I’ve recently returned from Ukraine with a message for you.
It comes from church leadership teams I met in Bucha, Kyiv, Katyuzhanka and L’viv.
The message was repeated to me again and again.
‘Please tell everyone thank you.’
This is no generic thank you. This is a thank you for two vital things:
‘Thank you for asking and listening’
As Russia launched its invasion we asked leaders what would be the best way to support their churches to serve their communities. Their response shaped our response. This is for us, the only way to work – trusting the teams on the ground who know what is needed most. We know you would expect nothing less.
‘Thank you for responding so fast’
Your fast and generous giving meant that resources could be sent very quickly, so that churches could respond straight away. I was told this saved lives: as a result of resources that you gave, people received medicine, food and water, or urgent evacuation.
So, once again, from these churches, ‘thank you’.
And we’ve kept listening. The church leadership teams we work with are describing how trauma is impacting them and those they serve. We are working hard to equip them to respond and will share more in the next few weeks.
And finally, I want to share my own thank you for supporting these courageous churches as they serve their communities. There is light shining in this deep darkness and it's more visible because of you.
In Christ,
Jason
