See the latest news, updates, and prayer requests from our brothers and sisters at Lifesong Ukraine.

UPDATE: MARCH 8, 2022, 6 PM CST—

PRAISE GOD, THE LIFESONG UKRAINE TEAM REMAINS SAFE.

Even while Chernigov and Kharkiv lie in ruins—two cities that are home and mission fields for many of our Lifesong staff members—the team is voluntarily risking their lives to continue meeting needs in and around hot zones.

Their main focus involves making the dangerous drive back and forth across Ukraine—evacuating civilians west and taking critical resources back east.

Each day, our team is evacuating over 100 people from combat zones to more secure locations in the west.

And each day, our team is delivering water, food, toiletries, medicine, basic clothing, and fuel to more than 1,000 people across four different locations in the east.

Words can’t express the admiration we have for our courageous Lifesong staff and church volunteers on the front lines identifying needs and carrying out this distribution. 

We are ministering to people’s physical needs first and also working with their souls by pointing them to Jesus as our Savior. -- DENIS Director of Lifesong Ukraine

The U.N. reports that Poland has already taken in 1.2 million refugees—a number that is only expected to grow. To meet the needs of displaced Ukrainians, we are actively setting up a refugee care facility with our trusted partners in Poland.

And even in the midst of this chaos, God is showing tiny glimmers of joy and grace. Today, on International Women’s Day, the women on our team received a bucket of tulips.

Please pray for Ukraine and specifically:

• For the continued safety and courage of our drivers and front line staff and volunteers.
• That operations in Poland would fall into place and that thousands of displaced Ukrainians would be reached.
• For the Gospel to be shown visibly through the actions and words of our teams on the ground.
• For wisdom, protection, and peace!
• That God would be glorified and made known through this crisis, and bring it to a peaceful resolution.

Denis shares, “Thank you for your tremendous support, love, and care in times like this! Stand in this fight with us, for humanity and for God’s plan to be unpacked.” 

A few photos recently shared by our team:

UPDATE: MARCH 3, 2022, 3 PM CST—

OPENING THE DOORS WIDER

Denis, Director of Lifesong Ukraine, was able to hop on another call with our team and share some encouraging updates and ministry plans. Listen along:

First and foremost, we’re thankful to report all the children and families we serve, as well as our staff, are currently safe.

While orphaned and vulnerable children remain at the forefront of our ministry, most of our traditional ministry avenues aren’t options in the current conditions. To continue bringing Gospel-centered care to the most vulnerable in Ukraine, the ministry is pivoting and refocusing on three main areas:

First, securing ministry sites and locations so they’re adequately protected and supplied. Every day, two metric tons of food and medical supplies are being distributed from our food banks among ministry locations, combat zones, and anyone in need.

Second, delivering relief resources to those who remain in combat areas, like Chernigov and Kharkiv. There are some from the ministry who have chosen not to evacuate so they can continue serving people in cities by delivering food and resources.

And third, evacuating as many as possible from combat zones to western Ukraine and across the border. Our team is blessed to have previously established relationships with churches and contacts in Poland. As millions of Ukrainians pour into Poland, it’s our desire to link arms with our Polish brothers and sisters to bring relief to those who have been displaced.

Please pray for Ukraine and specifically:

• For those who remain in cities to stay safe and meet needs whenever possible.
• For our team to wisely and effectively distribute the resources they’ve been blessed with.
• That our team would have clarity and wisdom as they plan how to best care for refugees and the displaced.
• For children around Ukraine who don’t have a loving adult in their life to help them through this crisis.
• That God would be glorified and made known through this crisis, and bring it to a peaceful resolution.

Keep us in your prayers. We know it’s not our fight. It’s God’s fight.
Denis Poshelok, Director of Lifesong Ukraine

A few photos recently shared by our team:

GIVE TODAY

Thanks to TMG Foundation and key partners, all of our fundraising and administrative costs are covered. 100% of your gift will directly support vulnerable children and families in Ukraine.

UPDATE: MARCH 3, 2022, 9:30 AM PST—

Many of you may have heard of the bombing in Chernihiv and have worried about Bogdan and his family. Bogdan moved his family west to Lviv (as well as many, many orphans). He is currently in Rivne delivering 1100 lbs of flour to a Christian baker who will bake bread to feed many people. Bogdan is very sad about the bombing of Chernihiv (his hometown) and the death it has caused. 

UPDATE: MARCH 2, 2022, 2 PM CST—

Now is the time to be good Samaritan! And we are all united to serve others!
--Bogdan, Lifesong Ukraine Team Leader

Where there are many needs, there are many opportunities to serve. The Lifesong Ukraine team is uniquely equipped to serve the vulnerable and hurting—it’s what they’ve been doing (and doing well!) for the last 20 years.

As the conflict continues, here’s how the team is meeting needs—

Evacuation. Our team is working to move more people in Kharkiv and Chernigov to safer locations in western Ukraine.

Shelter. While most have traveled west, a few team members have chosen to stay in Kharkiv to continue serving those who can’t evacuate the city. They’re offering displaced people secure shelter along with food and other resources.

Refugees. Our team is actively planning how we can set up operations across the border, starting with moving some staff into one of Ukraine’s neighboring countries.

(At the time of writing, over 650,000 individuals are displaced, and that number is expected to increase exponentially.)

No one is more vulnerable than a child without a safe and stable family. Beyond helping orphaned children, our goal is to preserve families and prevent more children from becoming orphaned. Lord willing, providing resources and shelter to the displaced will keep many families together.

Please pray for Ukraine and specifically:

• For those who remain in cities to stay safe and meet needs whenever possible.
• For children in State-run orphanages to be cared for and to feel God’s peace.
• That our team would have clarity and wisdom as they plan how to best care for refugees and the displaced.
• For a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
• That God would be glorified and made known through these events.

A few photos recently shared by our team:

GIVE TODAY

Thanks to TMG Foundation and key partners, all of our fundraising and administrative costs are covered. 100% of your gift will directly support vulnerable children and families in Ukraine.

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 28, 2022, 10 AM CST—

GOD HEARS, GOD CARES, GOD ACTS.

While there are still many needs to bring before God (see below for current prayer requests), we can already see the evidence of your faithful prayer. This morning, Denis Poshelok—director of Lifesong Ukraine—shared an update. Watch his message:

Praise God—all Lifesong staff and all of the children we serve are safe. There are bomb shelters and basements organized at each Lifesong ministry site, complete with food and backup fuel to last up to one month.

Our team, their families, children from the transition program, and any others who were able took shelter in secure locations between two cities: Chernigiv and Kharkiv. But as the conflict raged on and moved closer by the day, our leaders realized the best course of action was to evacuate to a safer location in western Ukraine.

Yesterday, between two caravans, a large group made the nearly 30-hour drive and all arrived safely in their new shelter until further plans are made. We are preparing further evacuation strategies for everyone who is in direct danger or feels uncomfortable staying.

While supply chains are broken, God is using our connections via Lifesong Farms to help us get food and supplies. The team purchased enough food to provide food drops to over 100 crisis families, adoptive families, and orphanage graduates! They were beyond thankful to God for this provision.

Praise God for helping our team access vital resources and for the existing relationships He is using.

At the end of the day, this entire crisis has created a huge wave of need. Lifesong should lead the movement of serving both the displaced and those who will remain in the country during and after the crisis.
Denis Poshelok, Director of Lifesong Ukraine

Please pray for the following needs:

• For swift and safe evacuation from high-conflict areas.
• That our team can provide shelter and food to those who are suffering around them.
• For strategic planning of our God-given resources and supplies so we can be prepared to serve many more.
• For the 400,000+ displaced and refugees. Pray that our team could learn how to best serve them.

A few photos recently shared by our team: