Hi friends!
We have a short update for you today on what's going on at PdF right now with the current situation in Ukraine and Romania.
Where we live and work here in Romania is only about 250km from the Ukrainian border - a border that’s now flooded with Ukrainian refugees trying to escape war.
Being so close to a war zone is a little bit anxiety-inducing for us Canadians but we're very thankful to be living in Romania, a country in the European Union and NATO, and a very safe area of Romania as well (around 250km from the border to Ukraine and just under 400km from the Black Sea).
Life in Romania right now is normal and peaceful and it's been encouraging to watch the Romanian people come out in support of the Ukrainian refugees who are making their way into Romania.
We are very aware of the fact that the world's eyes are on the Church right now - how will and how should Christians respond in times of conflict, danger, and intense need? How can we be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need and demonstrate in action the love of Christ that is in us?
Matthew 25:31-40 says, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Pdf has opened its doors to Ukrainian refugees over the last few days and so far we’ve had the privilege of hosting 41 refugees here at PdF. PdF plans to continue taking in refugees as needs arise in the coming weeks and months.
We’ll be providing temporary housing, meals, transportation, and other supplies and support as needed (toiletries, winter clothing, medicine, etc.), as well as ministering to the refugees and their children, sharing with them the love of Christ which is the foundation of our lives.
There is also a possibility that PdF may help support the efforts at the border, and Jerry is already working with the PdF leadership to plan ways to modify the upcoming Spring Mission Bible School program so the students can assist in the efforts to support the Ukrainian people. We'll let you know more about how this will look as time goes on.
We are expecting 10 students to arrive for the Spring Mission Bible School program that begins in less than a month and we're so excited to see what God will do this spring in the lives of the students and how He'll use us and the students in this situation.
In addition to the Bible School our family will help host groups and families of refugees who arrive, making sure they have what they need, praying with them, and coordinating the care for their time here. Chrissie will also help by coordinating the purchasing of needed food, supplies, or personal hygiene items.
How can you help?
Please pray with us for the Ukrainian refugees at PdF, for their children, and for all the Ukrainian people who have been displaced by war and for those who remain in Ukraine - that God would provide for them, protect them, strengthen them, and that they would experience His goodness despite the destruction.
Please pray for us and for the PdF staff, that we'd act with wisdom and out of the love of Christ that is in us. That the refugees who come to PdF would experience the goodness of God as we serve them and love them.
Please donate if you are able. We know there's no shortage of reputable organizations accepting donations for Ukraine at the moment, but if you would like to be a part of the work PdF is doing to support Ukrainian refugees in this small corner of the world we'd be most grateful.
To cover PdF's costs for hosting Ukrainian refugees we've set up a special fund with Great Commission Foundation (our Canadian Mission Organization). Americans and Canadians can donate to this fund and the money will be sent directly to PdF's designated fund for Ukrainian Refugee support.
All funds raised will go directly to support war-affected Ukrainians here in Romania as refugees, at the border, and in Ukraine.
For CANADIANS: If you would like to donate to help cover the costs of PdF’s refugee support, please visit https://gcfcanada.com/torchbearers-romania/
**Please choose “Torchbearers Romania Ukraine Relief” as the designation.**
For AMERICANS: please visit https://friendsgc.com/torchbearers-romania/ to donate
**Please choose “Torchbearers Romania Ukraine Relief” as the designation.**
If you have any questions for us, please reach out and contact us anytime. We'd love to hear from you!
Jerry - jerry.baker@pdf.ro
Chrissie - chrissiebaker@hotmail.com
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