Ukraine Crisis Update

https://gcfcanada.comwp-content/uploads/2021/11/JVC-EK-Giving-Tue-2021-5.jpgPGJyLz4=PGJyLz4=Josiah Venture is responding to the urgent crisis in Ukraine in two ways: by supporting the work of our team on the ground inside Ukraine and by assisting Ukrainian refugees as they move into neighboring countries. Most of our Ukrainian national missionaries are currently staying in Ukraine to serve those around them. They are coordinating with over 100 different churches inside Ukraine to provide desperately needed shelter, food, escape transportation, medical supplies, personal care, spiritual encouragement, bibles, and the hopeful message of the gospel during this crisis. Some of these missionaries have been put in charge of city-wide operations for emergency aid and shelter.The rest of our staff who are working in countries that neighbor Ukraine (we have staff and networks in Poland, Hungary, Romania, Latvia, Estonia, among other Central and European countries) are assisting refugees who are coming across borders. We will be providing full-scale accommodations for up to 600 refugees in the coming weeks in homes and at our camp facilities in Poland and Czech. Most of these refugees are women and small children, many of whom had to leave their husbands in Ukraine (who are required to stay and defend the country). Our team is making sure they have food, clothing, personal items, supplies for small infants and children, personal counseling, contextualized Bible studies, and other needs met. We are supporting them throughout this crisis and setting up a long-term program for providing assistance afterwards. Your donations to our Ukraine Crisis Fund will directly support this effort.Please pray for Ukraine, our team, Ukrainian church leaders, their youth groups, and the people around them during this time of incredible challenges. If you want to pray for up-to-date prayer requests please download the Josiah Venture Prayer Room App or follow us on Instagram where we will be posting these requests.Yesterday morning, as we woke up to sirens for the second morning in a row, our family made the decision to cross the border into Hungary. This is by far the hardest decision our family has ever made. We quickly packed our bags, Enoch's essential things, and left the apartment, the world we love and cherish.There wasn't a moment yesterday where one of us wasn't crying (Enoch included). We are still processing the emotions, and of course second guessing leaving our loved ones in Ukraine. God is in this. We visibly see His guiding hand.However, the story we want to share with you is that of tragic loss and immense courage. Our hearts are absolutely broken by what we are seeing unfold throughout Ukraine. The injustice is infuriating. The innocent lives lost are devastating. There are so many people and churches we work with that are either in hiding or displaced.One thing you need to know about Ukraine and Ukrainians is that they are stubborn. They are defenders of their country. They will not bow down to Russian aggression. The churches we are in contact with in western Ukraine are taking in and caring for refugees. They are gathering essential items like first aid, bedding, and food to further welcome in their displaced countrymen. Believers are gathering and praying for God's protection over their loved ones and the country.They need our support, not just in words, but in action as well. Let's actively advocate for them before the Father. Let's actively plea to our leaders to offer aid and assistance. Let's pursue the right avenues to personally offer support to the churches and to offer humanitarian assistance to the refugees.Our family is mobilizing to help refugees who cross the border. Josiah Venture is prepared to take in refugees and house them and give them food. All of this is in participation with local churches throughout Central and Eastern Europe.Currently, Ukrainian men ages 18-60 cannot leave the country. Consequently, the borders are overrun with women and children trying to enter the EU. Some borders have wait times of 2-3 days. When we crossed into Hungary late last night we witnessed the heartbreak of fatherless families crossing the border. Alternatively we were impressed by the care and patience of the border guards, which is not a usual occurrence.So many of you have written us with prayers, and asking how you can help. We are overwhelmed with gratitude by your support. How can you help? Here are the avenues that Josiah Venture is exploring and how you can be a partner in it...

Here is how you can pray...

For the leaders and military of Ukraine – wisdom, strength and the will to fight.For the European and world leaders – clarity, courage and strength to respond.For the church – for protection and empowerment as they are the hands and feet of Jesus to needy people around themFor our team – safety and the ability to effectively serve in the midst of a very challenging crisis.Pray for Olya's family and cousins. Her family is safe for now in her home town. Her cousins are in bomb shelters in Kyiv.Pray for our friends who are serving in the Army. *New Requests: Max is worried that tonight there will be diversion attacks. Pray for Stas that he will come back home safe.PGJyLz4=LEARN MORE PGJyLz4=PGJyLz4=PGJyLz4=https://gcfcanada.comwp-content/uploads/2018/06/josiah-venture.jpgPGJyLz4=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PGJyLz4=PC9icj48L2JyPg==https://gcfcanada.comwp-content/uploads/2020/11/GCF-Logo-2.png

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Since 2002, the Great Commission Foundation has been providing a place for individuals, ministries and organizations to thrive in ministry. Our vision is to work together to help the impoverished, further education, and help fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

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