Snapshot of Suffering
As the Russian-Ukrainian conflict intensifies, it is believed that civilians are being targeted by Russian forces in order to break the capital's resistance and to create a refugee crisis that will pressure neighboring countries. To date, 3.5 million people have fled the country, while another 6 million have left their homes while remaining in the country. However, those who have remained may ultimately be forced to leave, as well.
Though the surrounding countries desire to help, their infrastructures are not able to accommodate the volume or speed of people arriving in need of help. This, of course, puts pressure on local governments, economies, education systems, transportation, medical facilities, and housing. Policy makers are scrambling to figure out how much help they should extend and what to do next. These pressures, if not addressed quickly, can lead the vulnerable host countries to enter into negotiations with the Russians for relief. So, the displacement of civilians is a two-for-one deal that causes, not only the Ukrainians to be disoriented, but also the nearby allies.
Meanwhile, those remaining in country are faced with constant threats of losing their homes to bombings, losing their jobs to a devastated market, and losing their loved ones to military aggression. For Ukrainians to stay home means to battle the fear of any combination of these becoming a reality. The only other option is to battle the fear of the unknown and leave everything with no promise of returning.
This is a snapshot of our world’s brokenness. When power is leveraged to exploit others to build earthly empires, people will suffer.
So What Can We do?
Pray.
First, we can pray. Not as a last resort, but as a first resort. We must remember that God is not surprised by this. He is active in the midst of war. He knows the situation of all that have been displaced and all that may host them. Though it’s hard to see on the surface, God is always moving to bring forth his glory and to draw people to himself. This is what Paul says when addressing the the people of Athens at Mars Hill
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us…” Acts 17:26-27
So, let’s pray that the war will cease. Pray that suffering will be alleviated. Pray that leaders will have wisdom. And pray that God will bring forth much fruit—even in the midst of suffering. Pray that displaced people will interact with Christians and hear the gospel. Pray that Christians in the country will display supernatural peace in the midst of suffering. Pray that God’s people will work together to demonstrate the unity we have in the Spirit that transcends geographic, cultural, and linguistic lines.
Give.
When crises come, opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ also come. One vivid picture of this is when believers practically help other believers. This concept surfaces a number of times throughout the New Testament, such as when the church at Antioch collects money to distribute to the church in Judea during a time of famine:
“So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.” Acts 11:29-30
In a similar way, we have a contemporary opportunity to directly help Ukrainian Christians in their time of crisis.
The denominational network to which Trinity Grace belongs, Sovereign Grace Churches, has been working with the Arche Church in Hamburg, Germany who has helped a pastor plant a church in Ukraine after graduating from the Pastors College in Hamburg. Jeff Purswell, the director of the Sovereign Grace Pastors College knows this pastor well and has been in regular communication with him and the pastors of the Arche Church assessing the needs he has in caring for the people in his city. To date, Sovereign Grace Churches has given $14,000 to support his relief efforts. The needs are real and it appears they will exist for some time.
If you would like to give financially to support the relief efforts in the Ukraine, please give to the Europe Development Fund by clicking the button below. The Europe Development Fund has a “disaster relief” category that includes war and armed conflict. The monies given from this fund will go directly to the church and pastor we are working with in Ukraine.
May the Lord receive glory as His people in Ukraine are encouraged through the prayers and practical gifts of their Christian brothers and sisters around the world!