Lord, Hear Our Prayers for Ukraine — Part 1
For updates after June 30, please look for Lord, Hear Our Prayers for Ukraine — Part 2 at awana.org/ukraine-updates
June 30
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)
Our Awana teams in Europe thank you for your continued support and prayer for Ukraine. As you spend time with God, please continue to lift up these needs of our brothers and sisters.
- Please pray for our Awana team to continue to provide humanitarian aid across Ukraine. Pray specifically for the safety of our vehicle drivers making regular trips back and forth to Poland and Romania.
- Pray for physical and emotional stamina for our team providing relief and care to families displaced and separated by the war.
- Awana clubs and camps for Ukrainian children have resumed meeting in central and western Ukraine and in neighboring countries. Please pray for children to hear about God’s love for them and to experience the care and support they need in this very difficult time. Pray specifically for the hearts of children who have been traumatized by the war.
- Ukrainian refugees (primarily women and children) across Europe need housing, schooling, jobs and support. Please lift them up as they adapt to cultural and language changes, too.
- Pray for safety of Ukrainian soldiers fighting to defend their homeland, as well as an end to the war and peace to be restored.
- Please pray for financial aid and support to continue to flow into Ukraine to meet ongoing needs.
- Pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine to keep trusting God in all circumstances, to grow in their faith and to take opportunities to share the Gospel with their neighbors. Continue to lift up the many children and their families who don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. May they come to faith and find hope in Him.
Thank you so much. If you feel led to provide finanical assistance to Awana Ukraine staff and the people of Ukraine, please click the donate button, below. To learn how your financial gift will be used, keep reading this blog and go to awana.org/ukraine.
June 22
Today we share the second testimony from Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu. This story, about Irina, is one of strength, reliance on God and service.
Irina is the sister of Roman Shchetynin, an Awana missionary in Odessa, Ukraine. Due to the bombing around their house, she left and chose to come to Romania. Roman asked me [Adi] to help her find a place to stay. Finding out that she arrived in Brasov, the place where I was born and lived for 58 years, I was happy to contact my old friends and find a place especially for her where she could safely stay and have her needs met.
I recently traveled to Brasov [and visited her]. I was impressed by her sensitivity and desire not to be a burden to anyone. Then by her humility and trust in God in spite of the insecurity and unforeseen events she went through. The traumas she had gone through were clear. And then I noticed the joy that appeared on her face when she saw herself safe and surrounded by a community that cared for her.
I was also impressed by the community of believers in Brasov. The news that we needed a home for Irina spread very quickly. From the many possibilities, we chose an apartment located in one of the churches where I used to serve.
(Left) Irina, a refugee from Ukraine, is being served by the loving community of Brasov, Romania. In turn, Irina is choosing to give back by starting a local Awana club for refugee children.
The pastor told me that for two months the community has been praying for someone to come and stay there. They made renovations and equipped the apartment with everything necessary; and when Irina arrived, the whole community mobilized to receive her and help her. Such situations not only unite the community but also ignite the specific service for those in need.
Today Irina is starting an Awana club in the church for Ukrainian refugee children! God is at work in beautiful ways to redeem lives uprooted by the war in Ukraine. Please pray for Irina, her host church and the children and families whom they are serving today.
Your prayers and financial support are giving our teams in Ukraine and the bordering countries the sustenance they need to survive the day and help others to survive. If you feel led to provide finanical assistance to Awana Ukraine staff and the people of Ukraine, please click the donate button, below. To learn how your financial gift will be used, keep reading this blog and go to awana.org/ukraine.
June 17
Today we share the first of two testimonies from Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu. Today’s story talks about the toll the war has had on Marina, a refugee from Ukraine. But despite her struggles, God is using her and those who pray for her for His glory.
Marina, together with her husband and three children, are a refugee family living in an apartment rented by Awana in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Her husband works in a car workshop, and Marina takes care of the house, supervising the children who go to school online. She looked for work and started cleaning apartments in the neighborhood. She also meets with other refugee women three times a week to encourage them and share the Gospel, and keeps in touch with those who stay at home by sending them regular medicines, food and everything strictly necessary.
A few weeks ago, after a very busy period, Marina decided to have a few days of fasting and prayer. After the first day of fasting, she burst into tears, unable to speak or do anything. She was effectively paralyzed. A few days of medical investigations, rest and special care followed. During this time, the community and her friends interceded for Marina, fasting and praying for her healing. God listened to the prayers and healed her. Now she is healthy and able to continue fulfilling her responsibilities.
I [Adi] went to the doctors with Marina and listened to her story, her worries and especially her fears. I was amazed at what war can do in the lives of even faithful people who trust in the Lord and have a refuge in Him. I was also glad to see how the community was close to Marina and came to the rescue her, not only with prayers but also with the necessary things and money so that her resources would not run out.
One week after her healing, Marina invited us to a thanksgiving dinner where she prepared a lot of traditional Ukrainian food. Another family offered [her and her family] a week of relaxation and rest in a mountain resort. Her children are invited into families with other children to play, study together, and thus help Marina to meet with her Bible study friends. We have a great God!
Many Ukrainian refugees are strong Christians who are shining the Gospel light brightly in other parts of Europe. Still, they are suffering and grieving the trauma of war and need our support. Please pray that God will use faithful followers of Jesus, like Marina, to both give and receive the grace of the Lord wherever He is calling them to live today. And please pray for Christians, like Adi and the Awana Romania team, who host and care for their brothers and sisters during this time of crisis.
Your prayers and financial support are giving our teams in Ukraine and the bordering countries the sustenance they need to survive the day and help others to survive. If you feel led to provide finanical assistance to Awana Ukraine staff and the people of Ukraine, please click the donate button, below. To learn how your financial gift will be used, keep reading this blog and go to awana.org/ukraine.
Marina (center) with her family in Romania
June 15
Tom Chilton, Awana global vice president for Europe/North Asia, recently spoke with Anita and provides us with today’s update. Anita, from her hometown in Ukraine, provided us with the earliest reports on the war.
Lament
On February 23, 2022, Anita started her day like most days – with a cup of coffee and time in God’s Word. Ahead was a day filled with work and ministry. Anita had plans for the week and plans for the year. On February 24, everything changed.
For more than 100 days, Anita, one of our Awana leaders in Ukraine, has had her life turned upside down by the realities of war and crisis response. “I’m no longer able to plan,” she said. “Every day is uncertain, and I just ask God for the grace to do the next thing.” Anita’s husband has been called to active military duty; she has been busy volunteering at the refugee center on weekdays and organizing Awana for refugee children on Saturdays. Focusing on ministry helps her keep her fears and sorrows at bay.
Listening to Anita share these words through tears, my mind went to the lament of Psalm 22. This Psalm famously begins with the words that Jesus recited from the cross, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? War and the circumstances in Ukraine today can feel God-forsaken. Our hearts rightly break for the loss of life, liberty and property. Families are separated and futures are uncertain.
David cries out in verses 19-21:
“Lord, do not be far from me.”
“Come quickly to help me.”
“Deliver me from the sword.”
“Rescue me.”
These are the cries of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and our prayers for them, as well. Yet David also remembers God does hear us and He is with us. David hopes for God’s rescue and reminds us God is in control and will accomplish His purposes.
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations. (Psalm 22:27-28)
God rules over the nations. Evil rulers will not always be allowed to carry out their destructive purposes. God will have the final word, and all the families of the nations will worship Him. Many of those families are putting their faith and trust in God for the very first time because of this war and the faithful witness of leaders like Anita. God is rescuing today, and One Day, He will rule with perfect righteousness and justice. And … the greatness of His government and peace there will be no end. (Isaiah 9:7)
Come, Lord Jesus.
June 10
Working Together to Show Love and Compassion
Our latest report comes from Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu. He describes the many Romanian partners working together to serve their Ukrainian neighbors.
Humanitarian Aid
In partnership with the ECCE HOMO Organization, an evangelical, humanitarian organization from Cluj, a transport of humanitarian aid – especially with medicine and food – is sent every week to the army and hospitals in Kyiv, Irpin and Odessa. Our transport leaves Cluj, and the aid is unloaded in Chernivtsi. There Pastor Pavel and his team distribute it further in the three localities. In one of these transports, the car carrying the aid was attacked by the Russian army, and one of our brothers from Chernivtsi was killed.
We are also contiuing the partnership with the Philippi Vision Organization from Alba Iulia, with the Baptist Church from Otopeni/Bucharest and with the Good Shepherd Association, which weekly go to the border of Ukraine and bring refugees, especially from the Odessa, Kharkov and Irpin area.
These refugees are helped to find temporary accomodation and meals, until they decide whether to stay in Romania or move on to the countries of Western Europe.
(Left) Humanitarian aid takes on many forms.
Organization of Refugee Events
Through the CBC Refugee Center, run by the VIA church in Cluj, we hold weekly meetings with refugee families (most of them women and children). We organize English and Romanian language classes; legal, psychological and spiritual consulting; Awana activities for the children; and trainings, conferences, events and trips to various places for therapeutic purposes.
(Below) Awana Romania is pleased to disciple many children who have come to them from Ukraine.
Supporting Refugee Families in Rented Apartments
At the moment, we have three refugee families living in apartments rented by Awana Romania. Two are in Cluj and one is in Brasov. In addition, we support five other NGOs that provide accommodation, meals and humanitarian assistance in the same way to 23 families. The families include those who fled the bombed areas – most of them mothers and children. Awana Romania pays the rent, the utility expenses and the internet. The children have school online, and some parents work online. We also provide support for emergency and medical treatment for these families. We are also partnering with seven churches/organizations that are hosting 300-500 refugees every day.
(Below) This sign advertises – in both Ukrainian and Romanian languages – free homes to Ukrainians.
The Beauty of Collaboration
Each mission has its own story. The beauty of the work is there is collaboration and unity between the organizations that deal with refugees or send aid to Ukraine. Working together, we complement each other and grow in relationships, meeting the many needs of both those in Ukraine who stayed at home under the threat of bombs and lack food and medicine, as well as those who took refuge in Romania.
I have approximated that in this network in which Awana Romania is present, more than 20 organizations and churches are involved, with more than 500 volunteers who make available many hours of service full of passion, love and compassion.
At the same time, every gesture of love, care and support is greeted by our friends in Ukraine with a smile, appreciation and peace of mind. Our satisfaction is when we see people who have a stable place to bow their heads, and who have food, medicine and protection. Thank you, dear American friends, for all your support and prayer that make these efforts possible.
(Above) The many people and organziations that have come together are helping to ease the life of families who have fled the war in Ukraine.
Please keep these teams in your prayers. They are providing important, yet dangerous work. If you feel led to provide finanical assistance to Awana Ukraine staff and the people of Ukraine, please click the donate button, below.
June 6
As a children’s ministry, we are particularly concerned about the war’s impact on children. According to statistics from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately 5 million of Ukraine’s 7.5 million children have been displaced by the war with more than 2 million currently staying in neighboring countries. One of the ways we have been able to help some of these children is by providing families with laptops for online school. So far we have provided 10 families with laptops.
We are also helping to provide housing, food and basic resources for families in and outside Ukraine, as well as Awana club programs and counseling for these displaced children. Please pray for the protection of children. There have been more than 500 documented casualties (death or serious injury), and almost all children are experiencing some level of anxiety and trauma. May the Lord minister to each one and give us more opportunities to care for their needs.
If you feel led to provide finanical assistance to Awana Ukraine staff and the people of Ukraine, please click the donate button, below. To learn how your financial gift will be used, keep reading this blog and go to awana.org/ukraine.
For help discussing the conflict in Ukraine with your kids, see our Ukraine Conversation Guide. To talk with children about how God is with us in scary times, use this special lesson and download the accompanying resource.
May 27
Bread for Widows
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)
Your support of Awana is helping us to take food to widows in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Awana staff in Ukraine distributed meals to several widows who have not been able to flee the country and who even struggle to visit the refugee center. Please pray for the precious women pictured below and the others, as well as the people caring for them during this difficult time. As a member of the team said, “The Lord sees and remembers each one, and we are blessed when we visit and meet the needs of these dear ones.”
May 25
The partnership between Awana and Boca Raton Community Church (BRCC) in Boca Raton, Florida, formed 12 years ago to create a leadership development strategy called WorldLead is having an impact in Ukraine. In the years since the program began, dozens of Awana missionaries and staff around the globe have been trained with WorldLead courses. For the past two years of the pandemic, BRCC has been producing 20-minute leadership videos and facilitating online discussion groups to explore the leadership principles in community with other Awana leaders.
This past fall, the Ukraine team began translating the videos and worksheets for use with leaders locally, and the training was providing great encouragement and help to our leaders across the Eastern Europe region. When the war started at the end of February, the training was suspended for a couple of months. But earlier this month, a training was held in our Ukraine national office.
The leaders are grateful for the partnership with Awana and BRCC, and expressed appreciation for the the truths of God’s Word through the program and the challenge it’s offered them to grow in their faith, especially in seasons of crisis.
We are also thankful for Boca Raton Community Church and their partnership with our global ministry through prayer, finances, leadership and love.
May 20
Many children have contacted us to share that they are praying for Ukraine and supporting our Awana team there. Here are three creative ways children have been showing their support.
Making a Special Car
This young girl, who attends Awana at Harvest Bible Chapel in Barrie, Ontario, decorated her Awana Grand Prix car with the Ukrainian colors and a special message, “Pray for Ukraine,” in both English and Ukrainian.
Harvest used their Grand Prix event to raise money to support Awana missionaries in Ukraine. Rachel is part of a Ukrainian family that attends Harvest. Her grandfather is in Ukraine and has been unable to leave Kviv because of a disability. Through the Grace of God, a Christian organization near him was able to send someone to get him out of his building and to a refugee camp.
The day after the Grand Prix event, family members flew there to get him. Please pray for them as they help him get his affairs in order and safely travel home. Rachel’s car was a heartfelt addition to the race and this family felt the love during the event. She even placed 3rd for speed.
Writing Letters of Encrouagement
A young lady in Wisconsin wrote this letter to encourage other girls affected by the war in Ukraine. Our translator was able to share it with the girls attending Awana clubs in Ukraine. We pray it will minister to many and perhaps even help a child come to faith.
Knitting Kittens to Raise Funds
This young lady was touched by what the Awana Ukraine teams are doing. So, using her passion for Awana and for knitting, she designed kittens to sell to family and friends in support of Awana Ukraine. Sophie’s Kittens have been a labor of love. So far she has raised more than $200!
How are you and your kids supporting Ukraine and the Awana Ukrainian staff. Please let us know by dropping us a line and sending pictures to communications@awana.org.
May 17
Most of you have probably heard of the Kiev suburb called Bucha. This is the city where the world discovered many of the atrocities being committed against Ukrainians in this war. Since Russian troops have withdrawn from the suburbs of Kiev, some of our Awana team members have been able to go in with relief supplies, and show love and support for the people there. This past weekend, Victor, our Awana Ukraine director, was able to help provide meals for approximately 70 people in Bucha. Victor has been visiting many of the war-torn areas to provide relief.
Please pray for Victor and for the people of Ukraine. They are grateful for our prayers and need our encouragement to keep going in this long and difficult crisis. Ukrainians desperately want the war to be over, but they also want to support their soldiers in the fight for freedom. We ask the Lord to be their defense, and to restore freedom and peace to Ukraine.
If you would like to provide finanical assistance to Awana Ukraine staff and the people of Ukraine, please click the donate button, below. To learn how your financial gift is being used, go to awana.org/ukraine.
For help discussing the conflict in Ukraine with your kids, please see our Ukraine Conversation Guide. To talk with children about how God is with us in scary times, use this special lesson and download the accompanying resource.
(Left) People wait in a line to receive food in Bucha, Ukraine.
(Above) Victor, our Awana Ukraine director, serves food to displaced Ukrainians in Bucha.
May 12
Today’s testimony comes from a skeptical grandmother.
When Vika was a young girl, her parents were unable to care for her, so she went to live with her grandma. Before the war, Awana Ukraine was known for hosting clubs to serve children who were receiving social services from the government. This is how Vika came to visit Awana for the first time, four years ago. Vika came to the Awana program every week and learned each week’s Bible verse. Still, her small group leader perceived her to be emotionally distant, keeping to herself. With time, however, Vika opened up to her leader and made a decision to follow Jesus.
The transformation took a little longer for Vika’s grandmother. She would bring Vika each week and sit in the corner to watch. She would help Vika with her verses, but she refused to come to the church on Sunday. This grandmother was guarded and wanted to keep her distance from the church.
That’s what makes what happened next so exciting! This grandmother recently reached out to Vika’s Awana leader in Ukraine. She explained that she and Vika left the country when the war started because Vika needs special medical treatment and can receive it more easily where they are now. She told this Awana leader that a church near them is helping them, and they attend every Sunday. Vika’s grandmother said, “Do you remember the way I used to be [refusing to come to church]? But now I see where the good things are done. We are cared for and we are treated with love, so I want to go there!”
This is a story of one girl and her grandmother from one club. It shows how sometimes we are called to plant seeds and others will reap the harvest. Vika’s Awana leader says, “It reminds me to continue loving people and serving them!”
We pray that the Lord will multiply stories like these hundreds and thousands of times over as believers across Europe represent Jesus and love their neighbors through this crisis. Thank you for helping our team in these efforts and thank you for praying for the people of Ukraine.
May 10
The following is our latest update from Eastern Europe Director Pavils Grigas. He speaks of hope and hard times. The needs are greater than ever.
Hello, dear friends!
I would like to start with sincere words of gratitude. You are people who live far away in a different country, but your heart can’t be at a standstill seeing this injustice, grief and tears. Your support gives us opportunity to help those people who were fleeing from war and death – leaving their homes or whatever was left of them – and had moved to other cities. The people who had cars were more lucky because they could take more things. But more often people didn’t take their things, choosing to help others escape with them instead.
Our Refugee Centre has been working since 2014 when the war first came to Ukraine. But since February 24, 2022, the day of Russia’s total invasion of Ukraine, our Centre has been working more intensively. We worked seven days a week for the first two months. Now we are trying to leave Sunday as a day of rest because our volunteers are running out of strength.
How does the work of our Centre look like? What do we do? How do we help? First of all, the population of our city before the war was about 300,000 people. Now, according to the official data, more than 120,000 people have moved here as refugees!!! Some of them live around the region in villages, where local people can offer their homes, or they live in abandoned houses. But most of them live in the city, especially families with children and elderly people who need medical assistance.
Our Centre opens its doors every day to people who are looking for help. And it’s not easy In addition to meeting all the needs in food, clothes, etc., we also hear stories of broken lives and war-broken hearts.
(left) As more families are displaced in Ukraine, larger numbers of people are lining up for supplies at the Refugee Centre.
Once a week – on Wednesday – we have “Food supplies day.” It’s the day when people can receive one bag of food per family. Volunteers pack the bags in advance, because at 6-7 a.m. there already is a huge queue of people wanting to get food. Frankly speaking, it’s horrifying and painful to see what a miserable state these people are in – how elderly people with tears in their eyes take the bags and thank us for them as if they were the most expensive gifts. Many people do not restrain their tears. Most people with shaky hands have just enough strength to say “thank you.”
This war has broken so many lives. We give out around 200 bags and also keep records of people, because we give one bag per family once a month. So it is around 1,000 food supplies bags per month. We can’t allow more because the number of the needy only grows, and the resources are limited. We also have some extra bags that we can give out on other days to people who are in a critical situation and simply can’t wait till next Wednesday because they have no food at all.
There’s a great need for diapers. Many people live in health centers and school buildings where the living conditions are far from home conditions, and of course it’s very very hard with small children. We have to open packages with diapers and give only by tens to be able to give to more people.
Most needed sizes are 5 and 6. We also help with food and cereals for babies. For younger ones, baby mix; for older ones, cereals and purees. My heart aches when elderly women come from time to time, so quietly that no one else hears, and ask for puree personally for themselves.
Diapers are a necessity for families with babies fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Every day people also have access to clothes and shoes. Volunteers sort clothes by men, women, children, so that it’s easier for people to choose what is necessary. Now there’s a great need for summer clothes because people were fleeing their homes in winter [and had been] hoping the war would end and they would be back home soon. We gave out many pillows and blankets in the first weeks. Now people often ask for bedding, towels, hygiene supplies, soap, shampoos, shower gels, etc.
I used to hear about war from my grandma and grandpa. But it was like a story, which was over. 2014 brought a new perception of war because it became reality, especially for the east of Ukraine. It’s impossible to explain, justify or ignore what is happening now. We will never be the same again. Many people will never return to their homes, will never see their friends, will not hug their families.
But now we have an opportunity to serve. Bring light to where everything is covered by despair and grief. We can serve those who are broken and have lost every hope. I thank God that through your help thousands of civilian people and thousands of soldiers, who are protecting our country, can feel care and love. I believe that with God’s help Ukraine is going to gain victory! And what about now? Now is the time to serve, care, love, show Christ … and wait for the near victory! May God bless you all!
May 6
Great news! Awana clubs have restarted in many Ukrainian churches in Western and Central Ukraine. With the war entering its third month, Awana leaders still in Ukraine are recognizing the need to provide weekly love and support for children experiencing the traumas of war. Most of the children are internally displaced, living in a strange city to flee the active fighting in East Ukraine. These children are desperately in need of hope and love.
Thank you for helping our Awana leaders in Ukraine to provide materials, counseling and care to these precious children. Thank you as well for praying for them and their families. May the light of Christ shine even more brightly during this dark time in Ukraine.
If you would like to send encouragement to Ukraine through pictures and messages, please send them to communications@awana.org. (Remember to get parents’ permission first!) We’d be pleased to share them with our European teams.
May 3
“And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42, ESV)
Our Awana Ukraine team has had the opportunity to take food to Ukrainian soldiers a number of times. Recently they had the idea to encourage the soldiers with Bible verses, too. They purchased paper cups and stamped them with these verses:
Be strong and courageous – Joshua 1:9
Do not be afraid, God is with you – Isaiah 41:10
Please pray for the soldiers in Ukraine risking their lives to protect the citizens of that country and pray that God uses these difficult times to spur revival in the Ukraine military. We pray many will come to know Christ as Savior and Lord and receive the eternal peace only He can bring.
April 28
Today Tom Chilton, Awana global vice president for Europe/North Asia, reports on the church and Awana club where he serves and their efforts to support the people of Ukraine.
“I want to say enough verses to help start a whole new Awana club!” That’s what one of the second-grade girls in my Sparks club said when our Awana club at Gospelife Church in Carol Stream, Illinois announced we were going to have an Awana Verse-a-Thon as a mission project to support Awana Ukraine.
Verse-a-Thon is a creative fundraising tool in the Awana GO resource library. Each child gathers sponsors who will donate a fixed amount per Bible verse the child recites from memory within a specific timeframe. All funds raised go toward reaching children in other parts of the world that need support getting a club started. Every $10 reaches a child with the Gospel and provides him or her with lifelong discipleship through an Awana club at a local church.
Well before the war began, our club decided to support Awana Ukraine. When we launched our project March 2, just a week after the start of the war, we began to think God had even bigger plans for our club. It was our first time holding a Verse-a-Thon, so we set a goal of raising $2,000. The week before our event, a generous church member pledged $1 for every verse our clubbers recited up to $1,000.
On Verse-a-Thon night, about 20 parents and church members came to listen to verses. As a dad, I was very proud of my 8-year-old son who recited 21 verses, and his friend who said every verse in his handbook. And the precious girl I mentioned at the beginning of this blog recited 91 Bible verses from memory and raised enough support to reach more than 50 children! Altogether, the children recited more than 850 verses!
It was a wonderful night of learning about Ukraine, and praying for children and families there. I was so filled with joy to hear each verse recited by heart and to be part of a whole-church effort to show love to the people of Ukraine.
In total, the children raised more than $7,500. Last night at our awards celebration, our director announced that Gospelife Church was making an additional donation to bring the total gift to $10,000! Just like He did with the little boy who offered five loaves and two fish, the Lord Jesus blessed and multiplied the faithful offerings of our children. To God be the glory!
April 25
This past weekend, Ukrainians celebrated Good Friday and Easter. On Holy Saturday, approximately two months after the start of the war in Ukraine, our team from the Awana office hosted their first Awana club since the war began. Only a few of the children from the original club are still in the city, so 90% of the children were from internally displaced families boarding in the local school building. The club met outside of the school and brought a much-needed time of joy and laughter to the children and their families. Here is what our local club director said about this special gathering:
“Thanks to you, we were able to lead Awana — Awana games and a Bible story for kids. We were able to share with them not only the Good News of salvation, but we were also able to share sweet things with kids who need it so desperately. They were happy to feel this love, to feel this joy and to forget about the war for a few minutes.
“I want to thank you for being the hands of Christ, for answering His call, for helping, and for caring about people here in Ukraine. Please continue to pray for us. Pray for peace. Pray for a miracle. Pray for all the workers here to continue to use every opportunity to share the Good News, even during these difficult circumstances. May God be glorified, and may you be blessed for everything you do. Thank you.”
We are thankful for how God is working in the midst of this crisis. Thank you so much for your prayers and support.
If you would like to provide finanical assistance to Awana Ukraine staff and the people of Ukraine, please click the donate button, below. To learn how your financial gift is being used, go to awana.org/ukraine.
April 21
Today’s update is from Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu. He says:
“In our country, the relief mission continues. Last weekend, a new humanitarian mission consisting of several organizations, including Awana Romania, took food, clothing, medicine and other necessary goods to Poroscovo-Ukraine. With the help of the local pastor Ioan Patras, packages were distributed [to families] in many localities. And on Sunday [these families] participated in a program from the local Church, where 1,000 people gathered.”
(Above left) People wait in line in a Ukrainian village for food and other supplies delivered by the Awana Romania team and partner organizations. (Top right) Pasta is one item that is shelf-stable and easy to cook. (Bottom right) Lollipops in hand, these children play while the adults take care of getting the necessities.
(Left) An estimated 1,000 people attended a church service in a Ukrainian village after receiving supplies from the Awana Romania team and partners.
April 19
Fix Our Eyes on Jesus
Today’s update is from Tom Chilton, Awana global vice president for Europe/North Asia.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2, NIV 1984)
This past weekend we celebrated Good Friday and Easter. For our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, the holiday lines up with the Eastern calendar and will be celebrated this coming weekend.
One of the marvelous things to remember as we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus is that He chose to take our punishment. As the writer of Hebrews explains it in the verse listed above, Jesus endured the cross because of the “joy set before Him.” What was that joy that Jesus could see ahead? What gave Him the courage and resolve to pray “not My will but Yours be done” in the Garden of Gethsemane? Why did He endure the trials, the mocking, the beating and the scorn? Romans 5:8 gives us a window into God’s heart for us:
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus went to the cross and suffered in our place. He took the punishment for us out of love. The joy set before Him was fellowship and relationship with us! Oh what glorious news is God’s lavish love for us! Jesus did everything for us that we could not do for ourselves, in order that He might restore our relationship with God the Father.
As our brothers and sisters are suffering in Ukraine, a part of our hearts shares in their suffering. Much more than that, God knows and cares and is with them in their sufferings. He hears their cries for help. He wants to give hope to the people of Ukraine, and our Awana team is there sharing His love and His hope with those who are suffering.
As Ukraine celebrates Good Friday and Easter this weekend, please pray for many people in Ukraine to hear the Good News. May God help them to fix their eyes on Jesus and to seek the relationship with Him that He lovingly purchased for them on the cross.
April 14
Awana Ukraine Welcome Center Update
In the past week, many more Ukrainians are fleeing renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine and are arriving in the city where our Awana office is located. The city normally has a population of 270,000. Today there are an additional 70,000 internally displaced people there. The welcome center reports that more than 100 families are visiting the center for resources each day.
The Awana team has developed a process to interview each person arriving to find out how many are in their party, how long they are staying, if they need housing, what kinds of resources they need, and any other ways they can support them.
(Left) Every person who comes through the welcome center is recorded, along with their needs and how long they plan to stay.
One of the most important things the team members do each day is pray with people before they leave the welcome center. Many of those receiving help have not been open to prayer before, but now they are asking the team to continue praying for them after they leave.
Please pray for the Awana team to keep receiving all of the supplies they need. Pray for their physical and emotional stamina as they seek to serve as many people as possible each day. Finally, please join us in praying that those who receive care at the welcome center will come to faith in the Lord Jesus.
(Right) The welcome center provides many of the necessities the refugees need to get them safely where they are going, including food, clothing and medical supplies.
Final Note: Today is April 14. In Awana Global, we often talk about children between the ages of 4 and 14 being the most open to the Gospel, so we set aside April 14 (4-14 Day) as a day to pray that every child, everywhere will have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus. Today, we pray especially for children in the war-torn countries of Ukraine, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Syria, and Myanmar. We pray for rescue for children facing abuse or violence in every part of the world. May we, the Church, be there to welcome children in Jesus’ Name in the hope that they come to know, love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Above) Volunteers fill bags for refugees who come to the welcome center.
April 12
February 25, 2022, our Eastern Europe and North Asia Regional Directors Pavils and Valentina Grigas left their home, their two daughters and two son-in-laws and Valentina’s mother to take their three grandchildren to relatives in Latvia for safety. It took 12 hours to drive to a spot near the Polish border, where they had to leave the car with the family members who drove them there. At that point, they had to walk more than 18 miles and wait at various checkpoints for more than 48 hours outside in the cold before finally reaching safety in Poland. Pavils’ nephew picked them up in Poland, and they finally reached the home of Pavils’ younger brother, Yuris, in Latvia at 3 a.m. March 1.
From 2014 to 2022, Pavils and Valentina had cared for internally displaced families fleeing violence in Eastern Ukraine and coming to live in their city. Now they found themselves displaced, living as refugees, and needing to receive care from others.
It has been emotionally very painful for them to be separated from their family and friends, and from their church and community. They want to be back home helping and defending their country, but God is showing them much kindness as they receive help from others. And God is using them mightily to direct and support many of our humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
(Left) Pavils and Valentina in their apartmentment in Latvia, an apartment gifted to them from the government of Latvia.
In previous blog posts, we’ve shared about the generosity of the people and churches in Latvia. These churches and individuals were looking for ways to get involved and to support Ukraine, and Pavils and Valentina arrived at just the right time. Pavils has been an advocate for Ukraine in many churches and city centers
across Latvia and has received a welcoming audience. Latvia is a small country that shares a border with Russia, so the people of Latvia are sympathetic to Ukraine’s efforts to remain free.
(Right) Pavils advocating for the people of Ukraine in one of Latvia’s largest churches.
Pavils and Valentina are thankful to the people of Latvia for providing them with an apartment. They were blessed when Brian and Sandee Rhodes, who lead Awana Global ministries in the U.S., brought them clothes and packages from the U.S. and took them shopping for items they needed. Just one month after arriving, Pavils and Valentina were so blessed and grateful to Awana donors in Canada, who sent them funds to purchase a used vehicle in Latvia. Your donations helped with their resettlement expenses, too. Thank you!
(Left) The used car Pavils and Valentina were able to purchase with some of the donations Awana Canada received and forwarded to them.
One of the blessings that makes Pavils and Valentina most grateful is having their three grandchildren enrolled in a good school in Riga, the capital city of Latvia. There the grandchildren are staying with the church youth pastor’s family and are enjoying good fellowship. Pavils said, “When I see their smiles I know we did the right thing bringing them to Latvia.”
On a Zoom call yesterday, Pavils said, “God is still in control. So we are working [in Latvia and Ukraine], and God is allowing us to do ministry. In the places it is still possible to have an Awana club gathering, we are doing that — for the kids and for the Lord. Thank you for your prayers and support and your love. We are feeling like we are not alone, and that is really important to us. It helps us believe God is still in control. He is working through His children everywhere, and we are working hard to do what He has given us to do each day.”
(Above) From left: Valentina, Pavils, Lilia Grigs (Pavils’ sister-in-law) and Yuris Grigs (Pavils brother).
April 6
Today’s update is a letter from Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu. He explains the current needs for refugees — mostly medium- to long-term — and what has been accomplished because of your generous gifts.
We have found that most of the aid provided so far has covered urgent but short-term needs. We are now realizing there are medium- and long-term needs with the refugees who have remained in Romania and need to integrate into society.
People are provided with accommodation and a hot meal a day, but their financial savings are over. We help financially a canteen by buying food to provide for everyone in this situation. There are Romanian families who have hosted refugee families and have been living together for a month, 10 people in an apartment with two bedrooms. We rented an apartment for a refugee family, paying the rent, the utilities and the internet (children learn online).
One of the most difficult things we face is communication. Few Ukrainians know English. For this issue, we are in the process of hiring a Romanian and English teacher. I have also encountered refugees with disabilities who cannot travel alone to the canteen, counseling centers or the hospital. We try to arrange transportation or work with taxi companies to transport them.
We have organized Awana programs with children from Ukraine in refugee centers in several localities in the country where Awana clubs operate. Most children who have gone through the trauma of war, moving to a new location with an unknown language, with no father or grandparents close, urgently need a community that will accept them and ensure their safety and stability. In this sense we are in collaboration with Christian psychologists, social workers, youth pastors, teachers and workers with children to create specific programs for these children and young people, using the spaces in churches, schools or sports clubs. We are ready to offer both specialized advice and to rent the necessary facilities.
Together with business people, we are trying to provide jobs for these refugees. When a case arises, we know where to turn. For us Christians, I realize it is a time full of possibilities and opportunities that God offers us to show love, care, compassion, to make sacrifices, and to present Christ in a special and different way.
For me, my biggest challenge is not to waste a minute, a penny or a person I can help. I also need discernment in using all the resources and possibilities to help. And because I can’t do everything myself, I want to continue collaborating with you, the sponsors, with the existing partners and to find new partners through which to reach even more needs.
I appreciate your prayers, the trust you give me, and your encouragement. May God reward each of you with what you need.
Sincerely,
Adi Stanciu
Adi Stanciu speaks with youth and young leaders during a recent Awana Clubs gathering in Romania.
Kids who have fled their home from Ukraine are integrating into Awana Clubs in Romania.
This Ukrainian family takes transportion that has been provided through your generous financial gifts.
April 4
Thank you to all who have been praying and partnering with us to support Ukraine. It is always encouraging to us, and especially to our teams on the ground in Europe, to see and hear that so many people are lifting up Ukraine and its people to the Lord. Below are two notes and the precious pictures we recently received, which we have forwarded to our staff in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
“Our Awna club in St Croix Falls, Wisconsin at Alliance Church of the Valley has been and will continue to pray for Awana workers and kids in Ukraine, as well as neighboring countries seeking to serve refugee children and their families. Below are photos of our Sparks and T&T classes, as well as a banner the kids and leaders signed expressing our love and prayers!”
“We are with Barnhardt Baptist Church in Goodview, Va, and this past week we talked with our kids about the situation in Ukraine and we took time to pray for the Awana kids in Ukraine and those affected. We wanted to share these pictures with you … .”
If you would like to send encouragement to Ukraine through pictures and messages, please send them to communications@awana.org. (Remember to get parents’ permission first!) We’d be pleased to share them with our European teams.
March 31
One of our Awana missionary couples in Western Ukraine has opened their home and church to house displaced families. While the kids are staying with them, the kids are able to attend an Awana club meeting. Please pray for these children as they hear the Gospel and learn that God is with them and loves them.
In the middle of war, these children are able to attend an Awana club meeting in Western Ukraine,
where they hear the Gospel and learn that God loves them and is always with them.
This multipurpose gym goes from AwanaGames™ space during the day to sleeping quarters at night.
Eastern Europe Director Pavils Grigas also asks us to pray for the following requests:
- Emotional courage and strength for our Awana team serving in Ukraine
- Wisdom, as they want to help with as many needs as possible in the right way
- Safety for one of our missionaries traveling back and forth to Poland for supplies
- Medicines and other items that are desperately needed
You can financially support the people of Ukraine by clicking the donate button, below. To learn how your financial gift is being used, go to awana.org/ukraine.
For help discussing the conflict in Ukraine with your kids, please see our Ukraine Conversation Guide.
To talk with children about how God is with us in scary times, use this special lesson and download the accompanying resource.
March 29
From Latvia with Love
In the March 24 update, we told you about a van load of humanitarian relief donated to our Awana office in Ukraine. What we didn’t know at that time was that the van was also donated! A business owner in Latvia heard about the very important relief work Awana was doing in Ukraine.
It just so happened he was looking for a reliable organization to support; he wanted to be sure his donations, and the donations of others in Latvia, would reach the intended recipients. After learning about the work Awana was already doing to collect and distribute aid, he decided to improve the efficiency of the operation by purchasing a used Mercedes van and donating it to Awana.
One of our team members got special permission to leave Ukraine and traveled all the way to Latvia to pick up the vehicle and drive it back. Not only did Latvians collect essentials to send to Ukraine, but they also sent extra gifts of love: chocolates for children and even dog food for one special furry friend and protector. As our Eastern Europe Director Pavils Grigas said, “Even in war time, children like sweets.”
A church congregation in Riga, the capital city of Latvia, heard there is a dorm facility in the same city of Ukraine as our national office, which can house up to 100 people. So the congregation decided to donate four new washing machines to help internally displaced people who will be housed there. This weekend, a member of our Ukraine team will drive the humanitarian aid van to the Poland/Ukraine border to pick up these washing machines and more supplies. Please continue to pray for safety and this critical, life-saving humanitarian work, made possible by your support and our wonderful partners in Latvia and Ukraine.
This sign in Latvia gives people a website address where they can donate and get assistance.
The message reads: With Love to Ukraine from Latvia.
March 25
In today’s update, we share two messages we received from our Eastern Europe team. The first entry is from one of our staff members in Ukraine. The second is from Eastern Europe Director Pavils Grigas.
I’m in Ukraine and I’m alive.
Today is the 29th day of the war. The war that took the lives of thousands of civilians, children and soldiers who defend our freedom. War that destroyed schools, hospitals, kindergartens. War that practically wiped out Mariupol, Kharkiv, Irpin, Bucha, etc.
Every morning I start my day with prayer for peace. Then I write messages to my friends from different parts of Ukraine: “How are you?” And the most common answer today is, “I’m alive. Thank God.” My heart aches when someone is not answering.
My Awana team continues to gather on Zoom every evening to pray for Ukraine. We pray, we cry, we beg for miracle.
How long will it continue?! Nobody knows. Only God. So I try to trust Him even when it is difficult. I thank Him for His mercy and I thank you for your prayers and support. It is so meaningful for me! It helps me to stay strong and fight. Fight for souls, fight for miracle, fight for future!
To God be the glory!
THANK YOU for PRAYERS and LOVE, which we are feeling each moment of our life minutes during this time of war!!! During all our busy days we have chance to work with people here who collect and send help to Ukraine what is become possible because of your financial support !!!
IT IS REALLY WAR MY FRIENDS!!! And each day we may count HIS MIRACLES!!! THANK YOU FOR LOVE AND PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!!!
Continue to work to help to be HIS hands in peoples needs!!!!
Pavils
A young boy eats among the things given to his family, supplies purchased with your financial gifts.
March 24
Today we recognize that it has been a month since the war in Ukraine began. We are in regular contact with our teams in Ukraine, Latvia and Romania, which have provided the majority of the information we have reported on. They cherish your prayers and appreciate your financial support.
Awana Global Ministry leaders and former Europe Area Directors Brian and Sandee Rhodes, who have been in Europe to assist the teams and offer encouragement, sent us the following message:
“Every night, members of our team are caring for new refugees, providing for tangible needs – clothing, medicine, fuel, car repair and even cash – all the while sharing the Gospel and praying with and for those in their path. Last week, one of our partner churches in Ukraine baptized new believers despite close proximity to the ongoing conflict. A regional pastor shared that more than 1,000 refugees are being cared for each night in homes and church facilities in Ukraine. There is great hope in the darkness. Our churches and leaders are showing the love of Christ hour by hour. This is playing out not only in Ukraine, but in bordering countries as well, and the Lord is at work in and through our missionaries and staff across Eastern Europe.”
A second truckload of food, medical supplies, clothing and other aid – collected in Latvia (purchased with funds from your generous donations) and delivered to the border of Poland and Ukraine, where Awana Ukraine picked it up – arrived safely yesterday to the Awana Ukraine office. The supplies were quickly set up and organized in the nearby hospitality center, which welcomes families fleeing the crisis in their neighborhoods.
Brian Rhodes (third from right), Sandee Rhodes (fourth from left) and Pavils Grigas (fifth from left) helped load the truck in Latvia that was filled with supplies that arrived in Ukraine yesterday.
A box filled with supplies is labeled with a very special message: Latvia loves Ukraine.
A baby sleeps amidst supplies from Latvia that were dispersed at a “Welcome Center” in Ukraine.
These women sort clothing that will be made available to Ukrainians in need.
March 22
Our latest message from Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu was filled with gratitude for the financial blessings your contributions have made to so many refugees. Through the Soul to Soul program, which we mentioned in a previous update, Awana Romania is now providing spiritual and emotional counseling to families who have fled Ukraine. Awana volunteers are also using Awana materials to offer organized opportunities for children and youth in the refugee centers to process what they’ve been through.
In addition to these things, Awana Romania staff have also established the following partnerships to meet a variety of needs:
- Association for the Aid of the Disabled to accommodate, feed and provide social and medical assistance to refugee families who have a member with a disability. Awana Romania is establishing sponsorships to fund ongoing help.
- An Awana church partner in Bod is assisting 20 to 30 refugees per day with accommodations, meals and transportation. Awana Romania provided support for utilities and a new freezer that was needed.
- Awana Romania is partnering with A Hot Meal that helps up to 50 refugees a day, offering them a hot meal, accommodations and medical assistance as they come through the train station in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Awana and the ECCE HOMO Organization (also in Cluj) are sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine and to refugee centers in Moldova.
- LOC Foundation, which regularly works with the poor and orphans in Romania is now hosting 30 refugees and providing food, medicine and other emergency aid. One family needed a car repair so they could continue their journey west. Awana Romania was able to help with funds.
- Lastly, Adi’s home church has opened the CBC Refugee Center. One Ukrainian refugee family has been hired to run the facility that will provide housing and necessities for families coming to Cluj or passing through going west. Awana will partner with the church to help care for these families.
It takes everyone working together.
Late last week, Awana Global Ministry leaders and former Europe Area Directors Brian and Sandee Rhodes, along with our Eastern Europe Director Pavils Grigas (who has relocated from Ukraine to Latvia), traveled to Romania to meet with Adi and the Awana Romania board. Together they all discussed strategies to meet the immediate, medium- and long-term needs of the crisis.
Says Adi, “God deserves all the glory for the way He has blessed and guided us so far, and we appreciate your support shown through prayer, counsel and financial help.”
A sign in a train station tells refugees where to get assistance.
A food pantry is set up in a train station in Romania to serve Ukrainian refugees passing through.
Cots are ready for Ukrainian refugees to use as they arrive in a Romanian train station.
March 17
The news stories out of Ukraine are grim and discouraging. The bombing of the theater in Mariupol that was housing more than 1,000 displaced persons is heavy on the heart of the Awana team in Ukraine. They are grieving lives lost and the assault on their homeland. Yet in the face of heart-breaking news, they press on.
We thank God our team is still safe and able to serve many in their community and many more passing through who stay one or two nights in the Awana office and in the homes of our staff members. One of our missionaries reports that they are praying with people who would not have been open to prayer before the war. She said, “we even pray with the big, strong soldiers, and they are grateful.”
“On Wednesday, two mothers and six small children stayed at the Awana office. They are all traveling together in one car! Our team leader said the children were able to run around the Awana building and have fun, even though they were fleeing their home. Respite, safety and comfort to meet their physical needs, plus prayer and messages of hope to meet their spiritual needs. These are some of the ways our team is able to use your gifts, see prayers answered, and be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.”
Please join us in praying these verses from Psalm 121:7-8 for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine:
The Lord will keep you from all harm — He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Even if our team continues to face hardship, we know the promises of Romans 8:38-39 are true:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thank you for partnering with us.
Image credit: YouVersion
March 16
Our Awana staff and partnering churches in Latvia recently collected food, clothing, blankets, medical supplies and other much-needed resources, which they took to the border of Poland and Ukraine. Ukrainian volunteers picked up these supplies and transported them into their country for use by our Awana staff. This collection of life-saving supplies was made possible through donations in Latvia, as well as your generous gifts. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
A Latvian humanitarian aid vehicle backs up to a Ukrainian truck at the border to unload life-saving supplies collected by Awana staff and partners in Latvia.
Food, clothing, blankets and medical supplies are transferred to a truck that will be taken to our Awana staff in Ukraine.
A member of Awana Ukraine unloads the supplies that will be dispersed and used to help families fleeing the war and soldiers defending their country.
Learn more about our plan to respond to the crisis with humanitarian, financial and spiritual aid.
For help discussing the conflict in Ukraine with your kids, please see our Ukraine Conversation Guide. To talk with children about how God is with us in scary times, use this special lessonand download the accompanying resource.
March 15
As part of our plan to support Ukraine, many of your generous gifts have been sent to Latvia and Romania where our teams on the ground are helping to meet the needs of refugees. We give thanks to all who are loving with action and with truth (1 John 3:18). To learn specifically how Awana Romania is using your donations, read today’s detailed update from Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu.
Relief, Soul to Soul
We have officially launched the Soul to Soul Campaign. In this way I was able to contact churches, organizations and Awana clubs that are involved in supporting refugees. We already have 12 organizations with which we have established partnerships, helping in several directions: financial, consulting in support of refugees and especially providing emotional, spiritual and material support for refugee children.
I sent funds for specific needs: beds, mattresses and bed linen; food for serving three meals a day; transportation for refugees who want to travel to other places in the country or in other countries; repair of broken cars; medical treatment and assistance to be treated at the hospital; printed children’s books in Ukrainian; transport of humanitarian aid to Ukraine; the arrangement of tents for refugees; the payment of utilities for small country churches where refugees live.
I visited refugee centers and connected with their children and parents, playing together, listening to each other’s stories and sharing the Gospel. Everyone I interacted with was very surprised by the support. Many refugees did not understand why we were doing these things. It was the best opportunity to share the Gospel and Christ.
Pray for “Very Big” Needs
The needs are very big for both refugees and us who are involved in helping them. I am writing to you here asking you to support us in prayers:
For refugees (most of them are women with children). People are scared and confused and don’t know what to do now or for the long term. Those who have friends in Western Europe want to get there. But those who have no one, have to stay in Romania and look for work. Most have left their husbands and parents behind and are worried about those who are close to fighting. Also, their houses and property have been abandoned and they do not know if they will recover them.
For us, those who help coordinate efforts. (Many refugees reach the border and are blocked because they have no way to reach other cities.) As an example how we solve the problem, our church rents a bus to bring the flow of refugees from the [border], twice per week. But is just one bus.
[For] financial resources. There are some churches that have put the mattresses in the church hall [for the refugees]. Other [refugees] stay in families offering free food and accommodation. Resources are running low and people are worried that they will have no money to buy food, fuel, electricity and gas [which] became 30-50% more expensive in a week. There is also a panic about the materials of current necessity that are starting to be no longer found in stores.
There is a great need for translators. Most of us use phone programs. We, Awana, provide a part-time salary to a lady who was hired as a translator at a refugee center. We offered her salary for three months, and we will see how we will find resources in the future.
Heroes Are All Around
All this time, I’ve seen a lot of heroes. Families who have made great sacrifices to help. Pastors and leaders (who use the Awana program) who haven’t been home with the family in a week. Children who quickly become friends with Ukrainian children, offering what they value most and giving up their savings.
Pray for us to know how to use every penny and how to continue raising the money needed to continue the Campaign.
Thank you for being close to us.
From Soul to Soul, Adi
Your financial contributions provide warm and safe beds for weary refugees.
Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu (right) and Awana Romania Coordinator Bianca Hambasan (left) play with refugee children and listen to their stories.
March 14
We’ve received financial gifts and inquiries from Awana clubs across the United States regarding the crisis in Ukraine, including Packsaddle Fellowship in Kingsland, Texas, which is pictured below. Some churches are using Verse-a-Thon as a way to collect funds. Congregations have then added to what the kids collect. Others have made individual donations.
All proceeds sent to us – 100% – are being sent to Awana teams in Ukraine and in the bordering countries. You may send in your gift electronically or mail it to Awana at 15877 Collection Center Drive, Chicago, IL 60693. Please put UA001 in the memo line.
If possible, please send us photos of your kids praying, saying verses or communicating special messages to Ukraine. We are sharing them with our teams there, which is giving them much encouragement and joy.
(You may send them to communications@awana.org. Remember to get parents’ permission first!)
Upon receiving the photo from Packsaddle Fellowship, our leader in Ukraine wrote back, “Oh, that’s so precious! Give them my love. You help us so much. Through you we can serve others.”
March 11
Awana and our local church partners are stepping up to meet the needs of refugees and give them hope! Our teams are on the ground, in both Ukraine and neighboring countries, to provide much needed assistance to those seeking safety. Working through local churches, we are supplying Ukrainian women and children food, clothing, shelter and medical attention. We are also providing fuel, car repairs and money to help those who are continuing their journey to nearby countries. Most importantly we are praying for and sharing God’s love with everyone we encounter.
Brian and Sandee Rhodes lead Awana Global Ministries and recently visited our Eastern Europe and North Asia Regional Directors Pavils and Valentina Grigas in Latvia.In this video, Pavils shares his story of becoming a refugee from Ukraine and Brian talks about how the Awana Ukraine team and the church are sharing the love of Christ to a hurting community of people.
March 10
You Hold Our Hands … For His Glory
One of our key leaders in Ukraine has sent us reports each day this week. Each message starts with the news of attacks on civilians and the horrors of war. It is truly devastating. Yet each message ends with stories of serving others, and people finding help and hope. Here are just two highlights in her words:
“As many as 1,200 refugees pass through our city every day. My husband is skilled as a mechanic, so he is helping people to make repairs to their vehicles, finding parts they need and buying fuel so that they can keep going the next day to the border.”
“Today we have nine people staying at the Awana office. One mother is here with her two children. Her daughter is an epileptic, so we spent the day looking for medicines to help with her seizures. Thank God we found the medicine that was needed! Tonight the children are washed, fed and warmed up. Tomorrow morning they are leaving by train to the border. And that’s just one little story. There are thousands of them.”
She concludes her note this way, “Please continue to pray for us. God provides opportunities to serve, and you hold our hands. We believe that tomorrow will bring new opportunities that will be used for His glory!!! To God be the glory!”
March 9
We are so grateful for the way you’re supporting the people of Ukraine through prayer and financial gifts. As we explain in “Our Response to the Ukraine Crisis,” your support enables us to provide humanitarian, financial and spiritual aid to the border countries and to people within Ukraine. Awana Romania has organized its own response, and it’s a response we have been able to financially assist because of your generosity. Today, we share what they have been doing.
Our Awana Romania Missionary Adi Stanciu shared that the Awana Romania church partners are already working with Ukrainian refugees to meet their needs for shelter, food and clothing, and assisting them with legal paperwork. A refugee family of five is being hosted by an Awana leader in the village of Noslac. The family visited the Awana club there this past Saturday and spent Sunday with Adi and his wife in their home.
Adi said, “It was a great time to find out what they went through. They have no plans for the future. They left home with only a suitcase. They are waiting for the war to end and return, but they do not know if they have a whole house. Each person has their own story, which amazes us. We are overwhelmed by these stories, but we try to be practical, to encourage and to help with everything we can.”
Awana Romania is also partnering with a Romanian nonprofit to take supplies into Ukraine to help families and churches there. This past weekend, an Awana Romania volunteer assisted. She reports they unloaded the truck quickly at a church because they didn’t want to stay outside for long. The streets were empty and only a couple of grocery stores were open. She adds that there are also fuel shortages and no money in the ATM machines. Awana Romania plans to send more aid this week. Thank you for your prayers and support.
March 8
It is sometimes difficult to read the messages our Ukraine staff members send us, but we are grateful to hear how God is working through them during the war and to know they are safe. Here are two we recently received.
War is Worse in Reality
“Today was a busy day. New refugees are staying in office, so now we have new friends. They are from Kharkiv, frightened and desperate. They lost everything and don’t know what to do. We try to show them love and make them, as much as possible, feel comfortable and safe. A few minutes ago an air threat was announced, but we are waiting for one more older couple from Kharkov to come to us. [Another staff member] is delivering food to soldiers, and I found a minute to sit, pray, think and write a message.
I’ve heard a lot about war from my grandparents and I’ve learned about it at history lesson, but it is much worse in reality. You can feel fear in the air. You need to sit in a cold basement and wait. You worry about your friends who are on their way to the border. You pray for soldiers you know by names and feel relief when once in a while they write you, “I’m alive. Thank you for prayers. Everything will be ok.”
Oh, I wish it would never happen. I’m lost in reality. Sometimes I feel myself strong and brave and sometimes I feel frightened and confused. Please continue to pray for us. We need strength, physical and spiritual. We need miracle! May God be seen through us in this difficult time of the war.”
Happy Moments of Life
“In the background of disturbing and terrible days, wonderful and long-awaited events in our family. We want to share our experiences and our joy with you. February 27 [was] born granddaughter Sophie, and today [March 7]) our son [got married]. We thank God for giving us happy moments of life. Pray that our family can come together and celebrate the events of joy and victory!”
March 7
We continue to get word from our contacts around the world about the efforts they are taking to serve the people of Ukraine. Ruben Marian, president and CEO of Utilben, serves on the board of Awana Romania. In this video he shares the immediate impact and need of the war in Ukraine and the many ways individuals can help support the ministry on the ground in this region.
Already Awana Romania has six partner organizations and churches working with them. Says Awana Romania missionary Adi Stanciu, “The list is just the beginning. Our main contribution is to take care of the children in the refugee centers, offering them care and counseling through games, crafts, Bible lessons, prayer, clothes and toys, and others according to their specific needs.”
They plan to create a package of services they can offer to other Awana Clubs in the country to help the refugee communities in their areas. They are also working on a fundraising strategy.
“The needs are big, but so are the opportunities,” he says. “Our motto is like this: everyone can do something.”
March 4
We’ve been receiving updates from one of our Awana Ukraine staff members. This was a message she sent late yesterday.
“Today was the 8th day of the war. It brought many bad news about attacks, missiles, deaths. But on the other hand it was filled with great joy. Today our church had a baptism and my Awana girl, [now an] Awana leader was baptized. Being in Awana club from the early childhood she [had been] fighting her tears of disappointment and rejection. There had been many prayers and talks and today, in the midst of the war, she makes this decision [to be baptized]. It gives me hope. It gives me strength. It inspires me and reminded one more time that God is in control. He hears our prayers and He answers. So he will answer our prayer about peace. To God be the glory!”
Earlier in the day, she sent us this audio report.
March 3
The situation in Ukraine continues to intensify, including attacks on civilians and children. The Awana Ukraine team was able to offer shelter in the Awana office for a family of six that was traveling to escape the violence in their city. While our team in Ukraine is responding to the crisis, we are responding here. We have outlined a crisis response as an organization. Go to awana.org/ukraine to find out more about it and learn how you can get involved.
Children may be hearing about the crisis and have their own fears. Our curriculum team has put together a special conversation guide for you to use when having discussions with them. You can find it at awana.org/ukraine-conversation-guide.
To learn more about the Awana response to the Ukraine crisis, please watch the video below to hear from Awana President & CEO Matt Markins and Global Vice President of Europe/North Asia Tom Chilton. And, please continue to pray.
March 2
Today’s update is from Tom Chilton, Awana global vice president for Europe/North Asia.
Today marks the seventh day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I have heard from several of our team members in Ukraine, and they are weary – weary of the air raid sirens, sleeping in hallways or basements, and anxiously awaiting the next day’s news. I have to confess that I, too, am weary from concern and anxiety and wondering how best to advocate for my precious brothers and sisters in the Lord. That is when I stop to remember two things:
First of all, I know God is in control and He is able to hear all of our cries and come to our aid in time of need. David wrote in Psalm 145:18, The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. Jesus, Himself, instructed us in Matthew 11:28, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. The Lord knows what we need, and He is with us. We draw courage, hope and strength from the everlasting love of our heavenly Father.
Second, we are surrounded by the body of Christ and are blessed by the love of our Christian family. Emails and messages are coming in from around the world to express support through prayer and fasting and sharing resources. Today I learned about Awana clubs and leaders in Romania who are sending food and clothing for the refugees streaming into their country and are making preparations to care for the long-term needs of the refugee children. I heard about a flower shop making sunflower bouquets in honor of Ukraine and donating all proceeds to our Awana missionaries. The leaders of Awana Mongolia and the Mongolian Evangelical Alliance gathered together in a demonstration of great unity to pray for Ukraine and our Awana team. Tonight, my Awana club will announce a Verse-a-Thon to raise support for Awana Ukraine.
These are just some of the expressions of love that remind me to hold fast to hope and to keep going. And I pray our Ukrainian brothers in sisters in Christ will draw courage, renewed strength and grace sufficient for the day from the Lord and from your continued support. Spasybi!
March 1:
Six days after the invasion, the impact of war is weighing on our team. Those who were not called to fight continue to minister where they are by serving refugees and soldiers with coffee, meals, hugs and the love of Christ. Please continue to pray for their safety and for opportunities for them to share the Gospel and be witnesses for Him.
We recorded a short video that explains their situation a bit more. If you feel led to support Ukraine with your financial gifts, please follow the link below.
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February 28:
Thank you for praying over the weekend. We have heard encouraging reports of churches around the world lifting the people of Ukraine up in prayer. We thank God that our one family fleeing the country has made it safely over the border. Please continue to pray for the many Ukrainians still seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The rest of our Awana team has stayed in the county and is providing ministry to the communities where they are living or staying. We are trying to keep in contact with all of our staff and received this message from one of them:
“We are here to defend and serve! God, even now, gives us opportunities to serve. We pray together for peace; we pray for safety; we pray for courage. We help those who need it with prayers, with food, and sometimes just giving a hug.”
Please continue to support the Awana Ukraine team with prayer and with your financial gifts.
Lord, Hear Our Prayers for Ukraine
Awana Ukraine began serving churches, children and families in 1992. Over the past 30 years it has grown into our most vibrant and influential ministry in Europe. Awana Ukraine partners with 548 churches, reaching and discipling more than 25,000 children across Ukraine every week. The regional office there also supports the ministry of Awana in 10 other countries.
On February 24, Russia launched a full-scale invasion on Ukraine. Our hearts are heavy for the children of Ukraine, for our Christian brothers and sisters there, for our church partners and for our 11 Ukrainian families on staff with Awana. We are in regular contact with our leadership there to discern how best to help them. Some of our families closest to the fighting have already had to flee their homes and church families, and one family is sending their children to another country for safety. We also have missionary families with adult children who are being called up to fight in defense of Ukraine.
As the war intensifies, the situation appears dire. We do not know the long-term impact on the nation or our ministry, but we do know God is in control. We trust in the Lord, and we know He is close to the brokenhearted. We call out to Him to hear our prayers, to protect His children and heal their land. We invite you to join us in prayer for the following requests:
Our Prayers for Ukraine
For peace. Lord, we pray that You would end the current conflict with Russia and restore peace for all of Ukraine.
For kids in Awana clubs. May the oldest to the very youngest of those who have put their trust in You, Jesus, be filled with your Holy Spirit to pray and share their Gospel hope with family and neighbors during this crisis.
For Christian leaders. May the adult Christ-followers in the country boldly share their faith where you have placed them. May they be bold fighting on the front lines, bold in the hospitals where they care for the injured, bold in places of refuge, and bold in their communities. May they declare the Gospel in the face of strong opposition.
Awana staff and their families. We ask You, God, to provide protection and resources for those who are relocating, for those staying behind and for those who have been called to join the military. May they know Your presence, care and sufficiency for whatever they face.
All Ukrainians. As basic supplies run out in the country, we ask for Your provision. May those supplying humanitarian aid safely make it to those in need. May Ukrainians freely give to one another what they do have, and may there be an outpouring of Your love as bordering countries welcome in refugees.
World leaders. As world leaders respond to the crisis, we pray for them to have discernment, to stand together in unity against aggression and turn to You, God, for help.
Our hearts. May we remember that our hope is in You. You have each of us on this Earth for such a time as this. We want to be Your hands and feet to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and to bear each other’s burdens. We give You thanks for all You are doing and will do through us.
We will continue to provide updates to you from our ministry team in Ukraine and share ways to support them. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. If you would like to support them financially, you can give online at awana.org/country/ukraine.
The Awana Editorial team is a group of people passionate about child discipleship and the equipping of leaders for the advancement of the kingdom. We have a breadth of experience in children’s ministry, and our heart beats with the stories of what God is doing around the world. We have an affinity for salty snacks and the occasional sweet treat, and we believe that everything is better with a good cup of coffee!
