Every little helps - How we hope to encourage Ukrainian pastors and churches through the winter.

On our recent trip to Ukraine we had two aims...

• 1) To encourage wherever possible, and 
• 2) Ask the question, "how can we be of most help" ?

In all such encounters where God is giving his people special grace and miraculous provision to cope (even flourish) with the darkest of times, we were the ones who came away encouraged. There are numerous stories of church congregations being 5-7 times larger than they were 6 months ago. This is particularly true in rural areas and where proactive teams are taking the gospel to those most hurting. God is good !!! 

So what was the answer, how can we help our precious Ukrainian Church family through this pivotal and potentially brutal Winter? 

The practical needs are great, but by God's orchestration many situations are not unsurmountable. God has given us the privilege of partnering in close fellowship through this time, and the company of God's people always refreshes. The indwelling word of God renews both mind and heart, in new gospel challenge comes new provision and we walk one day at a time by faith.

WHAT CAN WE DO? 

• Our relief aid continues and in faith we are praying for more provision as this
  
  
  relentless and multitasking time of winter is increasingly near. Aid over recent months has opened doors, hearts and unreached districts to listen to the gospel. We want to maintain links with those most in need, and help build on the considerable trust given by those whose hearts are increasingly open, about the trauma they've seen, the big questions they have, and about their own need of God in his grace. Despite stories disappearing off our news, the reality for some areas is that aid is more needed than ever. We look to God to provide for his glory. Thank you all who have given to relief aid over the last few months. In all areas, you have partnered with the growth of the Church and seen much fruit for your investment in the mission of God.
• We have set up a special winter project knowing what a strategic time this is for encouragement. Many church leaders are exhausted (physically, mentally, emotionally). Yet at the same time ... the need increases as does the gospel opportunity. We want to avoid "short termism" / shortsightedness, our prayer to build up God's people / set up ministries for the long term, and reap eternal fruit. 

We have committed to doing 3 things. 

These are the priorities of the Pastor's networks, the requests of most strategic things to do to help all the churches, and encourage gospel ministry.  

• 1) Service Pastor's vehicles, and get them ready for the Winter with winter oil and tyres. 
• 2) Provide generators and heating for gospel ministry.
• 3) Encourage Pastors: with fresh resources, online materials, and encouragement conferences. 

NAVIGATING THE WINTER ...

FOR CONTINUING STRATEGIC GROWTH OF THE GOSPEL: 

Here's why and where our help is so important:

• VEHICLES: During the last 234 days, Pastors have used their personal (family) vehicles relentlessly. They have constantly travelled (tank and military hammered) roads, transported displaced friends, crawled through borders and checkpoints, delivered aid, distributed vital materials to keep people and churches going. Their vehicles are not ready for Winter but are groaning. In desperate need of a winter service and some TLC we look to provide for those pastors who need funds to do this, and be equipped with winter oil and tyres. Without help in this area ministry... pastors being on the move and the availability and accessibility of pastors to be where they are needed (when they are needed)... will simply stop in a few days time. A winter service and new snow tyres are relatively  big bills when life is lived "hand to mouth", but as a collective group of friends we can help. It is a small thing we do, but we are assured it makes a huge difference and will keep pastors on the move doing what they are called and gifted to do. May God keep them and aid them as ministers of encouragement, the word of life, lives and ministry full of Jesus Christ. 
• GENERATORS AND HEATING: The biggest numerical growth seems to have
  
  landed on smaller churches who have been faithful and loving to provide authentic new community care. They have been blessed with new believers and the joy of numerous baptismal services through the Summer. However, now is the time for discipleship and ongoing encouragement, and soon that will become practically much more difficult. 
• Think of the pastor who 12 months ago was praying faithfully for young people in his church when he had none. Now there is no shortage of young people, new young people who have come to Christ, but how can he afford to heat the church for a youth meeting he never budgeted for, when energy prices are steeply on the rise, and his church heating system may not be appropriate ?

• 
  
  
  We have committed to helping numerous churches with the gift of a good generator to keep them going whatever the eventuality and situation, and limits of infrastructure. Ministry can continue and the true work in peoples hearts can be fuelled. Heating and energy can alternate to the cheapest option. For some churches who have seen extraordinary growth,  an extra gift to help with winter fuel, the certainty that ministry can be programmed to continue.
• PASTORAL ENCOURAGEMENT: FUELLING THE HEART OF THOSE WHO BURN WITH COMPASSION AND TO SHARE CHRIST. The list of pastoral issues in such an environment is dauntingly overwhelming, Counselling is unlimited in need, from; trauma, rape, unwanted pregnancy, pregnancy when the father has just been killed, taking the life of another in conflict on the frontline, relationship stress and marriage breakdown, grief of lost loved ones, loneliness, big questions on evil and suffering. Post trauma has become the norm, sleeping in bathrooms and corridors between thick walls for safety, on tenterhooks for sirens and power / communication cuts... all takes its toll, and especially for those who see, hear and advise on all these issues.
•  We have committed to supplying pastors with regular pastoral contact,
  
  
  specialist encouragement and advice, online resources, spiritual food to aid sermon prep whilst time is limited, disrupted and used in emergency help. Along with this we plan pastors encouragement conferences to unpack more of this material, refresh preachers in the word of GOD, give leaders time and space for strategic planning, and  a time out of context to recharge in the confines of good friends, rest,  and trusted advisers. We run a small fund for such events which may be severely tested, but we believe this is of God and he will therefore provide.
• ACTION is a "faith mission". This means that we trust God to provide. We do not want to publish numbers of either financial need, accomplishments  or set human goals of what might be achieved. Everything achieved is by God and for his glory.
• It may seem foolish to some to attempt something for which provision has not yet been fully seen, but this is what faith is...trusting God that he will give at the right time and in the right amount. This is the experience George Muller had when looking after orphans in Bristol (read here), and it has been our experience too. When someone is hungry God knows. When a loaf of bread is needed God knows. When a bakery is needed to be built God knows and provides. When a young person who has suffered needs a home, God knows. When a church is needed to be planted and resourced God knows, and when his people who serve are in great need God knows. So here is our confidence....

ARE WE DRIVING ON THIN ICE OR GOING ON A GREAT ADVENTURE ?

• This week we set the wheels in motion (pun intended) to purchase some generators in faith, set some dates to fix some cars, and purchase snow tyres and with that ...we trust God for the rest. 

If you would like to pray with us please do. If you need any other information, please don't hesitate to get in touch, as we go on this journey of God's provision and miraculous work together. 

With huge appreciation and much love,  

Blogski