Christian Caring
Christian Caring: Glue For a Broken World
June 5, 2022
Following are excerpts from a letter from the Tuscumbia (AL) church of Christ thanking Christians for contributions given to support Ukrainian Christians.
I do not have the eloquence to adequately convey my profound appreciation for the prayers and generosity on behalf of our friends in Ukraine. The numbers of Christians from across the world who have come together to show their love for the Lord’s people of Ukraine is unprecedented in my lifetime. What a glorious display of “a common love!”
Specifically, the financial gifts from many churches and individuals are providing Ukrainian Christians with the ability to travel to, and remain in places of safety. Financial assistance is being provided to places sheltering refugees in such places as France, Poland, The Netherlands, Romania, and even Russia.
Money is also being used inside Ukraine to assist in the rescue of Christians trapped in extremely dangerous places such as Kiev, Kharkov, and Mariupol. Congregations within Ukraine have received funds to provide emergence supplies, medicine, and food for their elderly and more vulnerable members. Many Christians in transit to safer places have received “pocket money” to assist with personal expenses along the way. Buses were recently rented which safely transported approximately 150 Christians from Ukraine into Warsaw, Poland. Many others across Ukraine have been assisted with their transportation needs.
Several congregations in (theoretically) safer parts of West Ukraine have done impressive work in providing places of shelter and worship for Christians from more dangerous territories. Thanks to generous donors, we’ve been able to help these brethren purchase beds, medicine, water, food, diapers, etc., and rent housing for their many guests. In the city of Lviv, we have assisted the church in acquiring and furnishing a larger place for worship . . . a place where this past Sunday there were three baptisms!
It’s been very encouraging to see the courage and faithfulness of our Ukrainian brethren as they are literally staring down the barrel of a Russian gun. What an inspiration these besieged brethren are . . . in the face of this murderous invasion.
Please continue to keep our Ukrainian friends in your prayers . . . they need some relief . . . some good news. Hopefully there will soon be peace, so that healing of broken hearts and rebuilding of broken cities can begin. And by the grace of God . . . we intend to be with them every step of the way.
This is just one specific example of the good that can be done when we as followers of Jesus are open to helping others when we see genuine needs. In the words of Paul, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive live’” (Titus 3: 14, NIV)
—Dennis Lacoss
