Slovakian Church offers aid to Ukrainian Refugees
Dodo Michalec is the pastor of the Ekklesia Church plant in Kosice, Slovakia. He shares the story of how his church has opened up to helping refugees passing into Slovakia from the nearby Ukraine border.
What we didn't even know, and didn't want to imagine a few weeks ago, became a reality. The war started near us.
So far, it is taking place on the territory of our neighbours, but we are all already experiencing the consequences of the war.
Our city of Kosice is 90 km from the Ukrainian border and is the first large city where refugees come. Every day, several thousand mothers with children cross the border from Ukraine to Slovakia.
In the first days of the war, refugees who had money and contacts passed through our city. They knew exactly where they wanted to go, which country to the west of us, or they had rented accommodation where they could wait for the conflict to end.
But these days those who have travelled for several days come; they have no money, do not know where to go. Their belongings are usually packed in ordinary shopping bags; they only have a few things. They are tired, scared and do not know English, only Ukrainian. It's a challenge to talk to them, but Google Translate helps us. They come in almost the same grouping - grandma, mom and several children.
Last week we helped a family from Kiyv. They said they had not slept since the beginning of the war; they were under constant stress and pressure. The father had to stay and fight in Kiyv and the rest of the family travelled for three days to reach the border, crossing it at night. They are basically without finances and would like to go to Denmark. We accommodated them with two families, let them rest for a few days and then bought them bus tickets to Denmark. People in our church brought them travel bags so they could pack things better.
Last week we helped a family from Kiyv. They said they had not slept since the beginning of the war; they were under constant stress and pressure.
Our city is now a transfer station for refugees from Ukraine. For a few days they need accommodation, to wash, eat and sleep well. And then they hopefully continue by train to western Slovakia or to other countries.
I am very glad that our government, companies, organisations, the church and most of the people have united in helping the Ukrainian people.
I am glad and thankful to God that the people in our church Ekklesia are as willing to help as they can - to accommodate families from Ukraine, to take care of them, to help them financially, to cook something for them, to go to the border or to donate something necessary. And I am also glad that our denomination is preparing the first truck with humanitarian aid for Ukraine, and we believe that others will follow.
I am also glad that our denomination is preparing the first truck with humanitarian aid for Ukraine, and we believe that others will follow.
Please pray for the Lord to provide what we need for transportation, food and many other needs in the service of the needs from the Ukraine.
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