The Grace Shelter is situated in Odessa where many orphaned children find a loving home. Sadly, they still have to witness the missiles that regularly pass overhead, leaving many emotional and physical scars.
But through it all, God’s hand can be seen as the children, who are recipients of care, are encouraged in turn to care for others within their community.
Currently, financial support from the government is being withheld, making SGA’s contributions even more important. Olesya Krohinov, recently described SGA as her large family’s ‘oldest and most reliable friend’, whose steadfast support has seen them through the most difficult of times. As the director of Grace Shelter, she is deeply thankful for the years in which they have shown concern for both their material and spiritual well-being.
Some of the children have serious medical conditions for which financial support is particularly important. Artem came to Grace Shelter at a time when the doctors treating him didn’t consider it appropriate to offer him anything other than palliative care. However, after much prayer, medication became available for him, and he is now in remission and doing well. Another child suffered a severe head injury at the hands of his parents and arrived at Grace Shelter in need of several operations. The most recent of these took place during a missile attack and left him blind. But again, after much prayer, God acted, and Samuel had his sight restored.
Pray for these and the other children, many of whom also have long-term health issues.
Pray that, as well as their physical and emotional needs being met, they will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Pray too for those who care for them – that despite the immense pressure that they are under, they will be given the strength they need to continue to love all those in their care.
This is truly ‘a Shelter in the time of storm!’