Down dirt roads, into houses with empty fridges. Children running around makeshift fires on the ground. Dirt floors and eight kids in one bedroom. Families still reeling from the shock of their children returning from the orphanage-boarding school two months ago. More mouths to feed, often times with less money than ever.
Starting 6 weeks ago when the COVID crisis hit Ukraine, we joined the Heritage team to deliver care packages to families in need. The packs contained 2-3 weeks’ worth of food and household supplies. Yura has driven thousands of miles, and we hope that God provides more funds for continued deliveries.
Some families are doing their best with a garden and livestock. Others have turned to drinking to numb the challenges they face. There is no continued education because most don’t have the luxury of Zoom. Neighbors are calling social services, and children are being returned to the orphange-boarding school, reinforcing the idea that the orphanage is the best solution. But if the choice is an unhealthy, abusive home, then is the orphanage the right choice?
We’ve found ourselves wondering…
Is this is really helping?
What about two months from now?
How can children return to families?
Should we just move to a village?
Make an impact on a handful of families?
WHERE is the local church? Followers of Jesus?
We don’t have answers right now. We’re living in the “not yet” of this world and this crisis.
This morning on a zoom call with Europe Without Orphans I was reminded that “God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” (Hebrews 6:10). God sees his children, the widow and the sojourner. He is just, and justice is His to execute.
If you’d like to help, you can pray for wisdom. Pray for the safety of these children. Pray for more chances to connect with these families in the coming months. Pray that they come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
You can also give to provide care packages through Heritage Ukraine at their fundraiser page or via Paypal nasledieukraine@yahoo.com
The Perekotiys 