Natalia and Diana receiving shoes and other needed supplies from the Church of Christ the Savior Refugee Center.
The Odessa region in Ukraine is home to Natalia and her young daughter, Diana. Natalia works as an English teacher at the school and recently started studying a course at the university in hopes of a job promotion.
When the war began, Natalia was afraid to leave her home because of the shelling. A woman she knew through the school invited Natalia to go with her to Transnistria.
After arriving in Transnistria, Natalia found out her bank card was not valid there or in Moldova, and she had no money for living--she was a hostage of her circumstances. Natalia’s daughter, Diana, also began to experience major stress, loneliness, and nightmares because of the events in Ukraine.
Someone from Church of Christ the Savior in Malaiesti invited Natalia and Diana to come to their center for refugees. Learning of Natalia's need, the center hired her as an English teacher for life skills classes offered through the church. The center also provided a roof over their heads, clothes, and food.
Diana recently had her eighth birthday. She wanted to celebrate at home in Ukraine with her family and friends, but with the ongoing war, she and her mom could not return.
To encourage Diana and make her birthday special, the church arranged a surprise party. Pastor Yuri and others from the church brought a cake and gifts. Diana’s eyes shone brightly with surprise and joy.
Having recently left the refugee center to move further west into Europe, Natalia wrote to the church saying, "I am grateful to the church for helping me and my daughter. God bless you! I am grateful that you opened the new world of Jesus Christ to me. As they say, ‘you planted a small seed,’ and I promise to take care of it."
Church of Christ the Savior has received support from Summit Missions International to provide housing, food and supplies to refugees who are transiting through Transnistria or staying there for a longer duration.
Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Growing Young Faith
Amber Schafer
9/6/2023
Bible Clubs are Making an Impact at New Village Churches
Amber Schafer
8/28/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Fervent in Spirit and Serving the Lord in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
8/28/2023
Showing Teens in Moldova and Transnistria the Path to God
Amber Schafer
8/28/2023
Flooding in Kherson Compounds the Devastation of War
Amber Schafer
8/17/2023
Your Support Allows Us to Nurture Children
Amber Schafer
8/17/2023
Help the Children Agricultural Project: Giving At-Risk Families Food Security
Amber Schafer
8/15/2023
Last Hope
Amber Schafer
8/11/2023
Bring Help and Smiles to Ukrainian Children
Amber Schafer
8/1/2023
Skepticism Erased
Amber Schafer
8/1/2023
Natalia's Story: Attention Drawn to God Through Difficult Circumstances
Amber Schafer
7/25/2023
Greater Sports Camp for the Gospel
Amber Schafer
7/17/2023
Simplicity and Faithfulness
Amber Schafer
7/12/2023
Mila Finds Meaning in Life
Amber Schafer
6/26/2023
Help the Children: My Second Home
Amber Schafer
6/26/2023
Bringing Refugees Back to the Path of Hope
Amber Schafer
6/20/2023
Developing Young Leaders Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
6/15/2023
God Changes Character
Amber Schafer
6/8/2023
Character Development Through Adventure Camp
Amber Schafer
6/1/2023
Why Volunteer?
Amber Schafer
6/1/2023
Ukraine War Update
Amber Schafer
6/1/2023
Karina’s Family Finds Help and Friendship at a Church in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
5/30/2023
Summer Break = Time for Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
5/30/2023
The Russian Invasion: A Catalyst for Drawing People Into a Restored and Redeemed Relationship with
Amber Schafer
5/24/2023
A Different Life Picture is Taking Shape Through the Children of the Street Program
Amber Schafer
5/23/2023
Simple Things Bring About Great Change for Displaced Ukrainians
Amber Schafer
5/16/2023
Not Your Average Dream Come True!
Amber Schafer
5/11/2023
Like the Sun Shining in My Heart
Amber Schafer
5/8/2023
Inside Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer
4/25/2023
Vika Finds Hope Through Church Without Walls
Amber Schafer
3/30/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Strength to Serve
Amber Schafer
3/20/2023
Lida's Story
Amber Schafer
3/15/2023
A Review of Ministry in 2022
Amber Schafer
3/7/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Touching the Hearts of People
Amber Schafer
3/6/2023
The Significant Influence of Mentoring
Amber Schafer
3/2/2023
A Nebraska Grandmother Helps Bring Joy to Ukrainian Refugee Children
Amber Schafer
3/1/2023
Elena Finds Hope in an Unfamiliar Place
Amber Schafer
2/22/2023
God Changes Hearts
Amber Schafer
2/20/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Salt and Light
Amber Schafer
2/16/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Thank you for your continued remembrance and support
Amber Schafer
2/9/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: We Sincerely Thank You for the Opportunity to Serve
Amber Schafer
2/2/2023
The Joy of Seeing
Amber Schafer
1/31/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Precious Contributions
Amber Schafer
1/17/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: God is touching many lives through your help!
Amber Schafer
1/5/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Darker it is, the Greater the Need for Light.
Amber Schafer
1/4/2023
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: When We Care for God's Kingdom, He Cares for Us
Amber Schafer
12/19/2022
Jesus Was a Refugee Too
Amber Schafer
12/19/2022
Loving and Helping Ukrainian Refugees this Christmas
Amber Schafer
12/15/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: The Lord is Working Miracles
Amber Schafer
12/14/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: You Helped Us Expand Our Boundaries
Amber Schafer
12/13/2022
Snapshot From The Church Network In Ukraine: Maintaining Relationships
Amber Schafer
12/6/2022
Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Sharing Spiritual and Physical Food
Amber Schafer
11/29/2022
Snapshot from the Church Network in Ukraine: Thank You for Your Encouragement!
Amber Schafer
11/28/2022
She Saw it as a Miracle!
Amber Schafer
11/10/2022
Backpacks for Refugee Children
Amber Schafer
11/8/2022
Olga: A Refugee Sharing Faith
Amber Schafer
11/3/2022
Attention, Care and Love
Amber Schafer
10/27/2022
Serving and Helping Together
Amber Schafer
10/19/2022
Zinaida and Ruslan: At First They Were Skeptical
Amber Schafer
10/5/2022
Tanya: A Ukrainian Refugee Finds Support Through the Local Church
Amber Schafer
9/22/2022
Andrey: A Refugee Boy’s First Step on the Path of Spiritual Awakening
Amber Schafer
9/22/2022
Thank You for Responding to the Needs of Ukrainians
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
Zhanna: She Did Not Want to Hear Anything About the Church
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
A Refugee Family Thanks Our Partner in Transnistria
Amber Schafer
9/14/2022
Tanya: Serving God by Working with Children
Amber Schafer
9/1/2022
Olga: This Program is the Best Way to Tell Children About Jesus
Amber Schafer
8/11/2022
Alla: This Church Has Become Like Family to Us
Amber Schafer
8/10/2022
Varya: Serving Children with a Heart Full of Love
Amber Schafer
8/4/2022
Olena: This Is My Story!
Amber Schafer
7/27/2022
Your Support Helped Refugee, Zlata, Receive a Food Package!
Amber Schafer
7/12/2022
Katya's Family Receives Shelter and Support from Help The Children
Amber Schafer
7/7/2022
Reaching the Hearts of Children and Refugees
Amber Schafer
6/28/2022
Seeking Hope and Security
Amber Schafer
6/22/2022
Refugees Receive Care and Support
Amber Schafer
6/7/2022
Refugees Experience the Care of the Local Church
Amber Schafer
5/31/2022
Your Care Makes a Difference in Wartime
Amber Schafer
5/19/2022
Fear to Faith
Amber Schafer
5/13/2022
A Seed Planted
Amber Schafer
5/2/2022
Opening Arms to Help Hurting Neighbors from Ukraine
Amber Schafer
4/26/2022
Practical Help to Refugees of War
Amber Schafer
4/12/2022
Refuge from War is Found at Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
4/4/2022
Helping Refugees from Ukraine Through the Help The Children Charity
Amber Schafer
3/31/2022
Transnistrian Partners Serve Like “The Good Samaritan”
Amber Schafer
3/30/2022
The Ukrainian Church is Serving in a Time of War
Amber Schafer
3/28/2022
Maybe There is a God!
Amber Schafer
3/17/2022
Help the Children is Providing Women and Children a Haven from the War
Amber Schafer
3/11/2022
Simple Blankets, Big Impact
Amber Schafer
2/24/2022
1,737 Children Hear About Jesus Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
2/7/2022
Extreme Activities and Camping Make an Eternal Impact in the Lives of Teens
Amber Schafer
1/24/2022
Larisa's Family Is Helped Through The Local Church
Amber Schafer
12/14/2021
Reaching Neighborhood Youth Through Sports
Amber Schafer
12/14/2021
Family Food Pack Update
SMI Staff
10/5/2021
Vlad Gets Help Navigating Life
Amber Schafer
8/4/2021
Thanks from Children of the Street
SMI Staff
8/3/2021
A Relationship Leads to Discipleship
Amber Schafer
8/1/2021
“The Foundation of My Life Was Laid” Through Bible Clubs
Amber Schafer
6/1/2021
2020 in Retrospect
Esley Patsch, Founder
4/1/2021