Ukraine update from SELCU pastor, aid fund update from LCC

UKRAINE – The following update is provided by Rev. Sergey Bevz, pastor of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s partner church the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) and was written on April 12, 2022:

For the last six weeks the doors of Living Water Lutheran Church in Dnipro have been widely open day and night… It is so because Dnipro—a city of more than one and a half million citizens—is located on the crossroads of Eastern Ukraine. As a result, it has become a refuge during the war for citizens fleeing conflict zones in Kharkiv, Donetsk, Lugansk, Mariupol, and Zaporizhye. Dnipro municipality is doing everything possible to cope with such a humanitarian crisis. People are everywhere in the city. The floors of many city malls, schools and churches are covered with mattresses. Although some refugees are trying to find housing in Dnipro (which is very expensive and rare), most only stay a few days before moving further to the West.

We are doing everything possible to use all our resources to respond to the situation and to host and support the people that come to our church building, which is not even fully restored after a winter roof collapse in 2019. People are able to stay here for 1-3 days. We are able to provide for them meals and a warm place to sleep; help them with their laundry; and we try to provide basic medicine and hygiene supplies to those in need. We use every meter of our church space, including the unfinished sanctuary and second floor.

We have purchased a washing machine and dryer; it works almost nonstop now. We have also installed a new shower and additional toilet in order to meet the basic needs of 20-25 daily guests. Our Mission House is also hosting refugees. Neighbours in this village said we’ve inspired them to open their homes to house the refugees we are unable to look after.

For the last few weeks our church has hosted hundreds of people. We are now receiving around 200 phone calls daily from those searching for shelter. As much as we would like to, unfortunately, we don’t have the space to host more people. We simply do what we can to care for people who have lost their homes and all their material goods. Our little church team consists of church members and volunteers living nearby.

Three weeks ago, our team was significantly strengthened when SELCU sent us Rev. Valery Verba. As a result, we are now able to not only provide more physical care for people, but—most importantly—more spiritual care for the refugees.

SELCU Bishop Alexander Yurchenko recently made a trip to Dnipro to support and inspire us as well as to deliver necessary goods and food for people hosted by our congregation.

Listening to our guests we hear many terrible stories. People are fearful and traumatized. Many of them stayed in dark and cold basements for a month with no electricity or heat. Women are crying often. Men are mostly silent. All of them have a physical reflex to loud sounds. Yet all of them are grateful for the simple things we are able to offer them—a safe space, hot food, clean linens, electricity, and warm water. Most of them are anxious to hear the Gospel and we spend a great deal of time with them in prayer.

Although all our volunteers are overwhelmed at times and exhausted we all recognize the need to continue to do what we can for these people. To be useful for our country and community is a deep desire of most Ukrainians. For us, as a church of Christ, the Lord has given us this opportunity to serve people and to share the Good News about our Saviour in such a dark and difficult time—to weep with those who are weeping, and to suffer with those who are suffering. In so doing, those who would have turned their backs on our ministry before this conflict are now eager to hear the comforting Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

We are deeply thankful for all the ways in which Lutheran Church–Canada is assisting us with this ministry. All the people we are caring for are grateful for your financial support and prayers. We pray that the Lord will soon bring an end to this terrible war. Until then, we are strengthened in our hope and continue to serve His people.

Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. | Jude 1:2

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UPDATE: As of April 21, 2022 the people of LCC have raised a total of $405,823.00 for the LCC Ukraine Relief Aid Fund. For those who would like to direct financial support to the pastors and people of the SELCU, you can do so through LCC’s Ukraine Aid Fund Here.

REMINDER: Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s Ukraine Aid Fund directly supports our partner church, the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) during this current crises. Another aid fund for Ukraine established by Concordia Lutheran Mission Society (CLMS) will contribute to rebuilding efforts and other expenses, anticipating the significant financial need that will arise in the aftermath of this current conflict. As auxiliaries of LCC, the funds raised through CLMS, and Lutheran Women’s Missionary League of Canada (LWMLC) to name another example, will be directed to our partner Church in Ukraine through LCC. This is just one of the ways that the various auxiliaries, listed service organizations, and people of our Synod are working together, as one Body under Christ in support of humanitarian works of mercy. Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is also working to provide general humanitarian relief in Ukraine through the help of their partner organizations.