Missions Monday: Ukraine Refugees

Refugees Ukraine, May 2015 (US version) from MWBI on Vimeo.









More than 800.000 people have fled Ukraine seeking refuge from the brutal civil war.  To date there are over 2 million Ukrainian refugees (including  internally displaced persons).   Such numbers have not been seen in Europe since the height of the Bosnian conflict.  Not to mention the more than 6.500 killed in the conflict as of June, 2015.

If you're like me, numbers alone are abstract.  Stalin is often misquoted as saying "The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." Whether he actually said this or not,  statistics can overwhelm, depress, and eventually numb the soul.

Since the goal here is to neither overwhelm, depress, or numb, let's keep the focus small.  No one can help millions of people (okay Bill Gates maybe but most of us can't).  We most certainly can't stop a war with Russian backed rebels.  But we can change one life..maybe one whole family.  

"The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." 

There are short and long term needs that must be addressed.  Mission Without Borders Ukraine is based in Rivne where over 2000 refugees have fled.  Over 300 have fled to Sarny.  MWB is assisting these families with food, clothing, furniture, and-just as importantly- encouragement.

They are helping on the frontlines as well.  In June, Mission Without Borders delivered a 15 ton truck of essentials to needy families in Slovyansk.  "Items included basic essentials such as clothing, shoes, nappies, bedding and bottled water."  They have even worked with local Ukrainian churches in collecting food and clothing for families in the east. 

So what can we do?  Pray for peace and justice in Ukraine.  Peace so that families can rebuild and prosper.  Justice so that those guilty of atrocities and terror may be caught and punished.

Help.  Maybe you can send $5.  Maybe you can sponsor a child in Ukraine.  What about a whole family?  Ukraine needs our help in very practical gifts- food, water, shelter, encouragement.  Most of all there needs to be forgiveness and reconciliation with God and with others.  Mission Without Borders is assisting families every day- working with local churches to identify and meet the physical and spiritual needs of children, families,and the elderly.  

Be a part of the change you want to see in the world.

The US office can be reached at 800-245-9191 for credit card donations.  Or you can give (and learn more!) online at www.mwb.org If you are not in the US, you can find your national Mission Without Borders office at www.mwbi.org.