Ukraine - One Year On
We wanted to let you know what’s been happening with the monies raised in our Ukraine Appeal over the Christmas period and into the New Year. Since today marks the anniversary of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, it seems a good time for an update, and a reminder to pray.
Many are still in shock at Putin’s act of aggression, the scale of which has not been seen in Europe since the Second World War. Tragically this wicked decision to invade has left a trail of individual, family and community trauma in its wake. Thousands upon thousands of people have lost their lives, on both sides of the conflict; occupied peoples have been terrorised; areas far from the front lines have been attacked from the air; Russia’s own people have lived under a cloud of lies about what is really happening and why. Lord Jesus, bring your peace, your truth, your justice, your love!
While we continue to lament over the devastation caused by the war, we are thankful God has opened up ways for us to make a difference in the last year:
Who can forget the 1300+ sleeping bags we sent out in our immediate appeal a month after the invasion started?
A large number of Kerith folks opened up their homes to host Ukrainian refugees coming to the UK on the government’s visa scheme – some of whom have also made Kerith their temporary home, too – treating us to “Silent Night” in Ukrainian this Christmas!
We were able to help the Vsi Razom (All Together) initiative secure a community hub in The Lexicon (our charity is the legal entity involved in the free lease)
We launched our own Ukraine Appeal Fund to support churches and charities connected with Kerith locally, on the borders of Ukraine, and within Ukraine itself
We’ve been in regular contact with one of those partner churches in Ukraine, led by Pastors Katya & Serhiy Semenyuk, as well as supporting them financially (and with the sleeping bags!)
They sent us this video to give us an idea of the work they are doing with ours and others’ support…
People have been giving to the Ukraine Appeal since its inception, but we made it our nominated charity for our Bracknell, Windsor and West Wight sites for our Christmas Experiences in December. Althogether we gave a further £4,251, which enabled us to round it up with previous gifts and send £5,000 to the work in Katya’s church in Ukraine in January. Thank you to everyone who has given, either in our Christmas Meetings, or throughout the last year. It is making a significant difference in a desperate situation.
Finally, I’d encourage us all to pray, especially when we hear updates on Ukraine around this sad anniversary. God is still at work and He chooses to use us to make a difference! If you’d like a helpful guide for praying, why not use the “4 P’s” (as Pete Greig calls them). Pray for:
1. People affected
2. Pastors and priests
3. Politicians
4. Peacemakers / NGOs ease continue to pray for his purposes to be worked out.