SGA-sponsored missionaries in Ukraine are providing camps for children who face uncertainty and traumatic circumstances. The house-parents of Grace Shelter orphanage in Odessa have also organized camps in western Ukraine where all can be safe and secure.
Igor Bandura points out that children are overwhelmed with regular drone and missile attacks as Odessa has been under constant attacks for more than eight months. Every time, children and adults are forced to hide to save their lives. Several times a week sirens interrupt studies as children hide in bomb shelters. All this traumatizes and leaves a heavy mark on the psyche and health of children.
When the Mission received a request to finance this initiative the immediate response was to reach out and provide for these children and youth. We are very grateful to you for your ongoing support which enabled us to provide the funds required for the camps.
In his correspondence Igor shares that Odessa is located on the shores of the Black Sea, but swimming in the sea is prohibited due to random sea mines exploding there. He went on to say that, ‘Therefore, the children’s dream was to rest in the mountains, in the Carpathians.’
‘Thanks to the financial support of SGA, we were able to realize the dream of the children of our orphanage. Summer vacation is a time for rest…. We chose two Christian camps: one for older children, and the other for younger ones.
Older children are satisfied with the wonderful atmosphere and high-quality Christian programme, and, of course, with the incredible Carpathian landscapes. The combination of a spiritual programme, delicious food and active recreation is exactly what our children needed for rest and recovery!
We thank our friends for their prayers and financial support!’
A few weeks ago, we made the following prayer request. ‘Pray that young lives will experience emotional healing and spiritual encounters with God.’
Praise God that prayer has been answered! We were thrilled to hear that five young lives have come to faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you!
