Resist him (the devil), firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” I Peter 5:9,10.
It has been so sad to follow the events of the war in the Ukraine and the recent tragedy in Turkey and Syria. In this broken world, there are many people enduring suffering, as well as those who suffer for Christ. Yet we know that God is at work and that He cares about all the people who experience hardships.
In the Ukraine, interest in God, in Jesus, and in the Bible has been increasing as people suffer through the horrors of war. Cru has many national and regional staff in the country (none from the U.S.) who are continuing to reach people with the Gospel and to help with their physical and emotional needs. Staff are talking with students about the war and God’s purposes and love through all these difficult times.
Our staff members report that air raid sirens are like a daily call. When they occur, teachers simply move their classes down into an air raid shelter or subway and continue to teach. Some staff partner with a teachers network to encourage teachers and train them to share Christ’s love and salvation with their students.
Students are coming to know Christ and are growing in their faith as they trust God through the struggles of this war. There is even potential for a new class of Ukrainian staff recruits this spring!
Pray with us for the people of Ukraine and the growth of the student movement, teacher movement, and the relief efforts.
The suffering experienced in Turkey and Syria as a result of one of the largest and most destructive earthquakes ever has been horrific. But we are thankful that Cru’s humanitarian arm, Unto, is already on site with water, blankets, food and more that is needed by those who survived. Pray for the people who have been brought into this time of suffering that they may find the Lord and his love and grace for them. Please pray for the physical needs of the survivors to be met by our Unto staff and partners and many other aid groups working together to meet this terrible need. Rochelle serves all the new applicants from the US who are wanting to work with Unto in order to bring physical help and the Gospel to those in need around the world. If you would like to donate to the relief effort, please see www.unto.com .
We are always so grateful for you, our partners, that you are praying and giving as the Lord leads you for all of his work. Thanks for making a difference in the fulfillment of the Great Commission!