Dear SCCEFC (South Calgary Chinese Evangelical Free Church) and Friends,
As you have heard on the news, the situation in Ukraine has gotten worst with the invasion by Russia. Our church has deep connections with the Ukrainians as we have maintained a long-term relationship with our friends in House Of Mercy in the western city of Uzhhorod. But did you know our church also supports two other missionaries/projects in Ukraine? In total, we have three mission fields that are in need of your prayers today!
The House of Mercy, Uzhhorod. A Children & Orphanage Center, that we visit and partner with since 2007.
Mission Worker: Andriana (Андріана Жануаріу). Andriana is a frontline worker with the Roma people in the Uzhhorod region. She recently had a tumour removed from her brain and has just returned home for recovery. Her husband is holding up the ministry while she is recovering. They also have a newborn baby. Please continue to pray for her and the Roma people she serves.
John and Leanne Paetkau: They are current in Cochrane on home furlough, but their mission field is in Sumy. Here are their latest prayer requests as of yesterday:
Please pray for the SEND team in Ukraine today. The team has relocated to the western part of Ukraine from Kyiv, and they need continued wisdom on what the next step might be.
Please pray for our friends in Sumy (who are located right up on the northern border only miles from Russia). Pray for Pastor Misha and the leadership of Sumy Grace Church as they minister both to their families and the congregation. Pray that they would have peace as they go about their daily lives with the looming shadow of conflict hanging over them.
We want to rally our church to pray for these partners on the mission field as well as the country as a whole. We love them very much and it is heartbreaking to see what others are doing to their beloved country.
Let's lift our prayers to God for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine.
In prayers,
Pastoral Staff and the Mission Committee
What we can pray for:
For more peacemakers / Matt. 5:9
Strength for the God's people in Ukraine / Psalm 27:1-3
Justice and Righteousness / Prov. 21:15
Wisdom for government and leaders / 1 Tim. 2:1-2, Eph. 6:12
Help from God for the people / Psalm 121
Hope for justice and peace from God / Isaiah 2:4
Ukraine Crisis Support
To financially support the crisis in Ukraine, SCCEFC recommends two avenues to help:
1. SCCEFC has the “House of Mercy” fund that you can designate your offering to (a tax receipt will be provided). The funds will support HoM and its efforts to help the growing number of refugees entering their region.
NOTES: If you do not wish to receive a tax receipt, you can use the following security question and answer for the e-transfer:
Security Question: The M in HOM
Answer: Mercy
2. Donate to the Red Cross. The government of Canada is matching (up to $10M).