Winter outreach into the frontlines of ukraine war

Four Objectives Accomplished by Winter Outreach:
​1. Repair roof and insulate attic in refugee shelter in Uzhhorod.
2. Provide Christmas to refugees in shelters and nearby village.
3. Deliver food, supplies and handmade blankets to the frontline of war in Donetsk Region in Russian occupied territory.
4. Raised funds to repair Pastor Joseph's boiler in home where he houses four refugee families.

The Ukraine Winter Outreach began with Christmas celebrations in western Ukraine where we sponsor shelters for housing refugees from the eastern Donetsk, Kharkiv and Mariupol regions (See photos scrolling above). We were able to give a joyous celebration with wonderful gifts for youth and adults…spreading the hope of Christ. The children were shocked and amazed that there were gifts for them this year. Smiles were written across faces along with the sounds of giggles and excitement. The celebration was extended to a gypsy village where 100 children received gifts and ministry. Nearly 100% raised their hands to receive God’s greatest gift to us, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord. It was a glorious time!

After the Christmas celebrations, we loaded two large vans with several thousands of pounds of food and supplies and prepared to drive across Ukraine into the frozen eastern war front. The reason for taking food and supplies into the war-torn regions is because most of the infrastructure is destroyed. Where there are no stores there is no incoming supply. It must be brought in charitably.

A Commander with another soldier from the Ukraine army joined us in order to escort us into the war zone with full body armor and automatic weapons. When we arrived, we found ourselves among mostly destroyed apartment buildings. The Commander instructed us to be quick as he surveyed the area. We honked the van’s horn and people poured out of what we thought to be uninhabitable buildings. We proceeded to quickly give out food and handmade blankets (donated by the Augusta Azalea Club - Linus Project) the to desperate people and then the status quo changed! Explosions erupted from a tank and artillery battle nearby! We were literally in the battlefield as Russian troops were trying to break through a new line the Ukrainian army had set up. As explosions and machine gun fire from tanks were heard, Pastor Joseph preached a short gospel message. Right there about 20 people prayed a prayer of salvation in the midst of the battle! Glory!! I heard them pray with great earnestness! The Commander instructed us to leave the town immediately as the battle was coming our direction. Praise God everyone received food and God gets the glory before evacuating! Afterwords we traveled to Korosten where I was asked to share at a Leadership Conference where pastors from all over Ukraine came together for strength and encouragement. God gave me the right word to build up the leaders that need so much encouragement. Thank you for your support and prayers and we strategize for our next outreaches in Ukraine and beyond in 2023.

- Doug and Angie Pitman