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Mariupol, a city in southern Ukraine occupied by Russia, has been almost completely destroyed by the war. The consequences of the war are massive, as not only the land has been devastated, but also the most essential means of subsistence. By God's grace, we were able to support the people there. Below is a letter from our brothers who delivered the aid.
Don't say there is no salvation,
that you are exhausted by worries:
The darker the night, the
brighter the stars
The deeper the distress, the closer God is...
AN Maikov
With the financial support of brothers and sisters from Germany (as a precaution, we prefer not to mention names or amounts here), a social service was organized in the city of Mariupol for the people of God and the city's residents. Within two months, our brothers and sisters made 10 trips to Mariupol. During these trips, they brought approximately 10 tons of food, building materials, and other necessary supplies. One trip, using five cars, delivered about one ton of food.
In two of the four prayer houses in Mariupol, meals were organized for people in need. Our brothers and sisters in Mariupol have a total of about 350 members, including approximately 70 children. To organize the meals in the prayer houses, the brothers brought 12 5 kW gasoline generators, 70 gas cylinders, and water tanks. Around 1,000 people were fed daily. Among them were many orphans who came for food. One 14-year-old boy, for example, also fed his mother and neighbors who were unable to come themselves. Some people, after waiting in line for about three hours, returned to the end of the queue to collect more food.
Almost the entire city is without water. Where a central water supply exists, the water must be purified. Devices for disinfecting water with UV light have been installed in places of worship. For a time, food was prepared in one of the four prayer houses for the regional hospital, which housed approximately 700 people, including doctors, staff, and those who had been made homeless. Once the food preparation area at the hospital was repaired, they began preparing meals there. The morgue at this hospital was partially destroyed and the refrigeration units were damaged in the bombing.
The brothers repaired the morgue. For this, they purchased Freon and everything else needed for refrigeration in Russia. All the broken windows in the hospital were covered with foil. Along with hygiene products, the brothers distributed the Gospel to everyone in the hospital. They bought white coats for all the medical staff.
The roofs of many congregation members' private homes were destroyed. As a result, 12 roofs belonging to congregation members (from large families, people with disabilities, and widows) were repaired. The roofs of 10 other houses were partially re-covered. Broken windows were replaced in all the churches, as well as for some congregation members whose homes had broken windows. Many members still need new windows and roofs.
Winter is approaching, yet there is no heating anywhere. There isn't even solid fuel (coal or firewood) to heat homes. Essentially, the city has no electricity, water, or gas. It is urgently necessary to increase the activity of our brothers to provide minimal living conditions for disadvantaged people who have lost so much and have been left without support, often with children in their arms.
Brothers, God bless you!
- V. Nozdrin (Presidential Bishop of Russia)
- V. Belyi (Responsible Bishop from Russia for Mariupol)
- V. Solovej (Bishop in charge of Donbass)
More information about the project and the opportunity to donate:
https://cdh-stephanus.org/ukraine-krieg/