As the Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative prepares to gather for its consultation in Albania (in two day’s time) we have received news from the Logos Centre in Kiev, Ukraine, where Orthodox and Evangelical Christians are together responding to a crisis.
Our contact there writes, “the Logos Centre (www.kiev-logoscenter.org) have opened our doors to those internally displaced people who have made it out of their cities to find refuge elsewhere. The stories are just incredible. Our centre is now “home” to 170+ people 68 of which are children, 4 pregnant moms and 1 who just delivered her 4th baby 3 weeks ago. We are a full family.
“We are working tirelessly to winterize the centre and get the folks out of the common halls where they all sleep together and into family rooms as they become available before winter arrives. Already people are sharing everything including germs!
“I know that I sought financial help from you all in the past but now we really are in a crisis spot as people have lost all to move to a place where they are expected to share all. Would you be willing to receive our newsletter and pray? Would you be willing to think creatively with us and see if there is a way to help us either financially with the purchase of a room or few rooms or send clothing or funds for food?
“There are now over 1million people displaced from their homes in Ukraine. The folks who are at our centre are mostly believers from different denominations so we are caring for them more easily in a whole person way. They are reading the Bible and praying together regularly and the Christian community is reaching out in practical ways as well. Pray with us.”
This centre is led by an Orthodox priest and has staff and volunteers from many different denominations.
We will try to find time to show a video of their ministry at our consultation next week.