It can be easy to forget our recipients often face hardships beyond living with disability. A recent report from our partner Mission Eurasia reminds us of some day-to-day realities in Ukraine.
Despite the ceasefire declared in February 2015, people in eastern Ukraine continue to live in constant fear. People with disabilities face especially difficult challenges. Even in moments of great danger, such as bombings, they are unable to move quickly enough to reach their basements.
Some SWW students made several visits to Alexander, who lives in the heavily damaged village of Andreyevka. During their last visit, in addition to food and Scripture, they also brought him a desperately needed wheelchair. Alexander lost both of his legs due to an injury, his wife left him many years ago, and his retirement payments barely cover his medications and utilities.
“Thank you for giving me hope, and for reminding me that I am not forgotten!”
Alexander has felt hopeless since the war began. During a recent shelling, he sat in his room and waited to die. “I will never forget the moment when I realized that the next missile could hit my home,” Alexander shares. “I was not afraid to die, because I didn’t care anymore. Thank you for visiting me, and for bringing me food and a wheelchair! Thank you also for the Bible. Now I will read it. Thank you for giving me hope, and for reminding me that I am not forgotten!”
In the words of our partner, “Our wheelchair distribution efforts have helped us to gain considerable credibility among local churches in Ukraine and among refugees. Not only is this credibility allowing us to visit very difficult regions in the war zone, it is also allowing us to share the gospel with people who have never before heard it.”
I hope you find this report from Mission Eurasia as encouraging as we did. The effects of the gift of mobility continue to spread through the lives of the recipients and their communities!
Blessings,
Don Schoendorfer
