God Uses Refugee to Spread Christianity and Awana Outside Ukraine

Bogdan, a Ukrainian refugee who’s been living with his wife and children in Lòdź, Poland since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, saw a need for Awana Clubs in the Ukrainian refugee churches in his new home country. So, after pleading from his children — who missed attending Awana — and a lot of prayer, he started an Awana Club in Lòdź. It proved so successful, he set out to tell leaders at other churches about Awana.

As a result of his coordination, determination and reliance on God, this past month around 40 participants from at least 10 churches — including delegates from Belarus — attended an informational training in Lòdź, which was led by Awana Ukraine leaders Anita; her sister, Rometa; Rometa’s daughter Paula; and Olga. Bogdan, pictured in a red shirt in the foreground of the image above, was also there. If the names Anita and Olga sound familiar to you, it is because the two have been the subjects of several of our Ukraine update blogs and the recent Awana video event Postmen Delivering God’s Grace, which also featured Eastern Europe Director Pavils Grigas.

Bogdan told us that church leaders attending the training were engaged and interested in what they learned. Now he (and we) are praying they will take the next steps needed to begin offering Awana Clubs to their congregations. Please join us in praying for the same.

As Bogdan told us last year, “This ministry is so important for Ukrainian refugee children since their fathers are in Ukraine and their mothers are forced to work. These children are growing up by themselves, and that is why there is a great need for someone to spend time with them and tell them the Gospel.”

To contribute to the needs of Awana Ukraine, which also supports Ukraine refugee churches in Poland, please follow the link below. To read more about Awana in Ukraine and the work that is being done in and around the country, please read our past blogs at awana.org/ukraine-updates.