Poland
ITMI's Leszek Wakula is the pastor of the only Baptist church in his large city, Lodz, Poland. Leszek's church has taken in Ukrainian refugees and is busily helping them and caring for them.
Leszek recently wrote the letter below. He shared these stories answering the question, "Can we be thankful in time of war - in the midst of this incredible disaster?"
Can we be thankful in time of war - thankful to God, stay thankful in the midst of this incredible disaster?
Yes, we can, we have to, we need to!
As we continue our support, help, care for Ukrainian refugees and some churches in Ukraine, we see and have reason to be thankful.
Let me share two such reasons as a testimony of God’s mercy and presence in the midst of this horrible war.
Last Sunday we had the chance to hear the testimony of Larisa, mother of 3 teenage kids, whose husband had to stay in Ukraine. She is a believer for 10 years.
Along with her family and church, she was praying for the salvation of her husband who was an atheist.
So war has come and their life was under serious threat of being taken away at any moment.
Larisa was at peace, she prayed with her children, that if they have to die, let it be quick and without extensive pain, but they are ready.
Not like her husband. He was terrified by the reality of dying at any moment due to the ongoing bombing.
In despair, he asks his wife - Larisa - what I have to do, to be ready?
"Trust your life here and now into Jesus' hands. Believe in Him and you will be fine - safe, saved for eternity," she told him.
The next moment in the shelter her husband kneeled down and in tears submitted his life to Jesus.
A couple of days later, she was ready to leave for Poland and let her husband fight for their country.
Larissa gives her testimony at Leszek's church.
Can God do anything good out of such a terrible situation?
Yes He can, He just did and we are more than sure, He does this right now all the time.
Many lives in Ukraine are saved, saved right now, even as you read this update.
God is at work, as He reaches out to millions of Ukrainians through the compassioned and sacrificial work of millions of Poles.
And here is another testimony, if anything good can come out of this war.
I can testify to you a spiritual change that is taking place in our church and many other churches across Poland. I can testify to a different approach to daily life and challenges.
I can testify to Christ's Love in action among our church members. I can testify to a change of priorities - serving Christ and others comes first, then our own comfort, well-being, or even safety.
So…yes there are reasons to praise God and be thankful, right here, right now - His light shines bright and strong against all darkness.
We continue to receive daily refugees, we help them find places to stay, we clothe them, feed them and care for them, we bring deliveries to the Ukrainian border twice a week to be taken by leaders of several churches in Ukraine.
A team ready to unload supplies in Ukraine.
Unloading the delivery van in Ukraine.
Ukrainian church members and pastors sort deliveries to help the needy.
Leszek's church members organize aid and evangelistic events reaching Ukrainians.
Please keep praying as we continue our efforts and seek to be more effective in our ministry to Ukrainian refugees.
Since the need to bring deliveries to Ukrainian churches, we need to purchase a used van.
We are using now the private van of one of our church members, who is not in too good shape and can’t go at any time.
Once we are done delivering goods to Ukraine, we will give the van to one of the churches in Ukraine.
As you see - many things to be thankful for and pray for.
Thank you for standing with us and encoring us in our relief efforts.
On behalf of the Lodz Baptist Church
Yours,
Leszek Wakula
Leszek's church also has members that came from Ukraine. Leszek's church has been aiding these smaller Ukrainian churches for quite some time.
Leszek said,
"As we began the partnership with them some years ago we, of course, were not aware a time like this will come and God will use those relationships to be effective in our relief help."
God is good and He is on the move and doing some incredible things in Eastern Europe.
You've been tools in his hands as He brings strangers into relationships with each other, creating opportunities to share Christ and be encouraged in Christ.
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