We know that with the hurricane destruction in the western Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia, wildfires out of control in California, and the recent winter weather conditions in Florida, there is no shortage of calls upon the resources of the American Church for humanitarian assistance, which is why we're hesitant to add another great need to that litany. However, we feel it our job to bring the needs of our brothers and sisters in Transnistria who are freezing in their homes since Russia shut off the gas upon which they rely for heat as winter embraces the region.

Barb and I have, from our meager resources, supplying oil/electric heaters to congregants through one of our partner churches in the area, House of Prayer. We sent nine such units last week, but they are in desperate need of at least 30 more to provide heat to others of the congregation who are completely without it. We have also provided cash with which those in remote areas can buy wood to heat and cook with.

 

The attachment below, an appeal from the church, is a bit outdated with the dollar amount required standing at closer to $3000, and the number of families at 30, rather than 24. Pastor Gugurov is a dear brother, faithfully planting the Word in hard ground for many years. He and his wife have fostered many children and one of his daughter's was Barb's students when she taught at UDG.

House of Prayer, Bender, Transnistria

The one distinction we will draw between those disasters in the U.S. and that in Transnistria is that help is available to those suffering in the States (however poorly it's been managed), while our family in Christ has no such hope from the government or relief organizations here. The Church has only the Church to rely on.

With that in mind, we are writing to ask that readers will make this appeal known to their churches in hopes that perhaps a special collection can be taken up to help Minjin be of service to our fellow believers. Donations can, of course, be made - tax free - through the donation link on this page, with the assurance that 100% of the proceeds will go directly toward meeting this immediate need.

With our love and thanks for your prayerful consideration of this request,