SELCU PASTORS SERVING UKRAINIANS ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR FAITHFUL SUPPORTLimited Access to Food, Warm Clothing, Electricity, and Heat!  The pastors of the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) continue to bring the good news of Jesus to hundreds this Christmas in their war-torn country, bringing people love, hope, and light. Approximately 6.5 million people in Ukraine have been displaced and are facing freezing winter conditions after being forced to flee their homes. Many take shelter in damaged buildings and have limited access to food, electricity, and heat. LCC received the following update from Pastor Sergey Bevz in Dnipro.  Unfortunately, the situation has become more difficult. As we expected, there were serious "winter" problems. Russian missiles and drones are attacking Ukraine's critical infrastructure. Therefore, we often do not have electricity, sometimes for several days in a row. Because of this, there may also be no heat, water, communications, and the Internet. Therefore, today, in addition to products, generators, power banks, candles, batteries, various flashlights, and lamps also fell into the category of critical items. However, we continue to serve the people. As before, every Sunday in our building is the issuance of assistance to needy residents and refugees who live in our city. People receive food and essentials. Also, once a week, we make humanitarian trips to the de-occupied territories of the Kherson region. We carry food packages, medicines, candles, and batteries. We are also collecting warm clothes as much as possible. Russian soldiers, during the occupation, took away many warm things from them - jackets, blankets, sweaters, and much more. People in these places have not had electricity for the last 8-10 months. They also lack gas, often water, and communications. Of course, the physical, spiritual, and emotional state of these people is often very difficult.  At this time and in this context, we experience the period of Advent and Christmas in a very different way. Now we think about how our Savior came to a hostile world about 2,000 years ago. We are especially comforted by the fact that the Lord personally knew the state of this world, personally knew human cruelty and militancy. But at the same time, Christmas reminds us that we are not left alone. We are not abandoned by our Lord. We are not left without His protection. His name is Emmanuel, and God is with us. He came to be with us and be our Savior. We rejoice that He achieved His purpose. We are glad that He has "de-occupied" our hearts and souls for His Kingdom. The Lord is with us, and this gives us firm hope! Therefore, please accept Merry Christmas greetings from me and the Lutheran Church "Living Water" in the city of Dnipro! Thank you for continuing to support Ukraine and those affected by the war! May the Lord richly bless you and strengthen you in faith! Regards, Sergey Bevz  LCC received the following update from Pastor Oleksiy Navrotskyy: I want to thank you and all partners of Lutheran Church Charities for the incredible work you are accomplishing in my country. Without exaggeration, you and we together have impacted tens of thousands of lives of Ukrainians when they were scared, cold, hopeless, and lonely. Your compassion and generosity have brought hope into the life of so many. God knows the real number of those men, women, kids, and elderly people who were saved from despair and death this year. On behalf of my fellow citizens, church members, and brothers - pastors of SELCU, I thank you for your cooperation in the humanitarian and Gospel mission in Ukraine. Nikolaev Lutheran church (where I serve as a pastor now) is fully packed with new people who hear the Gospel, confess their sins and faith in Christ, and are studying in Confirmation class. It is a real miracle and revival (in the best meaning of this word). God works through His divine Word, growing faith and a new life in so many. You are partners in this labor. Thank you for your trust and the honor to distribute the resources of LCC in Ukraine. We do it attentively with prayer and consideration.
We hope that this war will come to an end and we will restore our beautiful country. We pray for Lord's guidance and wisdom and for His mercy to us and our countries in 2023. Thank you again for your participation in the mission in Ukraine. Your brother in Christ, Oleksiy Navrotskyy Nikolaev, Ukraine  LCC received the following update from Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko, who's spending Christmas in Ukraine serving his people, separated from his wife and children (the below picture is from last year).  Dear Friends, brothers, and sisters, What a day! We remember and celebrate the mystery of God becoming flesh! It is a special time to hear the Word of God, a beautiful opportunity to get the whole family together and enjoy the gift of family, love, hope, joy, and faith. As one of the pastors in Ukraine, I treasure this time because so many people will be able to come and hear the meaning of Christmas for the very first time this year! Despite the war and feeling of being empty, powerless, lonely, and even abandoned – what a privilege to come and to bring the life-changing, hope-giving, faith-creating, and strengthen Good News – “For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
I would love to use this time to express my deepest thanks for all your work, your prayers for us in Ukraine, and your generous support! As I travel, getting the needed things for people, preaching, or just praying with people, you are always with me!
Thank you so much for allowing me and many others to see and experience God's love agape and His care through you! I want to wish you God's blessing. May the Lord be with you and with us. Pastor Oleg Schewtschenko Please prayerfully consider donating to help Ukrainians by showing the Mercy, Compassion, Presence and Proclamation of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering and in need! Comments are closed.
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