Ukraine Crisis Update

Thank you for PRAYING for and GIVING to the Ukraine Crisis so that North Carolina Baptists can serve those in need. Many have already gone and many are planning to go. Below are current opportunities for you to GO. There will be many additional opportunities to be on mission in Ukraine as soon as the war ends. Please pray for the war to end and pray for God to be glorified among the people of Ukraine. For more information go to https://baptistsonmission.org/ukraine-crisis

Poland

Poland weeks are beginning to take shape and we are now ready to recruit for the following weeks: (We will work out all travel logistics, including flights, travel in country, lodging, meals and insurance)

• June 12(13) - 20: Team will build a playground at a church in Zelow and then work with children the days after building the playground (Cost of playground is $2,700 US and is needed for this project to take place) 6-7 people are needed and will work best if a church group.
• July 3(4) - 11: Team will travel to Zielona Gora and provide a daycamp for refugee and non-refugee children. Camp supplies will be needed for this to take place. About 50 children are expected each day. 6-7 people are needed.
• July 10(11) - 17: Team will be working in Chelm at the distribution warehouse as well as working at the church in Chelm helping work with refugees in a number of different capacities.
• July 24 (25)- August 1- Team will be providing a youth camp for refugees (English, Sports, music, crafts). Need 4 people. 

Please contact Tom Beam at tbeam@ncbaptist.org when you are ready to sign up.

Moldova

Teams of 8-10 volunteers are serving weekly at a ministry center operated by the Baptist Union of Moldova near the capital, Chisinau. The center, which is a new facility, houses 150-300 refugees per day. Team members may do a variety of tasks, such as meal cleanup, laundry assistance, grounds work, landscaping, unloading and sorting incoming supplies, etc. Teams may also engage the children in organized games and activities, as well as meet and pray with the ladies. Tasks will change daily and team members need to be flexible to do whatever is needed. Our presence as Christian volunteers means a great deal. Simply meeting, sitting with, praying with, and encouraging these refugees will mean a lot. The team stays in one of the houses on campus, which includes 6 bedrooms, 4 baths, a large kitchen, and meeting space. Volunteers will be assigned two to a room. (Couples can of course stay in one room together. Singles will need to double up with a roommate). The center has washers and dryers that team members can use. Meals will be taken at the center dining hall along with the refugees. Sunday will be spent worshiping with a local congregation. Cost of the trip is approximately $2000, give or take, and is dependent on current airfare.

Please contact Mark Abernathy, BOM, (mabernathy@ncbaptist.org; 919-459-5607) if you can serve as an individual, a couple, or have a small team that would like to serve. Current open dates include: June 26-July 4; July 3-11; July 10-18; July 24-August 1. More dates may be scheduled after this as well.

Hungary/Ukraine

Medical Teams of approximately 8-10 people are currently traveling to Budapest, Hungary and driving by van to work with internally displaced people (IDP’s) in Western Ukraine. Each trip is ten days long and covers a Monday - Wednesday or a Thursday to Saturday schedule. The cost of the trip is approximately $2000-$2500 based on airfare. Final pricing is not available until flights are purchased.

In addition to meeting medical needs, each team is encouraged to listen to the stories and offer the hope of Jesus to those who have been traumatized by the war. Team members should plan to minister and pray with the patients and their families as daily medical clinics are hosted each day.

We are seeking qualified physicians, family nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, interpreters (Ukrainian/English), chaplains and drivers to help with this opportunity. If space is available, we will allow others to join the teams to help out in the local warehouse managing supplies going to the shelters.

Some space is available on teams departing in July and August. If you are interested in serving on this project, please complete the online form. You may follow up by email to Teresa Jones, tajones@ncbaptist.org. Teams will be filled based on qualifications for the positions needed.