warehouse. She doesn't mind working alone, but more hands would speed up the job next Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. If you might like to help for a day or even a few hours, please call our office (317-718-1633) for further information. Thanks for considering it!

3. For the second time, Sofia Buyko and her daughters traveled from Ukraine to Denmark, where they aided and evangelized a community of Ukrainian refugee women. At least one woman who had initially been cold and unreceptive softened and changed her attitude by the end of their presentation. In the following brief video, they share about that experience:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/denmark2

4. In one of our recent publications we wrote that our practice of bringing Ukrainian pastors to the United States to boost our war relief efforts by sharing the need with churches and supporters has been put on hold due to the military escalating efforts to conscript ordained pastors. However, since Igor Fomichov has connections and standing that others do not have, he has volunteered to come since we urgently need to send another container now that our warehouse is overflowing. Lord willing, he will come at the end of this month. Please pray that he can obtain all necessary permissions and be allowed to leave Ukraine for this purpose.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - October 31, 2024

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

1. Alexei, the brother of BIEM missionary Pasha Usach, has been particularly helpful in assisting us with the distribution of war relief supplies to the needy in Ukraine. However, as he was leaving work today, military personnel were waiting on the street. Alexei and others were conscripted on the spot and loaded onto buses, which drove them straight to an inductment center. A doctor declared Alexei healthy and fully capable of serving in the military. However, as a pacifist, Alexei had decided long before this current war that he would never bear arms and has requested a deferral so he can continue assisting in his Christian ministry in the church. Both Pasha and Alexei urgently request prayers about this right now. 

2. For churches in Ukraine to receive free containers of war-relief supplies, they need to register with the government and obtain approval. This is not an easy process. Even as we collect more aid to ship in our next container, the church in Desna, Ukraine, is attempting to navigate the bureaucratic requirements necessary to receive approval for tax-free aid shipments. This, too, is a good matter for prayer.

3. In New Odesa, Ukraine, believers who bake for the needy are helping BIEM’s war-relief program by baking fresh bread for people left in desperate straits because of Russia’s war on Ukraine. In this short video, Brother Andrei shares some of what they do and how it’s beneficial:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/bread

4. Praise God, this week we have received 150 padded auditorium chairs from a church in our area that is upgrading theirs. These chairs have a lot of useful life left in them and will be a great blessing to churches in Ukraine. Even though our containers focus on war relief and humanitarian aid, furnishings for churches can also be classified as humanitarian aid, so we can ship them duty-free to Ukraine.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - October 25, 2024

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

1. We praise the Lord for prompting many individuals and families to give us bags and boxes of lightly used clothing and shoes for Ukraine. With so many homes that have been destroyed in the war, the need for clothing and footwear remains great. We are well on our way to having enough for a new container shipment. However, the amount of recent donations is greater than what our staff can process. In fact, in addition to the large number of recent donations, 2 days ago we unloaded a huge trailerful of clothing we hadn’t known was coming. If your family, Sunday school class, or other group would like to volunteer 2 or 3 hours to sort, fold, and box up clothing for shipment, please contact our office. We could use the help!

2. Tomorrow Vitaly Bilyak leaves for another trip delivering war relief aid and sharing the Gospel along the war front. This trip will concentrate on civilians in Kherson and then further east to Dnipro. Please pray for safety and for him and those volunteers participating in this effort.

3. Awakening Baptist Church in the Obolon district of the Ukrainian capital of Ukraine is continuing its efforts of reaching out to the refugees from Bakhmut who have so many needs, both materially and spiritually. In the short video update “Reaching out to Refugees,” Pastor Nikolai Rozhnyatovsky shares about the church's efforts and the fruits of these labors:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/reaching

4. Igor Fomichov has returned to Ukraine after 5 weeks of speaking in churches here in the United States. We thank the Lord that Igor had an opportunity to help us in that way. Next, we had plans to invite Vitaly Yurchenko to come and speak in other churches. However, this plan has been put on hold because of various risks and hassles the Ukrainian military is exerting even on ordained pastors to join the military. Our longstanding practice of bringing our Ukrainian missionaries to the U.S. to represent BIEM to supporters has been a huge blessing. Now, though, with this changing situation, we request prayer that we will be able to continue such visits in the future and that this hold on Brother Vitaly’s trip be only temporary.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - October 18, 2024

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

1. There is heightened concern among our Ukrainian national missionaries that some will be conscripted for military service in that country. This concern is born out of Ukraine’s increasingly aggressive conscription tactics. For example, recently after a large musical concert in downtown Kyiv there were military officers waiting at every exit to conscript on the spot the large number of male concertgoers as they were exiting the concert. Furthermore, it has become customary for the military to accompany police on traffic stops, during which they examine the I.D. of the traffic offender and in many cases conscript them on the spot. Also, there has been an increase in roadblocks set up to do the same. Therefore, please pray that our church planters will not be compelled to leave their fruitful ministries to serve in the military, which would drastically affect our war-relief distributions.

2. Believers in Bilogorodka, Ukraine, have begun distributing war relief from our container that recently arrived. Already, teams have delivered supplies to war-torn Kherson. Due to new regulations, these distributions require much more documentation than before. If the documentation is not accepted, that would prevent future container shipments from receiving humanitarian-aid status. Therefore, our brethren are being very diligent about this matter even though it requires much more meticulous effort on their part.

3. Ministry always involves movement—across the street, across town, across the country, and oceans—all for the sake of reaching souls and changing lives. We are thankful to the Lord for allowing Igor Fomichov—our missionary from Desna, Ukraine—to travel to the U.S. and speak in supporting churches these past weeks. Before flying home to Ukraine, Igor offered this “moving” update about his church's rehabilitation ministry in the city of Desna:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/missionsmove

4. After a break for the summer, aid distribution to the Bakhmut-area refugees who have been evacuated to the Obolon district of Kyiv resumed last month. There are over 8,000 such refugees. When Sam Slobodian was recently in Kyiv during the Fall session of our seminary, he was able to meet with Pastor Nikolai, who is leading this outreach. Pastor Nikolai recounted how several refugees have been saved through these distributions are now regularly attending their church services. Praise God!

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - October 11, 2024

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

1.  Praise God, our most recent container arrived in the Polish port last weekend and was quickly loaded onto a truck heading for Ukraine. After a quick border crossing, the container has now reached its destination at the church in Bilogorodka. The contents of this container will certainly give Christians open doors for distributing the relief you donated. More importantly, it will give them clear opportunities to share their Christ with needy ones.

2. Once again, BIEM church planter Vitaly Bilyak has traveled with Pastor Alexander to within 3 miles of Ukraine's eastern war front. This time to Pokrovsk. The pair's two main goals were to share the Gospel with people who live in that dangerous area and also to deliver aid in the form of food parcels. During the last 3 days of the trip, they ministered to various soldiers. In this brief video, Vitaly shares some of the sights the two encountered plus "slice of life" moments from this ministry trip.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/pokrovsk

3. On September 20, we shared a positive report from Chervona Sloboda about a soldier named Sasha. He is one of the soldiers who received warm clothing from this church last winter. On leave, Sasha visited the church to repeat his thanks in person, and he agreed to take more aid back to his unit on the lines. However, the church in Lviv (which blessed 50 soldiers with warm clothing) has lost contact with 2 of those young men, Anton and Alexander. The congregation doesn’t know whether Anton and Alexander are POWs, or perished, but they request prayer for them.

4. This year, as winter draws closer, we are planning to repeat the Warm Clothing for Soldiers program. Please pray that there will be a good response from donors so we can share both the Gospel and warm clothing with soldiers who will need them.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - October 4, 2024

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

1.  The church in Lviv, Ukraine, is requesting prayer concerning Gleb, one of the soldiers for whom they provided warm clothing this past winter through our warm clothing for soldiers project. Gleb’s family was evacuated from Mariupol to Lviv, where several of them have been saved and now attend the church. Gleb—a drone specialist serving at the war front—has been severely wounded. He has been evacuated to a hospital in Lviv. Please pray that he makes a full recovery and, most of all, pray that this church will be able to reach him for Christ.

2. Donations for our War Relief Fund have decreased over time. However, the need has not decreased as refugees continue to flood into the areas of many of our churches. For example, the city of Lviv now has 150,000 registered refugees and an estimated 100,000+ more who have not yet registered. Please consider donating to our war relief efforts so we can enable churches to share the Gospel while aiding refugees, each in their own areas.

3. Some products need to be tried to be appreciated. When a group of believers near Kyiv, Ukraine, first began assembling packets of instant soup ingredients to aid their military, not everyone was initially impressed. However, after soldiers in the field gave the dry soup packets a try, their opinions of the project quickly changed. In this video, Sam Slobodian interprets as some of the kitchen volunteers share reactions to their labor of love…

   https://vimeo.com/user37287229/soupkitchen

4.  In the United States this past week, the labor strike of 45,000 dock workers from New England to Texas held the potential for economic disaster. While this strike effectively halted containerized shipments of products into the U.S., it also blocked outgoing containers bound for foreign shores. Ministries like BIEM cannot ship humanitarian aid or other supplies during such a strike. Happily, this strike was suspended after just 3 days with a temporary settlement. However, we keep our eyes on the situation since dockworkers agreed to only a 3-month suspension, which ends on January 15. As BIEM considers our next aid shipment, timing might be prove crucial, depending on developments with those negotiations. Please pray that no such events will hinder our war-relief efforts.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - September 27, 2024

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

1. Sam Slobodian and Pastor Troy Lohmeyer from St. Paul, Minnesota, are currently in Ukraine for BIEM’s Fall seminary session. The session begins on Monday, and brother Troy will be teaching Eschatology. One of their first stops was in Ternopil to see Vitaly Bilyak, who has just returned from his 19th trip to the war front distributing war relief and sharing the Gospel with civilians and soldiers. Most likely, we will be able to post a video about this trip in next week’s updates. The two were able to provide Vitaly with sufficient funds to cover the expenses of Vitaly’s next trip to the war front, which is already being planned.

2. Through Sofia Buyko’s own mother, who has become a refugee in Denmark, Sofia learned of a group of Ukrainian refugee women in that area who needed both encouragement and the Gospel. She and her daughters resolved to take God’s Word plus aid to these Ukrainian ladies dwelling far beyond Ukraine’s border. They tell about that mission here:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/beyond

3. Our most recent container of war relief is due to arrive in the Polish port today. Praise God, all the paperwork for this shipment’s overland transportation from Poland to the church in Bilogorodka, Ukraine, is completed, so there should be no delay in dispatching this cargo from the Polish port to Ukraine. If all goes as planned, it should arrive to its destination sometime next week.

4. Sasha Petrenko, our church planter at the military base in Goncharovsk, shares some good news regarding Vlad, a young soldier reached through their ministry. After serving in battle from the first days of the war, Vlad has now been transferred from the frontline to Goncharovsk, where he will continue his military service. Sadly, not many survive that long in battle. The numbers of those who remain alive throughout months of active battle are shocking and tragic. Please continue to pray for the war to end, and pray specifically for Vlad now that he is in Goncharovsk, that he will become involved with the church so he can grow in the Lord.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

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

War Relief Updates - September 13, 2024

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

1. Igor Fomichov from Desna, Ukraine, arrived safely at our Indiana headquarters this week. This was a definite answer to prayer, since the requirements for pastors wanting to travel outside Ukraine have recently become tighter. In addition to all the previous permissions needed from the government, men wanting to exit Ukraine must obtain proof that they are registered with the military, which we had never done before. Praise God, Igor was able to satisfy both old and new requirements and was able to leave Ukraine. Please pray that the Lord will bless our meetings here in the USA as Igor shares with churches how God is using our war-relief efforts to reach people for Christ.

2. Understandably, many Ukrainian citizens have fled from regions that have suffered intense shelling and battles during Russia's invasion. Those who are left behind often have few resources, including churches seeking to bless and help their communities. When a village church in Kherson hoped to hold day camps for children despite the devastation, BIEM church planters Sergei Skripnik and Pasha Usach were quick to respond. Listen to them discussing the situation, and then watch as the kids enjoy the camp…

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/khersoncamp

3. Some time ago, a young soldier named Roman from Eastern Ukraine was assigned to serve at the military base in Desna, where we planted a thriving church. Roman became yet another soldier who came to Christ at this church. Eventually, Roman was sent to the war front and has been involved in intense fighting. About 4 days ago, Roman's brigade came under heavy fire. Many were killed and severely wounded. Roman was one of those injured. It turns out that a tourniquet we provided saved his life. According to the medics who treated him, the tourniquet also saved his arm because it was a high-quality tourniquet that permitted a gradual adjustment of the tension, which is important when hours pass before medics arrive. Praise God for preserving this young man’s life. Right now, the injured arm has no feeling. Doctors are hopeful that feeling will ultimately return, but that could take months and is not guaranteed. Please pray that his arm will fully heal.

4. This week Vitaly Bilyak is once again taking war relief along with the Gospel to the war front in the East. It is his 19th trip to these embattled areas. He and a local pastor are distributing war relief to civilians. After that, he will move on to military positions where he receives special access through soldiers and officers who are connected with his church. Because of these ties, Vitaly can visit the soldiers in their underground bunkers, where he has free reign to share the Gospel.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - September 6, 2024

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

1. Some time ago we were able to provide a good amount of military MRE’s (meals ready-to-eat) for distribution in Ukraine. That was a one-time provision that we no longer have access to. However, families of soldiers in Ukraine often ask our personnel for more. Therefore, we are sharing this need with you just in case any of our readers have access to MRE’s or know where we could purchase them at a reasonable price. If so, please let us know.

2. Thank you for praying for Pasha and Sergei, who have just returned from holding a children’s camp in the Kherson region in the town of Vysokopillya, which suffered greatly during the occupation by Russian forces. Although the Russian army was eventually forced out, the area is heavily damaged. The church building, too, is scarred from much shrapnel damage. In that area, virtually no employment opportunities exist, so locals are very economically challenged. Even though the church there greatly desired to operate a summer camp for children, that dream wasn’t realistic on their own abilities. However, thanks to our BIEM war relief fund, we were able to equip Pasha & Sergei with supplies and funds to operate a Bible camp for children. This was a huge blessing, and we have just received a video about this camp that we will soon share. 

3. During Sam and Amy Slobodian’s recent trip to Ukraine, several of the Ukrainian women who assisted in distributing our gift of 10,000+ cans of baby formula wanted to express their thanks to BIEM’s donors in America. Even before the war, quality baby formula was an expensive commodity. But with the coming of war—with so many closed businesses, lack of jobs, and stress inhibiting young mothers’ ability to produce milk—this product was like gold. Please listen and accept their thanks to all of you who help BIEM to help and evangelize during these turbulent times.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/formula 

4. While in Vysokopillya (update #3 above), Pasha and his son David were blessed with the opportunity to see Marynka, the six-year-old granddaughter of the pastor in Vysokopillya who lost a leg when Russian artillery shelled the family’s home. It was Pasha who, after hearing the testimony of Marynka’s pastor-grandfather, asked BIEM whether we could help with her medical and prosthetic bills. As she grows, her medical needs continue. If anyone would like to contribute toward her ongoing medical needs, we would be happy to forward that assistance to the family.

Pasha with his son David and Marynka.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 30, 2024

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

1. Currently, BIEM church planters Pasha Usach and Sergei Skripnik are in formerly occupied Kherson, where BIEM has distributed a good amount of war relief. One recipient of aid is the church in Vysokopillya, where Pastor Sergei Kostin’s 6-year-old granddaughter lost a leg when their home was blasted (see our update from March 8 or read Pastor Kostin’s full account of it at this Link). The church requested help and supplies to operate a children’s camp. Please pray that God will bless this camp and keep all involved safe since this region is close to the war front and still occasionally receives shelling even though the Russian army has withdrawn from this area.

2. We have received a report that BIEM’s current container of relief aid for Ukraine (shipped from our headquarters in Indiana on August 8) is expected to arrive in the Polish port on September 10th. So far, this shipment is progressing quickly and smoothly. Join us in praising God for this good news. May its contents bless many recipients and glorify God! 

3. Once again, BIEM church planter Sasha Petrenko has made a ministry trip to an area near the war front in Donetsk. On this trip, he delivered many of the usual items such as food, chainsaws, tourniquets, and other useful items. However, this time he also accepted the request that he deliver something much larger—a van that had been prepared as a transport vehicle to drive wounded individuals away from the front! In this short video, learn more about this trip and other situations Sasha experienced.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/channel

4. Thank you for praying for Sam & Amy and the campers as they have just concluded a camp in the Kyiv area. Praise God for answered prayer as the entire week was marked by no sirens or air raids, which was unusual for this area. However, as they were leaving this past Monday morning Russia launched what many are calling the largest aerial attack of the war to date with over 100 missiles as well as 100+ attack drones, many targeting Kyiv. As the Slobodians were exiting the city for their next scheduled destination, they passed sites where huge columns of smoke were rising from the strikes. They also passed no fewer than 7 military units that were shooting down the attacking drones and rockets from the side of the road and from bridges. Praise God for His hand of protection!

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 23, 2024

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

1. Those carrying on our war-relief efforts along the war front report sadly that many of the soldiers they are able to help and share the Gospel with do not return from their battle assignments. Some units return with only half of their numbers surviving. While this reality does motivate our workers to intensify their efforts in sharing the Gospel with these men, the loss of life does make their hearts heavy. Please pray, not only for our workers’ safety but also for their spirits to remain strong in this challenging ministry.

2. Last week we mentioned that Sam & Amy Slobodian were requesting prayer for their travel to Ukraine, specifically that their border crossing would go quickly and smoothly. They report that God mightily answered these prayers. When they arrived at the border, no cars waited in front of them. In addition—praise God!—Customs did not inspect any suitcases, which they often do (a time-consuming process). Thank you for praying!

3. Husband & wife team Vitaly and Natasha have founded an outreach in Ukraine called "The Cross." Operating near the front lines of the war, The Cross aims to engage soldiers heading back to the front, first by nourishing their bodies with a tasty meal, but also by sharing faith in Christ to save their souls. They are planting seeds of the Gospel among men who will literally be facing death. The following video link provides glimpses of that ministry in action as Natasha tells more about it:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/soup-scripture

4. Sam and Amy Slobodian (who are in Ukraine right now) report that everywhere they go people enthusiastically express great gratitude for the Warm Clothing for Soldiers project BIEM did last winter. People are excited by the opportunity to tell them in person what a great blessing that program was. Incidentally, our office has received numerous questions asking whether we plan to do something similar this upcoming winter. The answer is yes. We will provide further information later.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 16, 2024

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

1. Brother Eugene and his family are back in Ukraine after spending the last 5 Sundays in the United States, where they shared with churches how God is blessing our War Relief efforts. The Lord blessed the meetings we had in Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Colorado, and Montana with generous love offerings for War Relief and very warm and welcoming receptions in every church. The Buykos returned greatly encouraged that they are not alone in all that they are doing for the Lord in these difficult times in Ukraine. Another blessing was that they were able to cross the border from Poland back into Ukraine in only 45 minutes. Praise God for this answer to prayer. 

2. Igor Fomichov is the next Ukrainian scheduled to visit the United States for 5 Sundays in September and October. Please pray that he will be able to obtain the necessary special permission. (As an elected deputy, Igor sits on the city council, which makes his permission more complicated to obtain.)

3. In this week’s video update, BIEM missionary Vitaly Bilyak narrates some highlights from his 18th evangelism-aid trip to the frontline area of Donbas in Eastern Ukraine. Joining him on this trip was Brother Andrei, who oversees our local Rehabilitation Center, and Pastor Alexander. Thank you for helping BIEM to make such evangelism and humanitarian aid possible! 

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/donbas18

4. Please pray for Sam & Amy Slobodian as they leave for Ukraine on Monday, August 19. Though the focus on this trip will be camps, they will also review our War Relief efforts and meet with those conducting these ministries. Last summer, during the same time that the Slobodians went to Ukraine, Russia intensified their attacks by drones, bombs, and missiles. Therefore, please pray for their border crossing as well as their safety and the safety of the campers and camp workers.  

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 9, 2024

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

1. At this very moment, BIEM missionaries Vitaly Bilyak and Andrei Eliseev are on a combined humanitarian aid & evangelism trip to areas near the war’s front lines. There, they will be ministering to both civilians and members of the military. For Vitaly, this will be his 18th such trip.

2. Quite commonly, summer camps in Ukraine are conducted at least in part with humanitarian aid from BIEM. In a thank-you message from the first Baptist church in Bilogorodka, one camp leader writes, “The Lord gave us the opportunity to conduct various creative workshops, active games, music lessons, and most importantly, Bible lessons. During the Bible lessons, the teachers invited the children to pray, and at the end of the lessons there were invitations to prayer of repentance, and several children responded to the Lord’s call. We heard many positive comments about the camp from parents and grandparents who brought their children to the camp. Some of the parents say they have been waiting since the beginning of summer so as not to miss this opportunity for their children. Happy children, satisfied parents, and most importantly, saved hearts, are what Christian camps are all about.”

3. On August 8, 2024, by God’s grace and with your donations, BIEM shipped another container of aid to Ukraine. Our director for Ukraine, Eugene Buyko, was on hand with his family to assist with this labor-intensive process. This short video shares a few glimpses of the packing process and allows the Buykos to thank all of you personally for your invaluable help in helping believers in their country to minister to both spiritual and physical needs:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/handpacking

4. In a video clip that we just received, our missionary Sasha Petrenko is on the road in Ukraine with another brother, and they are also driving a load of humanitarian aid to the contested Donbas area to minister to people there. Such trips are always fraught with dangers, and Sasha requests prayer as they undertake this trip. We will try to report more details after his return.

 In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - August 2, 2024

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

1. This is the third summer that we have conducted summer camps as the war rages on. Most of the camps have been conducted on church grounds during this time due to safety concerns. That has been the case with Sasha Petrenko’s camps for the children and youth from Goncharovsk and Smolyn. This area is subject to frequent attacks from Russian missiles, rockets, and drones even though the Ukrainian air defenses have been able to shoot most of these down before they hit their targets. This summer Sasha wanted to get these children and youth away from this area and take them all the way to safer Western Ukraine, where we have an actual campsite. They have just returned with a happy group of campers that included many refugee children. All were delighted to get away from the frequent air-raid sirens that have become routine in their home area. Praise God!

2. Two years ago, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine, the Nazarenko family at first took refuge in their basement. But as Russian soldiers committed atrocities in their town of Bucha, they became just one of the families that BIEM evacuated to Germany. At the time, we shared a video of the family on the road:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9315861/video/687675622

Now, despite the war, Victor and Anna decided to move the family back to Ukraine, where Victor has been ordained for ministry and the whole family serves the Lord... Meet the family and hear a little about their experiences here:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/home

3. As we mentioned last week, the Buykos from Ukraine are currently with us. They have been busy visiting supporting churches, giving updates about the ministry, and sharing how God is blessing our war relief efforts, which they are heavily involved in. The daughters—Angelica, Solomia, and Ivanka—sing beautifully, which has been a huge blessing in our meetings. In fact, the singing is so exceptional that many have commented on that being the highlight of the meetings!

4. On Monday, August 5, we receive a 40-foot, high cube container that we will be loading with donated goods for Ukraine. Praise God, we have enough goods to fill this container and funds to ship it. We would also like to purchase this container so that it could be used as a storage facility for the receiving church. Such a storage place would be a huge blessing to any Ukrainian church since you could not build anything of similar size for anywhere near the $3,200 it would cost to purchase the container. Donations towards this $3,200 would be sincerely appreciated.

 In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - July 19, 2024

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

1. So far, BIEM is still able to invite our Ukrainian missionaries to apply for exit permission to come to the U.S. and speak in churches to help raise funds for war relief. American believers particularly enjoy hearing—not merely about—our workers in that land and meeting them in person. However, as the war continues, so does governmental efforts to control the whereabouts of its citizenry. A new law mandates that even a male who has received temporary permission to cross the border (as in the case of our missionaries) must also carry his military passport, which is a document showing proof of registration at a military enlistment office. Without military registration, no male from age 18 – 60 can exit Ukraine legally. This development has potential to hinder having our church planters from coming to the U.S., which in turn could crimp our war relief fund-raising.

2. In Bilogorodka, Ukraine, BIEM’s missionary-pastor Anatoly Kosyanchuk leads a congregation that especially appreciates hands-on opportunities to serve God and others. In fact, the military chaplains’ association recognized him and the church for their ongoing efforts to bless, help, and encourage active-duty soldiers, wounded victims, and other needy ones. In the following video, Anatoly thanks all of you for making such ministries possible!

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/helpingushelpothers

3. With summertime weather in Ukraine, our churches are conducting baptismal services. Many of those being baptized are folks who have been introduced to the church through our war-relief efforts. It most cases, these baptisms take place, not inside the church building, but in a public area by a lake or river. Such public baptisms often draw curious onlookers, who hear a clear Gospel presentation. Praise God for newly redeemed souls and for natural opportunities to proclaim Christ to spectators who still need Him!

4. BIEM has previously reported on Oleg, the brother of BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko. We prayed for Oleg, who had been a POW in Russia for over 2 years before finally being released back to Ukraine in a prisoner swap. As an update, Oleg ended up in a hospital in Poltava, Ukraine. There, physicians began treating him for malnutrition and kidney and liver problems caused by blows to the body. When doctors discovered he also has some heart problems, they transferred Oleg to a hospital in Kyiv, where he arrived today. He remains in good spirits, thankful to be alive, and very glad to be out of Russia and back in Ukraine. He has begun to gain weight, which is excellent news. In case you missed it, here’s the video of Sasha giving Oleg a chance to glorify God and thanking those who prayed for him:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9315861/video/974496643

 In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - July 9, 2024

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

Note: BIEM normally publishes our War Relief Updates on Fridays. However, because of the nature of events in Ukraine this week, we are releasing these updates earlier than usual.

1. In our BIEM’s of Light for July, we mentioned that the Buyko family will be visiting the United States to speak in churches about our war-relief efforts. Lord willing, they will arrive on Thursday, July 11. Praise God, just today Eugene received his official permission to temporarily exit Ukraine. Tomorrow they leave the Kyiv area and must drive all the way to Krakow, Poland, for their flights to the USA. We have two urgent prayer requests concerning this. First, please pray that the border guards will allow Eugene to leave Ukraine. (The official permission does state that, despite his permission, the border guards have the authority to deny any men between the ages of 18 and 60 to leave Ukraine. Even though this hasn’t yet happened to any of our missionaries, we still request prayer concerning this.) Second, please pray for the Buykos to have a smooth and quick border crossing into Poland. Lately, all of us crossing the border have managed to cross in 2 hours or less. However, such crossings have sometimes taken up to 9 hours due to long lines. That long of a crossing would force them to drive all night to reach Krakow to catch their flights, so please pray.

2. On Monday, July 8, Russia fired more than 40 missiles at Ukraine. Of those, 8 struck Kyiv, the capital. One missile scored a direct hit on Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital. Although not struck directly, the Temple of Salvation Baptist Church (which partners with BIEM and hosts our Seminary) was near enough that it, too, suffered damage. You can learn more about that damage to the church in this 3-minute video:

https://vimeo.com/showcase/9315861/video/980870828

3. Because Russia’s July 8 missile strike on Ukraine—and on Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in particular—was so massive and heinous, this attack is receiving particular coverage by worldwide news outlets. If you are interested in broader details of the event, here are several links. (Note: Some news articles may include graphic images.):

Voice of America: https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-hits-children-s-hospital-in-ukraine-s-capital-during-widespread-deadly-missile-attack-/7688979.html

Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/experts-challenge-russian-narrative-on-kyiv-childrens-hospital-attack-2024-7

US News: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2024-07-09/kyiv-mourns-as-rescuers-make-last-ditch-efforts-at-childrens-hospital-hit-by-russian-missile

France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240709-ukraine-mourns-as-rescuers-clear-rubble-from-missile-hit-kyiv-children-s-hospital

4. Dasha is a schoolteacher in Bilogorodka, and she also faithfully teaches Sunday school in the church. Her father and another soldier were killed near the front lines when their vehicle came under fire. Please pray for Dasha and her family. Many people attended the funeral, which added significant cost, since it is customary to have a meal with a funeral. It was a blessing to help with these funeral expenses through our war relief fund.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - July 5, 2024

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

1. Our Ukrainian brethren are reporting that, due to Russia’s continuing attacks on their infrastructure, they are losing electricity now more than ever before even though it is summer and not winter. Some of our folks say that they often are without electricity for 16 hours out of a 24-hour day. To date, we have spent over $250,000 providing generators for many of our people and churches that were totally without. However, running these generators for so many hours day after day is expensive. Please continue to donate to our war relief funds so we can assist with these extra expenses and provide generators to those churches that still need them.

2. The Christians who print our Challenger newsletter do a wonderful job, for which we receive many compliments. The current issue featuring last winter’s distribution of warm clothing and New Testaments may be their most attractive effort ever. We had so many photos and thank you’s that it was a tall order to fit a sampling even into 6 pages. Somehow they formatted a beautiful and informative issue featuring a creative, bulletin-board layout. We thank and praise God for the outstanding work on this newsletter. May it warm the hearts of all who gave and prayed for this project. If you haven’t yet seen this latest newsletter, you can view it online Here.

3. We have sometimes requested prayer for Oleg, the brother of BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko, who is deeply involved in evangelizing through war relief. Oleg was captured by Russian troops shortly after they invaded Ukraine in February 2022. For a long while, his family did not know whether he was dead or alive, but they did not give up hoping and praying. Praise God, after 2 years and 4 months as a POW of the Russians, Oleg was included in a prisoner exchange and was returned to Ukraine. In this 3-minute video, he shares his gratitude for prayers and for God, who preserved him.

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/2years4months

4. Denmark now has a large population of Ukrainian refugees. These are mostly women and children. Sophia Buyko and the Buyko daughters have been invited to minister to these war refugee women for the second time. They are there now and report that 25 women attended their meetings, where they received counseling and Bible teaching. Groceries were also distributed to these needy women and children. Several of these women have now attended the church services.

In Christ,

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM

War Relief Updates - June 28, 2024

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

1. Much of the war relief that we provide for those suffering the consequences of the war in Ukraine goes towards expenses like food, clothing, medical supplies & costs, repairs to damaged homes, protective gear, and equipment for soldiers connected to our churches—generators, power banks, and coal and wood for heating. This week we received heartfelt thanks for war relief of a different type. Expressing thanks were several soldiers who received high-end First Aid kits and a Christian volunteer for whom we helped to purchase a vehicle (a used 4x4 Lada Niva), which he uses to transport wounded from the front lines to where they can receive medical care.

2. Sergiy Koop in Ternopil continues to stay in touch with numerous soldiers who were helped through our war-relief distributions. Several are now tuning into his church services online. Please pray for their salvation. One has been transferred to the Ternopil area, so he has been attending the church services. When the church has sufficient funds, they plan to upgrade their equipment to improve the quality of these broadcasts.

3. Shortly after Russian troops invaded Ukraine, Sofia Buyko accepted her husband’s wishes and departed for Poland with their 3 daughters. In Poland, and later in Germany, the 4 were safe from the aerial bombings and atrocities being committed by occupying forces. But as time passed, they decided to leave their place of safety and return to Ukraine even though war was still raging. Why would they do that? Listen to their own answer in this 3-minute video, “The Decision to Return.”

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/thedecision

4. More than once, we have requested prayer for Oleg, the brother of BIEM missionary Sasha Petrenko. Oleg disappeared soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, and for a long time the family didn’t know where he was or even whether Oleg was still alive. Praise God, Oleg was among the 90 POWs that Russia this week swapped soldiers that Ukraine had captured. Of those released back to Ukraine, Oleg was one of those in the worst physical condition. He was transported to a hospital, where Sasha was told that his brother faced a long recovery period. Of course, the family is rejoicing that Oleg survived his ordeal and that he is back in Ukraine again!

If you would like to see a mass media news article with a heartwarming video about this exchange, here is one such link:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/russia-ukraine-each-return-90-prisoners-of-war/ar-BB1oTvDH

Sam Slobodian
President, BIEM