Ukrainians update, God’s family

We have been blessed in Maastricht with various opportunities to get to know, help and be blessed by our brothers and sisters from Ukraine. Let me give you a quick update on what things look like for us. 

In Maastricht

Back in 2020 we welcomed Alexander Zotov to our congregation. He is a widower and preacher from the church in Kiev, now married to a widow in Belgium. He hand his son, Andrey moved to Belgium before the war broke out in full in Ukraine. At the beginning of the conflict, Andrey’s fiancee, Adriana, also moved to Belgium. She lives with our colleagues Ruud and Karla. 

These three Christians are a blessing to us in Maastricht. Most recently Andrey's cousin, Vlad, has joined us and lives with Andrey. They both bike to services on Sunday (and anywhere else they need to be). This is a good 40 minute bike ride. 

Andrey and Adriana also have family that moved to Eindhoven connected with the church there. We have been able to get together in the past year with those refugee brothers and sisters when we go to a devo/bbq night there or the monthly singing that we hold with the church in Eindhoven. Several of the young people also went to our Bible camp in the past weeks. 

Alexander has continued his work with the word by preaching and teaching in Maastricht. It is nice to have his knowledge, wisdom and desire to serve in the congregation. He has also helped us as we try to help others in Ukraine. He has contacts with those on the ground in Ukraine and we are able to help immediately and directly. So far the congregation in Maastricht has helped out with a brother who helps people who have problems with addiction and are even more affected by the things happening in the country. 

Elsewhere in The Netherlands

Back in the Spring the Dutch-speaking churches held their annual Spring get-together. This year we used the opportunity to look at how to deal with difficult times. Alexander was one of the speakers there, together with Oleksander, who is staying in the building in The Hague with his family. The day was encouraging and challenging as we worked through translating and dealing with various cultures and the challenging topic as well. 

Oleksander (whose nickname is Sasha - as are most Alexanders) is a youth minister from the church in Ukraine. He and his family left to be able to care for their daughter who has specific needs. Thankfully, they are able to stay in the building in The Hague. Unfortunately, this building has long needed some upgrades. But that has also been helped, most recently. 

The congregation in Muscatine, Iowa, held a special contribution jin order to help with the situation in Ukraine. They asked us how best to use these funds and we knew that they could well be used for the situation in The Hague. A new shower and washing area has been created in the building. 

Oleksander and his family are already reaching out in the community where they live. The past week and this week they organized a sort of vacation camp for Ukrainians in The Hague. About 150 people registered for these dates. Pray for how God will use these contacts and how He is using the members in The Hague mightily. Here is an article in Dutch (google translate it) that talks about Oleksdander. 

Camp

As mentioned, various young people form Ukraine attended camp. We at first had envisioned being able to host families at our Bible camp facilities. But the way that Belgium set up their refugee system made this nigh to impossible. Instead, we have been able to have any Ukrainian families send their kids or come themselves to the Bible camp week. 

There were several young people at our Youth Camp (15 years and older) as well as 4 young people at our Benjamin Camp (8-11 years) and 3 at our Teen camp (12-14 years). Add to this how God has used Russian brethren in the country to help out with translation and contact and I am thrilled at how God can make things beautiful from all situations. 

Thank you!

Thank you, Muscatine for your help with financing. Another part of your gift also went to helping a congregation in Ukraine which is welcoming refugees to their area. Thank you all for your prayers for refugees and church alike as we strive to show God’s grace and might in everyday situations. Praise the Lord for His might in making all things work according to His plan.