Ruslana and her family are among the millions of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Few know where they will end up. Adventist churches across Europe are redefining what it means for a church to be a sanctuary. ADRA supports their efforts to take in thousands of refugees.
“We didn't think that we were hungry or we couldn't take showers because there was no hot water. We were just thinking about are we going to stay alive today or are we going to die? And we were praying all the time. Thank God we are still alive.”
“I’m Ruslana. I'm staying here in Poland at the church. My family are refugees from Ukraine. My mom, my siblings, sister, and brother. Unfortunately, our father is a preacher and he is left in Ukraine.”
“When the first day of war started, we hoped it would end soon but it didn’t. And the worst part was that our city Berdyansk was occupied on the second and third days of war, so just from the start. We couldn't leave the city at all. The pharmacies, the food stores were completely empty. People couldn’t buy food or even simple medicines and also we didn't have any network. We couldn't even call that we are alive. Our grandmother was so worried. We couldn’t even tell her we were alive. It was so bad.”
Ruslana and her family are among the millions of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Few know where they will end up.
“The majority of us don’t have relatives or friends here. And the only people who help are the church. The church kind of gives us a chance to have a future and helps us with the basic things.”
“And here is the bedroom. We slept here and it’s quite comfortable. It’s warm here and nice. And we are really glad that the church provided us a place to sleep.”
Adventist churches across Europe are redefining what it means for a church to be a sanctuary. ADRA supports their efforts to take in thousands of refugees.
“Jesus never asked, Who are you? What is your nationality? Are you a good person or a bad person? He was open. And I think this is a good example for us. When we are helping others, it’s like Jesus’ hands will be through us. We change because of Jesus, of His impact on us. We want to be His hands. We want to be His feet.”
“The global humanitarian agency ADRA…”
“The Adventist Development and Relief Agency ADRA…”
“And now the organization has people in and around Ukraine, helping the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing…”
“Groups here at home are getting involved as well…”
“But a Maryland aid group is going much farther, 5,000 miles farther to provide direct help…”
“It’s already providing shelter to refugees in youth centers and church buildings…”
“ADRA volunteers crossed the border themselves into Ukraine. This convoy carrying supplies…”
“When they said, Don’t worry, you can feel at home here and we will help you because we are your brothers and sisters in God. They just supported us and that meant so much.”
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me. (Matthew 25:35, 36)”
A portion of your Mission Offerings helps the work of ADRA.
