From staff reports
On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and for the past year these two countries have been at war.
Since the start of the invasion, tens of thousands have died on both sides and the war has created Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II. Roughly eight million Ukrainians have been displaced within their own country and more than eight million have fled to outlying countries including their neighboring country of Romania.
Barnabas Ministries Romania, led by Emlenton native, Dan Hurrelbrink, immediately went into action. He reached out to invite supporters from across the state and their response was overwhelming.
Last year alone, Barnabas Ministries Romania provided:
– $5,500 in medicine to the areas of Irpin, Chernobyl, Kalynivka, Bohdanivka, Litki, Rozhny and the Donetsk region.
– $32,500 in food to Chernobyl, Gostomel, Borodianka, Nikolaev, Kharkiv, Kherson, Odessa and villages in the region of Donetsk.
– $10,870 was given to support Ukrainian refugees passing through Romania on their way to countries further West. Barnabas Ministries housed refugees, gave them resources to reach their destinations, and provided resources to refugee centers closer to the border.
– $2,500 went to print and distribute 1,000 booklets about trauma recovery for children, printed in the Ukrainian language.
– $2,000 was given to provide children’s camp in Mukachevo, Ukraine for 65 Ukrainian children from war affected areas such as Kherson, Kharkov, Nikolaev and Odessa.
Hurrelbrink, shares, “Unfortunately, the war is far from over and there are still so many needs. Sadly, with winter upon Eastern Europe, the humanitarian threat within the country of Ukraine has only increased. We are currently collecting coats and are preparing to receive a shipment of toys and supplies from Clarion for an orphanage in Ukraine. Upon arrival of these boxes, we will once again transport aid into the country. We hope to stay for several days to assist with the packing of food boxes that will be sent further East.”
Since the beginning of the war, Barnabas Ministries has been committed to distributing 100-percent of donations designated for helping Ukrainian refugees to be used for that purpose. We are committed to supporting our friends in Ukraine as we all seek an end to this war. Please consider making a special gift to Barnabas Ministries Romania to provide humanitarian efforts during this time.
Becky Gladd Hedglin, a Barnabas Ministries Romania volunteer board member from Clintonville shares, “When my husband and I started giving to Barnabas Ministries Romania 28 years ago, I had no idea Dan and his team would be positioned to serve women, children, and families in some of the darkest corners of the world. We are grateful to be a part of this ministry and are committed to supporting their work for as long as it takes!”