A line of tanks stretching 40 kilometers is surrounding Kyiv today. That has propelled our Y workers into more action. A fleet of vans and 20 drivers, risking their lives has been leaving the city full of fearful people, taking them to safety. Their most recent mission was ferrying 300 children to safety.
Receiving these people at the borders are our Y staff and students who have prepared their centers to house them. One of the German centers just took in 41 women and children.
The response has been wonderful at all the borders. The reports say that already 700.000 have crossed and there is a possibility of 3 to 4 million more that follow.
We are so thankful for the response of funds coming in from generous people around the world. That has given our Y family the ability to transport, feed and house thousands. In one besieged city there was a group of 30 Babushkas (grandmas) huddled in a basement. Some of the funds coming in were used to buy groceries for them and many more like them.
The mayor of the city of Ternopil called our Y center to report that 6000 refugees were coming in on the next trains, could they help? The funds are helping to buy food and help the Y staff to distribute these people through churches and homes around the city. As well as to take food to the besieged city of Kyiv. To get fuel, they have to take large containers to fill and use for the vehicles that are transporting people.
As Ukraine continues to be attacked, the situation in Russia is worsening. Over the years our American and western missionaries have been weaned out of the country with economic and anti-terrorist laws that were gradually enacted to close down any western influence. Most western missionaries were eventually forced out. Yesterday, the last Americans were told to leave Russia and the few western Y family we still had have left. They are currently in Central Asia waiting to go back to the U.S. Churches and groups in Russia have been sent questionnaires asking if they have any contact with western nations. Our Y family has no access to funds or help of any kind from outside. There is a lot of hurt and fear about the future and we need to pray for them.
- These next hours will be crucial as Kyiv is being laid to siege. Pray for our Y family there. Many are in subways and basements. Some remain at our center to take in people losing their homes.
- Pray for the drivers, bravely risking their lives to take people to safety.
- Pray for the thousands and thousands standing in lines at the borders. It is cold and they are mostly women and children suffering greatly.
Our Y family has built a great web of people throughout the country through the many churches they have been working with. As a result, they are in a good place to help them, with food and shelter.
Thank you for your prayers and giving.
Al Akimoff and the Slavic Ministries Team