A Send Relief team visits a Ukrainian refugee center in downtown Iasi, Romania. An office building is being used to accommodate refugees temporarily. Ginny Wheeler, center, talks with a Ukrainian refugee staying at the center. Wheeler is involved with Send Relief efforts.
Olga wanted to go to church for years, but her husband forbade it. He didn’t believe in God and didn’t want his family dabbling in a faith he understood to be false.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in the spring of 2022, Olga, her daughters and grandchildren fled and were welcomed at the border of Moldova by Christians from Dancu Baptist Church in Dancu, Moldova.
Moldova shares an eastern, southern and northern border with Ukraine and a western border with Romania. When news of the war emerged, the Moldovan Baptist Union, comprised of 400 churches, converted their buildings, summer camp facilities and children’s homes into shelters.
Dancu Baptist Church sent buses to the border to meet refugees. The church created a welcoming environment by placing stuffed animals on beds for the children and having school supplies on hand. They provided WiFi, three home-cooked meals a day and counseling.
David and Shannon Brown serve with the International Mission Board (IMB) and they, along with their home church, partner with and support the pastors of Dancu Baptist Church and the Moldovan Baptist Union in ministering to Ukrainian refugees. They’ve been impressed at the way Moldovan believers have embraced refugees like Olga.
Olga’s family found safety and family in Dancu Baptist Church.
Her grandchildren found freedom and safety within its walls. The emotion rose in her voice – strong and insistent, but also trembling – as she said, “They’ve surrounded us with love and care.
“They are supporting us psychologically, emotionally and spiritually,” she continued.
The Browns recruited volunteer medical teams to meet the needs of refugees housed in Baptist churches, campgrounds and a medical clinic in the capital.
Olga called her husband to tell him how well the Baptists cared for them. She was astonished by his response.
“Praise the Lord! That’s God’s grace. God is good and protected you,” he said.
She never imagined she would hear these words leave her husband’s mouth.
She finally had what she waited so long for – the chance to go to church. After attending church on two Sundays, Olga and her daughter, Alexandra, committed their lives to Christ.
Olga and her family often read a children’s storybook Bible. The illustrations helped their understanding of the Bible stories.
The children were more interested in reading the Bible than their school lessons, and they paid attention during the church services. They affectionately called the senior pastor “grandpa.”
“Did you listen to what grandpa said?” Olga asked after a service. “He said to love your neighbor,” they responded.
“We came here through God’s grace, and we are in God’s grace here,” Olga said.
Praise God that Dancu Baptist Church members are loving their Ukrainian neighbors and that love led to Olga and Alexandra’s decisions of faith. Give thanks to the Lord for the Browns as they support Moldovan Baptists and continue to minister to the needs of Ukrainians.
Ask God how you can reach refugees and displaced people with the gospel.(EDITOR’S NOTE – The IMB’s annual week of prayer for international missions is the first week of December. For 2022, the week of prayer is Dec. 4-11. Find resources at imb.org/week-of-prayer.)
