I just wanted to take a minute to share a video I watched last night with a speaking club for English learners , a PSA that ran in the UK around Christmas time. Maybe it ran in the USA too, but I wouldn’t know, I haven’t been around watching any commercials.
I think this is a powerful video, that reminds us that there are those among us, who feel half the world away and what a difference can be made when we reach out to show someone they are cared about. James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” As Christians our heart is to help those who are in need. God’s Hidden Treasure’s ministry has always been focused on helping to forgotten in Ukraine.
This video was made to bring awareness that millions of elderly people haven’t spoken to a friend, neighbour or family member in over a month. The follow up video to that first PSA really struck my heart.
In Ukraine, this is a serious problem for the elderly, as well as the disabled. Imagine you’re in a wheelchair on the 8th floor an apartment building and your elevator is broken, they’ll have it fixed in month… you hope. Even worse, maybe your wheelchair doesn’t fit on the elevator, or even if it did you still find a flight of stairs waiting for you at the bottom to reach the street. This describes nearly every apartment building in Ukraine.
The video hit me because I know in winter time it is even worse for the elderly and disabled. The streets and sidewalks are frozen over in ice, it takes me 10 minutes to walk a few hundred yards, hobbling like a penguin trying not to slip. I think of all the people who are not able to get out of their apartment. I think of the people who live alone with no one to help.
That is why I believe our caregiver ministry here with God’s Hidden Treasures is so important. On staff we have Luba, who goes to homes of the elderly and disabled every week just to visit, pray and encourage. There have been many suicides prevented because she was able to reach someone who was lonely and desperate. We have Tonya and the prayer team who visit people all over the city, praying for healing and that people would know the love of Christ. We have Dr. Tamara and Nurse Olya, who visit stroke patients daily helping bring healing through rehabilitation. Many of our other staff, Marina, Olya, Lilya, Valentina, Tanya and Ira take time to visit the orphanages with me, make home visits, calls to shut-ins and calls to congratulate people on their birthday and much more.
I know I’m blessed to have so many of you supporting me in prayer, please keep all of our staff in your prayers too as we seek to show people in Ukraine, they are loved by us, but more importantly by Christ who made them, and gave his life for them. Also, there are many opportunities through your church and your community to reach out to those isolated and lonely. Get involved! 🙂
(Some of our staff at the office)
God bless,
Scott