Heroes, orphans, Widows and the Grace of God
"We are not soldiers, politicians or celebrities. We are children who have lost our families. We are wives and mothers who have lost our men. We are families who have been driven from our homes, never to return. We are first responders saving lives and burying our dead. We have been attacked mercilessly and live under terror daily. And we will not be broken. We will be free by the grace of God. And we believe."
These are the true heroes of Ukraine, the innocent, the unbroken.
True Resilience
We have never really understood what the word "resilient" meant until the invasion started in Ukraine. We've come to discover that it is much deeper than just surviving. Resilience has much more to do with an unbroken spirit, a heart that still hopes, a mind that still dreams and a will that rebels against injustice and oppression. True resilience comes from God our Father who made us His family, secured our eternity and gives us hope for today and always. He created us for Life!
We're finding, with regular frequency, that this is the overwhelming beauty of the Ukrainian people. We are seeing goodness under fire, life under terror and the best of humanity under the worst attacks imaginable. God, protect and bless the people of Ukraine and their children and in Your wisdom, bring peace. We believe in You and trust You completely.
Camp Willow Park - A Ministry Base for Mission 823
Camp Willow Park
Shawn just returned from Ukraine a few days ago - he started his trip at Camp Willow Park, Mission 823's youth camp for traumatized children and kids with PTSD. Our next phase of upgrades is almost complete and will include new piers in the lake, roof repairs, a new stairway entry to the cafeteria, handrails for the staircases and balconies, insulation and stucco for the rear of the facility and a new upgraded generator.
We are looking forward to the summer camp schedule with 11 back-to-back Ukrainian groups, children from war-torn regions of Ukraine, orphans, refugees, widows and 3 American support teams. Specialized trauma, medical and humanitarian teams have accompanied us and our Ukrainian partners from the very start of the invasion. These will be the first foreign volunteers that have returned to support our camps in over 3 years!
Lake Turka at Camp Willow Park in Ukraine
Our new island will soon have a gazebo and a bridge!
Willow trees at Camp Willow Park, named after Willow Park Baptist Church, TX
Losing their Childhood
The children of Ukraine are living in a very cruel and violent adult world, forcing them to "grow up" before their time. Children that don't have the opportunity to have a childhood have their development interrupted, shaken, and traumatized. The reason why we conduct these camps is to give these kids a safe haven, a respite from terror and a slice of their childhood back. Kids must be kids and this is the kid-friendly environment that we try to create while introducing them to a Father that will never leave them.
The National Hero Patron Warns Children Not To Touch Explosives
Firefighters, Medical Teams and Churches
After spending a couple days at the Camp, Shawn and our Ukrainian Director of Mission 823, Taras, made their way out to the east, stopping to pick up our partner and videographer, Vova, in Kyiv. This would turn out to be a 2000+ Km round trip to deliver much needed firefighting gear, medical supplies and visit with our church partners in Kharkiv.
Firefighters in Ukraine are stretched and stressed to their absolute limit. Domestic firefighting is challenging enough, but when an arsonist uses artillery, drones, rockets and missiles to destroy and start fires, and then waits 30 minutes and attacks first responders, it is humanly impossible to keep up. Mission 823 and our partners have made it a point to play a small role in delivering and replacing vital equipment for these heroes.
Clermont, FL Fire Dept. Bunker Suits
Structural Firefighting Boots
Ukrainian Firefighter in action
Firetrucks on the way!
Shawn and Kharkiv Firefighter Trading Morale Patches
Huge shout out to Advent Health Global Mission for their donations of essential trauma related medical supplies. Four large tactical bags full of life-saving materials were delivered to front line clinics where doctors and nurses are treating civilians suffering from explosive, concussive blast, shrapnel, burns and crushing injuries. These wounds are sustained from the enemy's intentional bombing of residential neighborhoods, churches, schools and hospitals. We need a lot more of these supplies. Another shout of gratitude to Delta Airlines agents who waived all baggage fees when they found out what this load was and where it was going.
Delivering Medical Supplies to Front Line Clinics
Pastor Metlov and his team are doing an amazing job ministering to and serving the people of Saltivka region in Kharkiv city. Worship services are attended by over 100 residents and weekly outreaches include Bible studies, Trauma Groups and Humanitarian assistance. The courage, endurance and tenacity of these precious people is astounding. Multiple air raid threats with accompanying sirens occur daily, including while Shawn was preaching on that Sunday morning. These warriors steadily hold the line in the spiritual war which has broken through into the tangible world. Their spirit and resolve are absolutely unmatched.
Shawn and Taras at the church in Kharkiv
Apartment Building 200 Yards from the Church Entrance
Pastor Metlov Delivers Handmade Quilts from Florida
Trauma Therapy Sessions
Sports Club Outreach
Feeding Center
Our partners in front line cities like Kharkiv and Nikopol brave daily attacks and face dangers from land mines, booby traps and IED's regularly. Imagine walking with your children and describing unexploded ordinance, trip wires and mines that look like toys. This is the daily life of our friends in Nikopol who feed hundreds of needy children and families weekly. Your support helps to provide meals when it is dangerous to go shopping and supply chains are limited by war. Thank you for your ongoing and faithful support.
Thank you from the team in Nikopol: Click here!
Bakery on Wheels in Nikopol
Bakery on Wheels
Weekly Feeding Program in Nikopol
Weekly Feeding Program
Clean Water Needed
Water shortages and contamination continue to be a problem in many front-line cities, towns and villages. Access to clean water is sometimes difficult and dangerous in a war zone. Thanks to you and our partners at Sawyer Products/Water Filters, Mission 823 has distributed over 50,000 filters of different types equaling more than 9 Billion gallons of clean water access to those in need in Ukraine. Sawyer has a new product that increases capacity and attaches directly to faucets. In an area where water contamination is a problem, this is a game changer. Sawyer just donated 1000 of these filters to Mission 823 and they will be shipped as soon as possible for delivery to Ukraine. If you would like help us offset the cost of the shipping, let us know. The total cost for shipping will exceed $3000 and we want to get these to the front ASAP.
Sending 1000 of these
Ready to be shipped
Sawyer Faucet Filter Tap Water Filtration System
Thank You!
Thank you to all of you, our faithful and equal partners in this great work. You are saving lives, giving hope and restoring a generation of children and families in Ukraine. This is what Jesus meant when He told the story of the Good Samaritan in response to the question, "And who is my neighbor?". Good people, serving others sacrificially, making things right. Thank you!
From our friends at Liberty Baptist Church in Clermont, FL
Prayer and Praise:
- Pray for laborers to help us in this work. We are actively searching for missionaries to help us expand and strengthen our efforts for the children and families of Ukraine. Feel a call from God to serve? Know someone who does? Send them our way and let's have a conversation. It is time for bold faith and courage. Mission 823 can serve as your mission organization, provide training and support and put you to work right away!
- Faith House family home is being retooled as a Small Group Home for orphans eligible for adoption. Legal, organizational and licensing work is underway along with upgrades to the home in preparation for the arrival of children. Pray for the process to be expedited and thank God to the business leader who committed to fully sponsor the initial project. If you would like to learn more about this exciting new project or would like to sponsor the home on a monthly basis, contact us below.
- Camp Willow Park is continuously being improved and expanded, but we are out of room. Mission 823 owns a large parcel of land directly across the street from the camp and we are dreaming of constructing dormitories and meeting rooms on this property. Seeking investors and sponsors for this new project.
Please visit our Facebook and Instagram pages and our YouTube 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
