Meet Lena! She is the coordinator of the Summit Missions Bible Club program. Each week-long club is full of games, songs, lessons, and crafts, and Lena says the children are noisy, active, and have an exciting time. But these same children that burst with energy just moments before will "stop to ask important questions about the Bible lessons they heard," Lena added. "These are the times we as leaders recognize the seed we sowed got into their little hearts.”
For several months Lena has been preparing and gathering materials, decorations, and craft supplies for each of the 44 churches hosting Bible Clubs throughout Moldova and Transnistria this year. While preparing for the program, war broke out in Ukraine, and an influx of refugees flooded across the borders into neighboring countries, including Moldova.
Quickly shifting her focus from preparations for the summer program, Lena began ministering to refugees along with her local church. When asked how she managed both ministries, Lena responded, “I prayed that God would guide me and give me wisdom in what to do. After praying about the situation, I realized that helping the refugees was the most important thing. During the first week of the war, I devoted much of my time transporting them from the border of Moldova and Ukraine to shelters in Chisinau and Transnistria. And I would answer Bible Club questions by phone with leaders as I had the opportunity.”
Lena told us that one of the best things about helping refugees in this way has been the amazing opportunities to talk about Jesus. Sometimes these discussions would happen on the drive from the border to shelters or during visits with refugee families when delivering food. “I still keep in touch with some of the refugees I helped. There are still many refugees needing help as the war continues in Ukraine. Pray for our local churches,” requests Lena. “That Christians will continue to be the first people to step up and respond in help to the many Ukrainians now living in our communities.”
For the past several months, Lena has continued this dual ministry of serving refugees and overseeing preparations and the start of Bible Clubs. Lena asks that we “pray that the war and political situation will not impede the Bible Club program and prevent them from taking place.”
Lena says she hopes that this year Ukrainian refugee children living in communities throughout Moldova will attend the Bible Clubs and hear about Jesus. She anticipates that 2,600 children will attend clubs throughout the summer. "God does His work in the heart of each child that attends the program at the right time," says Lena. And she is confident that the seeds planted this year will again grow and turn the hearts of many children to Jesus, as they have over the past 28 years of ministry in that region.
Practical Help a Conduit for Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer
9/16/2024
Preaching the Gospel and Providing Support
Amber Schafer
9/4/2024
Childlike Faith
Amber Schafer
8/21/2024
Faithful Servant
Amber Schafer
8/15/2024
Going for the Goal
Amber Schafer
8/15/2024
A Ukrainian Church Plant Provides Practical Help and Spiritual Hope
Amber Schafer
7/1/2024
Natasha: I Like Everything About Bible Club!
Amber Schafer
7/1/2024
Ministry on the Frontlines of War
Amber Schafer
6/24/2024
Sports: Building Meaningful Relationships and Sharing About Jesus
Amber Schafer
6/3/2024
Reaching Ukrainian Youth with God’s Word
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Your Support Prepares Leaders for the Growth of Churches in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Dasha: I Liked Hearing About God at Bible Club!
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Volunteers Make a Difference Serving at Our Warehouse in Ohio
Amber Schafer
5/23/2024
Three Prayers
David Windham
5/20/2024
Anastasia: Adventure Camps Helped Prepare Me for the Future
Amber Schafer
5/9/2024
Finding Encouragement and Support at Help the Children International
Amber Schafer
5/2/2024
Belief Through Curiosity in the Local Church
Amber Schafer
4/30/2024
Ministry on the Sports Field
Amber Schafer
4/11/2024
Providing a Place of Safety
Amber Schafer
3/19/2024
An Opportunity to Hear the Good News of Jesus
Amber Schafer
3/12/2024
Making an Eternal Impact in the Lives of Hundreds of Young People
Amber Schafer
3/6/2024
Hope Amid Destruction
Amber Schafer
2/29/2024
Teaching, Instructing, and Talking About God
Amber Schafer
2/29/2024
Ministry and Growth During War
Amber Schafer
2/28/2024
See the Smiles You Brought to Kids in Ukraine!
Amber Schafer
2/8/2024
Painting Joy for Ukrainian Refugees
Amber Schafer
2/1/2024
Nelya’s Story: Lord, Have Mercy on Me!
Amber Schafer
1/15/2024
Room for Dreams and Desires to Develop for Her Future
Amber Schafer
1/11/2024
Adventure Camps Bring Spiritual Development
Amber Schafer
1/11/2024
A Gift You Can Share
Amber Schafer
12/11/2023
Snapshot From the Church Network in Ukraine: Helping Those Who Have Left Occupied Territories
Amber Schafer
12/6/2023
Sharing the Bread of Life
Amber Schafer
11/29/2023
I Want Them to Come to Bible Club Because They Do Not Know a Lot About Jesus
Amber Schafer
11/29/2023
After Adventure Camp, I Began to Think More About Life and the Future
Amber Schafer
11/29/2023
Church Growth During War in Ukraine
Amber Schafer
11/21/2023
I Have Learned A Lot About God
Amber Schafer
11/21/2023
Bible Clubs: Building Long-Term, Promising Relationships with Children and Parents
Amber Schafer
11/8/2023
Larisa’s Story
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
A Place of Safety and Growth
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
Halyna’s Story
Amber Schafer
10/23/2023
Smiles are on the way to Ukraine!
Amber Schafer
10/12/2023
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