SERVING UNDER THE THREAT OF WAR
Ukraine has been defending itself against unprovoked, unjustified attacks from Russian military forces daily for over 8 years.
More than 14,000 are dead, 2 million refugees are displaced from their homes and millions are suffering from cold, hunger and lack of clean water.
Major Russian buildups and withdrawals have occurred multiple times while we continue to serve. Volunteer teams from six different nations have served alongside us while war wages in the east and Crimea is occupied. And most of the world is completely unaware.
But this time is a little different. 150,000+ Russian troops staged along the borders of Ukraine in Russia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukrainian Crimea, are effectively surrounding the peaceful nation. There is quiet but intensive perparation for war in Ukraine.
The mood is somber but life continues. Ukrainians are hardy and resilient people. Please pray for the peace and continued sovereign independence of the nation of Ukraine.
Click this link to watch the WFTV Channel 9 News interview with Shawn regarding the current situation in Ukraine: WFTV News Interview with Shawn Sullivan
Latest Trip to Ukraine
Shawn just returned home safely from Ukraine after a whirlwind, very productive 16 day trip.
This was the first time he has ever packed a ballistic vest and a GPS tracker for a trip to Ukraine! This was just a precautionary measure and did not indicate that he was expecting to be in any kind of dangerous situation.
He was perfectly safe the entire time that he was there and was able to meet with several new partners and complete several tasks that needed to be taken care of.
Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers for him during this trip - it was so encouraging to know you how many of your were praying!
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Stay up to date with all our activities in Ukraine.
Meetings, Meetings and More Meetings
Upon arrival in Kyiv, we successfully resolved numerous legal, technical, and administrative issues with our legal team.
Our new Ukrainian Director is collaborating closely with us to restructure our teams and maximize the efficiency of existing projects.
With this strong partnership, we are also launching new programs to expand our capabilities in Ukraine. These efforts will enhance our impact and enable us to better serve the communities in need.
Faith House Almost Complete!
The second leg of the trip was a quick commuter hop to Ivano Frankivsk, where many of our projects and properties are located. Shawn conducted an in-person assessment of the construction progress at Faith House, our Family Home for adoptive families.
We are within a month or two of completing Faith House and are currently seeking adoptive parents for this home, which will accommodate 10-12 orphaned children.
Camp Willow Park
We've been praying about the future development of Camp Willow Park to maximixe potential for this youth camp. Currently, we can host around 75 people in the main house. In the summer, an additional 50 campers can camp old-school tent style around the property.
But our desire is to host youth camps for traumatized kids year-round, so massive cabin/dormitory expansion and Fire Marshal upgrades are critical.
Many Ukrainians are already asking to bring their children to the camp, including those from the refugee populations and the war zone. Consider an investment in the development of our youth camp facilities. These programs are essential to assessing and meeting the needs of these hurting children.
New Churches Launched In Ukraine
Mission 823 frequently works with church partners in the States and through church partners locally in Ukraine.
Churches in Ukraine are highly effective at serving their local communities, having close-knit connections in neighborhoods and villages and feeling a sense of compelling mission to serve in this way.
This is the reason that the creation of new churches and support for local churches is critical to sustainable operations and ministry in Ukraine.
Working with local unions and fellowships, we were able to facilitate the launch funding of two brand new churches in the Carpathians during this most recent trip.
We are so excited to help these churches grow and serve their local communities.
Water Filters Delivered To The War Zone
Working with the Ukrainian Marine Corps Chaplain Corp, Pastor Vasily Povoroznuik, Compass Ministries in Zhytomyr, HIS Capital Group, and Sawyer Products here in the States, we were able to purchase and deliver water filters to families with children inside the war zone who have no access to clean water.
Each one of these 157 gravity fed, bucket mounted filters will provide around 167 gallons of clean water every day. Over the course of one year, one unit will provide 9 million gallons of clean water to these desperate families. Our goal is to supply 10,000 units in the near future and we need sponsors to help us purchase, ship and deliver these filters. Please contact us if you are interested in helping with this.
Another TV Interview
After giving the interview with WFTV channel 9 (link to video is above), Shawn was also asked to give an interview to another local TV station, FOX35 News.
This news report highlighted the work we are doing in Ukraine, in addition to the ongoing threat of war. Here is the link if you would like to see this short video about our ministry: Fox35 News Story
Advancing Our Mission: Productive Progress and Growing Ministry Opportunities in Ukraine
This recent trip to Ukraine was one of the most productive trips for Mission 823 since the start of the war and the restrictions of COVID began. We are strengthening existing programs, recruiting new staff, launching great new projects, developing new contacts, and casting vision for growing ministry in Ukraine.
Join us by simply asking, "How can I help?" We have far too much to do alone and not nearly enough hands to do this great work, here or in Ukraine.
Pray, give and go with us because we are rolling forward in Ukraine and need your voice, your time and resources to catapult us rapidly toward the growing crises with real solutions.
We appreciate all of you who have partnered with us already in this great mission! Thank you all so much for your love, support and many prayers for us, especially over these last couple of weeks.
Please visit Facebook and Instagram pages and You Tube Channel and share them widely. We need a lot more voices and ambassadors actively participating so that we can have the greatest impact for the people of Ukraine.
Thank you and God Bless You!
Shawn and Amy Sullivan
CONTACT INFO:
Shawn - [email protected] - ph: 817-313-3656
Amy - [email protected] - ph: 817-773-4758
Office - [email protected] - ph: 352-432-8587
Website: www.mission823.com
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