It’s quite difficult to speak about it, but comparing to hell in other places, our city is considered peaceful and quiet, since for the duration of the war we had only several missile hits and the number of killed is fewer than one hundred…
Since the beginning of the war, by official statistics, about six thousand refugees fleeing from the Russian army, arrived to Rivne from Kiev, Irpen, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Zaporozhye, and Luhansk regions. Christian mission «Hope to People» and Community of the Good Shepherd Bible Mission Church, along with other Christian churches and organizations in our city, got actively involved, providing help to the victims. Practically all our vehicles and brothers-drivers are part of the evacuation service to the people from hotspots, bringing them over to Rivne. Locally we organize an overnight stay for them at the “Zalissia” suburban base, which can accommodate up to 150 people, as well as in the mission building, where 50-70 people can find temporary shelter.
On average, up to a hundred people receive three hot meals a day, a roof over the head and the opportunity to shower and wash their clothes. We provide humanitarian aid like: clothes, underwear, shoes, personal hygiene items, medicine and other essentials to those who escaped the shelling having only some documents in their hands. Nearly all evacuees are very scared, many are in shock. Often only women, children and elderly can leave, which leads to family separations and deep effect on folks separated with the loved ones. Hence, in addition to the cooks and staff, several counselors are part of this ministry. Prayer meetings take place in the evenings; where Christians share their testimonies, and some nonbelievers open the Gospel for the first time in their life, they also learn through an exhibition of biblical paintings about the life of Jesus Christ and ask questions on faith, repentance and salvation. Shortly after some refugees are heading further to the west, while new people are being settled in their place.
Our staff and volunteers from the local church have been working in such manner for a month, with no weekends and almost with no rest. Many people lost their jobs. Owing to the disruption of infrastructure and rising prices, more and more of socially vulnerable people like: pensioners, single mothers and families caring for disabled lovedones turn to us seeking help with food. Presently we have no idea how long the war will last and how our organization will continue to function.
We are deeply grateful to God for every person who supports us during these difficult times in prayer, fasting, finances, humanitarian aid, and personal involvement in the ministry. The aid is used to buy fuel for the trips to go and save as many lives as possible, to feed the hungry and to clothe the needy, to buy Bibles and Christian literature for those who show interest and to pay for food and accommodation for refugees.
Continue to stay with us! Please plead with the Lord to stop this disaster! Let the prayer’s cup be filled!
