The Forgotten War In Ukraine
You probably have not heard anything about the current war in Ukraine for several weeks or more, and that is not your fault. The attention span of the news media is very short.
While people are still suffering tremendously because of the ongoing attacks from Russia, the media has packed up and moved on to other things. The truth is that vicious attacks on helpless civilians, women, and children in residential neighborhoods like yours and mine are occurring every single day.
Incoming Russian missiles, rockets, airstrikes, and artillery are mercilessly wounding and killing innocent people in Ukraine as you are reading this newsletter.
Please pray for and support the precious people of Ukraine and help us bring healing and restoration to this incredible nation.
Some highlights of our recent trip to Ukraine are below.
Reflections from Ukraine: Serving Amidst Challenges and Hope
Shawn just returned from Ukraine with some of our Mission 823 Board members after spending two weeks serving alongside our team on the ground in Ukraine.
From the very beginning, this trip was riddled with many extra challenges, delays, and major inconveniences.
The time spent in Ukraine was exhausting and traumatic, but overall this trip was very productive, and we were able to minister to many people and communities.
Our minds will never forget the war zone images that contrast so severely with the peaceful and beautiful landscape that we have grown to love over the last 22 years. The people of Ukraine are hurting, they are suffering, they are determined to win their freedom and are living in fear of brutal attacks as air raid sirens blare loudly every single day.
Journey of Hope: Rescues, Challenges, and Partnerships in Ukraine
As our team was entering Krakow on the way to Ukraine, Grandma Olga was being rescued and delivered safely by our Ukrainian team to our base in the west.
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Humanitarian Journey through Ukraine: Resilience and Relief Efforts
With our cargo trucks and vans loaded, we headed south east to Bila Tserkva to exchange hygiene supplies for food stores and pick up much needed humanitarian supplies for our mission.
Then we headed north to assess the war damage left behind by the retreating Russians and were able to meet with local Pastors serving in the war torn regions of Chernigiv.
Alla (pictured above with our M823 team standing in front of what is left of her home) is a humble and hospitable angel whose home was completely destroyed by rockets. Even so, she excitedly prepared tea, coffee and homemade cabbage rolls for us and smiled in gratitude as we delivered much needed building materials for her and her family.
Delivering Hope: From Orphanages to Front Lines in Ukraine
Our next stop was to deliver several tons of food to our dear friends at the Komarivka orphanage in northern Ukraine. This is the first orphanage that we worked with on several projects while we were living in Ukraine and they will always hold a special place in our hearts.
We have been working with these amazing people and beautiful children, on and off, for almost 20 years.
The following day, our team moved into Kyiv where we met with local non-profit leaders and also with military journalists and delivered essential first aid and trauma kits to those suffering near the front lines.
We have been able to build tremendous relationships with front line workers, military and civilian, who are caring for those under daily assault.
Ukraine: Facing Devastation, Transition, and New Leadership
We then pointed our trucks back northwest again to Bucha and Irpin for administrative business and saw the destruction left behind by the Russian troops who committed horrible atrocities in northern Ukraine as they attempted the failed assault on Kyiv.
Mass executions, rape and torture by the thousands are the reality nightmare faced by the residents of formerly occupied territories of Ukraine.
While there, we filed some legal paperwork with our lawyers and officially welcomed our new Mission 823 Ukraine Director, Taras Savchuk!
Taras has worked with us for many years and has been an incredible asset to our organization - now he will be directing all of our ministry in Ukraine which in addition to our youth camps, family homes, work with at-risk kids and helping to start new churches, will include continued care and humanitarian, medical and other aid to the millions of refugees throughout the country.
We are honored to have him and his family on our team in this new capacity!
We would like to publicly thank Irina Musiyenko for her willingness to be our temporary Ukraine Director while we were searching for the right person to take this position permanently. She was such a blessing to us and we will always be so thankful to her for her graciousness to serve in that way. Thank you so much, Irina!
Supporting Ukraine: Deliveries, Art, and Community Resilience
A quick visit to Narodychi to deliver food supplies was well organized by local residents and allowed for us to plan for a return visit with more building materials for multiple homes that were flattened by missile strikes.
We then headed south to Zhytomyr to meet with Max, our ultra-talented quadriplegic artist friend who paints with his mouth. This artwork was a gift from Max. It's a child's view of the war, and will be auctioned off to benefit the people of Ukraine.
A Sunday in Zhytomyr: Air Raid Sirens, Worship, and Deliveries
Our second Sunday in Zhytomyr began abruptly at 4 AM with the sound of air raid sirens.
We spent the morning worshipping with Vasiliy Povoroznuik, a brave military chaplain and Pastor of Compass Church, who has become an incredible partner in serving Ukraine's defenders and the families of fallen soldiers.
His dedication and compassion have been a source of strength and inspiration to us.
That afternoon, we returned to our western base, where we met with our partners at the Children's Center in Kolomyya. We picked up a vital shipment of water filters, ballistic vests, and Individual First Aid Kits (IFAKs). Additionally, we met Pastor Elijah Morar, who delivered new generators from Romania, ensuring we have the necessary resources to continue our mission.
Continuing the Mission: Ongoing Support and Future Plans for Ukraine
This trip was eye-opening, fast paced and not near long enough to accomplish all that needs to be done. The Mission 823 team is continuing the work tirelessly and Shawn is planning to return with more supplies and trainings in the fall. We hope to take small volunteer teams over with us soon!
Please continue to pray for and support Ukraine and the work of Mission 823. The war is hot and real and raw and millions of Ukrainians displaced by the conflict are seeking shelter wherever they can find it. Your financial support for Mission 823 allows us to continue transporting and sheltering refugees, providing humanitarian assistance, and rebuilding the lives and homes that have been broken by bombs.
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 - shawn@mission823.com - ph: 817-313-3656
Amy - amy@mission823.com - ph: 817-773-4758
Office - office@mission823.com - ph: 352-432-8587
Website: www.mission823.com
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