Woman’s Missionary Union and the WMU Foundation are sending two HEART Fund grants to aid Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
Turlac Mission in Moldova will receive a $25,000 grant. Moldova shares 759 miles of border with Ukraine, and more than 25,000 refugees crossed the border in the first week of the conflict, according to Oleg Turlac, head of Turlac Mission, which ministers in Eastern Europe.
The Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary in Lviv, Ukraine, also will receive $25,000 to aid in its efforts to provide food, shelter and counseling to refugees (read story here). Lviv is less than 50 miles from Ukraine’s border with Poland.
The WMU HEART Fund, which stands for Humanitarian Emergency Aid (for) Rebuilding Tomorrow, was created following the Sept. 11 attack to respond to requests from WMU leaders in humanitarian emergencies.
“Who would have thought that a horrific tragedy that impacted our country would inspire the creation of a fund that has helped so many people in crisis for over twenty years? The HEART Fund allows WMU Foundation donors to make an impact in the lives of those who are in dire need, and we are especially grateful for those gifts right now as we seek to help Ukraine,” said David George, president of the WMU Foundation.
Turlac Mission
The Turlac Mission was formed in 2004 to preach the gospel, train church leaders, help women at risk of human trafficking, serve persecuted believers in Eastern Europe and provide relief for refugees, orphans and persons with disabilities.
Founder Oleg Turlac said a side effect of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is that thousands of refugees — children, adults and entire families — have been forced to flee from combat, shelling and bombardment.
“More than 25,000 refugees have crossed the border between Ukraine and Moldova,” he said. “We joined hands with churches and our Moldovan ministry partners on the ground by meeting families with children and providing hot tea, food, heaters, blankets and shelter in the Moldovan capital and several other locations.”
The best way to help the Turlac Mission directly is by giving here.
Baptist Theological Seminary
The Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary is ministering to women and children, orphans, students and others who are fleeing from the conflict zones toward Poland and Romania. The seminary is providing food, blankets and temporary shelter, and administration and professors are serving in the effort.
“During the first four days, 480 people passed through the UBTS,” said David Iannacone of Ukraine Partnership Foundation. “UBTS continues to serve some of the thousands of people who are fleeing to the West and into Lviv. Most are women and children, displaced from their homes by the war and often traveling alone. The shelter, food and care they receive at UBTS gives them strength for the next part of their journey.
“Among the refugees was a 95-year-old Ukrainian woman, accompanied by her 73-year-old daughter. The mother survived the Holodomor famine and World War II and is now leaving her home behind to seek safety with her grandchildren and great grandchildren who are waiting for her abroad. There are many stories like these of people who cannot believe that war has come so suddenly to their country.
“In these heartbreaking times, as the Lord sends people who need comfort and help, the UBTS biblical, missional and accountable values are being tested by fire. Please pray for all the staff and students at UBTS who are serving people and meeting their needs every day. And please continue to pray for a miracle in Ukraine,” Iannacone said.
The best way to help Ukraine Baptist Theological Seminary directly is to give through the Ukraine Partnership Foundation here.
More about HEART Fund
WMU Foundation President David George noted that the HEART Fund is designed to provide emergency, crisis or disaster relief aid and is not a way to designate gifts.
“While we anticipate that we will likely make another grant to support Ukrainian refugees, we cannot guarantee that will happen or how it will specifically be used,” George said. “The WMU Foundation is not raising funds specifically for Ukrainian refugee relief, but you can give to directly help through numerous channels.”
For more information, contact your Baptist state convention or give through Send Relief.
For more information about the HEART Fund and ways to give, go to wmufoundation.com.
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