God’s Love for Ukrainian Refugees: A Story of Faith and Ministry
SIM USA global workers Lindsay and Eva served in South America for 12 years. After over a decade of service, God led them to refugee ministry in Romania. Initially, the refugees in Romania mainly came from countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. However, around four months after Lindsay and Eva’s arrival in Romania, the war started in Ukraine.
When Ukraine came under attack in 2022, Ukrainian refugees sought safety in nearby countries. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, more than 175,000 Ukrainians fled to neighboring Romania to escape the conflict.
Seemingly overnight, the Kairos Missions School in Romania became a refugee center for thousands of Ukrainians. There were abundant opportunities to show these displaced people the love of Christ.
“Refugees’ is a new title for them. We worked with a couple who were both retired doctors. But when they came to Romania, they lost everything. Nobody knew them as doctors. They were refugees, so that was their new title. It’s very, very hard for the people,” Eva said. “Seeing them the way Jesus sees them is important.”
Eva led a women’s Bible study for the refugees, sharing God’s love despite language and cultural barriers. Although they did not share a common language, the Ukrainian women understood Eva’s message of love and hope in darkness.
“You have people from different backgrounds, and you don’t speak their language, but there is one language that is always understood by all—that is the love of Jesus flowing through you,” Eva said. “The love of Jesus is understood so clearly and easily.”
“I did not speak Ukrainian or Russian, but they can hug me and when they talk to me, I still understand a lot,” she continued. “Many times, they expressed, over and over again, ‘Thank you for showing us the love of Jesus. Thank you for giving us God’s word.’”
“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 10:18-19
Purpose in Pain: How One Ukrainian Refugee is Serving Others
While serving in Romania, Lindsay and Eva met Maria, a Ukrainian refugee. Maria is a Christian, and she quickly saw many opportunities to share Christ’s love at the refugee center.
“She was a refugee herself but didn’t want to just be there and not do anything. She was looking for ways to help Ukrainians,” Eva said. “She didn’t see herself just as a refugee, but as being called by God for that time to serve.”
Maria spoke many several languages, including English. She realized that she could interpret these languages for Lindsay and Eva’s ministries.
“We were doing a weekly Bible study with women, and Lindsay was sharing the Gospel with groups and one on one. Maria would be the one interpreting. So, we became very good friends, and for the rest of her time in Romania, we worked together,” Eva said. “Now she is back in Ukraine, doing ministry with teenagers and soldiers who are wounded in the hospital.”
Despite the challenges of being a refugee, Maria sought to serve God. Her testimony is a reminder that even in the darkness, God can use His people to be vessels of hope and love for the world.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
Welcoming the Stranger: Refugee Ministry with SIM USA
According to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, around 13 million refugees live in Europe today. Furthermore, their research found that around 6 million Ukrainians are still displaced due to the war.
Europe’s large refugee population provides many opportunities for ministry. As refugees escape conflict in their home countries, Christians can welcome them with open arms, hospitality, and the love of Jesus.
“I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35
Lindsay and Eva are currently following the Lord to Southern Spain, where they will continue ministering to refugees. Please pray for them as God prepares their family for a new home and ministry setting.
“Pray that we would stay close to the Lord and be obedient,” Lindsay said. “We just want to keep our eyes on Him.”
Do you have a heart for refugee ministry? You don’t have to travel far to make an impact! Click here to read about immigrant and refugee ministries right here in the United States!
The opportunity to share Christ’s love is great. Whether in Europe, the United States, or beyond, God leads His people to welcome the stranger and serve those in need. Please keep Lindsay and Eva in your prayers as they step into this new ministry and consider how God might be leading you to engage in refugee ministry—whether near or far.
Click here to learn more about refugee ministry with SIM USA and connect with a missions coach!