Ukrainian Assistance Partnership
In light of recent events, we asked ourselves how our small Hazella community can get involved in showing support to Ukraine. We have partnered with Rebecca's brother, Dan Roth, in Latvia to send proceeds from our new Lamb Bierocks to support their refugee center that provides respite to Ukrainians en route to Finland.
Dan has a sheep farm and summer camp that his team has transformed into a safe place for weary travelers, many of which are young children, to eat, sleep and receive counseling in their own language.
Stop by the shop to pick up a Lamb Beirock or Cardamom Cookie, or click the link below to donate to the Ukrainian Assistance Fund directly. Also, please don’t be afraid to ask one of us next time you’re in the shop if you would like to learn more. These funds provide food, transportation, bedding, and more.
A Message from Latvia:
Sixteen days have now passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. The atrocities we daily witness from afar are horrific and shocking. Along with many other individuals and ministries around the world, BBI is working around the clock to serve from our own place and setting. Many of you have generously given to this effort, above and beyond your normal commitments. For this, I want to say THANK YOU and share some of the fruits of your giving.
First, let me introduce you to the precious refugee family now living at our office in Riga.
Slavic, his wife, Liuba, and their daughter arrived on Wednesday evening. Almers and his wife spent the week arranging the office to be comfortable for their stay. Slavic is a Ukrainian pastor who was serving in Russia when the war broke out. They have two sons who are still in Ukraine and cannot leave…
On Wednesday night, a bus filled with refugees (the majority of whom were children) arrived at Eagle’s Wings Camp for an overnight stay to rest and recuperate en route to Finland.
This project was initiated by a Finnish couple named Heide and Margo. They were sitting at home watching the horrors unfold on television and asked themselves what they might do to help. Margo is a bus driver who had planned a weeklong vacation. His company agreed to allow him to use their bus to transport aid and refugees. Heide then contacted a Baptist church in Poland, which connected them with the Latvian Baptist Union, which then connected them with Eagle’s Wings Camp. This is the beauty of partnerships.
Eagle’s Wings’ executive director, Diks Bortnikovs, and the Riga office staff, Almers and Vineta, worked together to purchase bedding, food, and other supplies for the refugees’ impending arrival.
Thirty-eight arrived in total; almost every adult had between 1 and 4 children with them. The youngest was a 7-month-old baby, held by her very young, very distraught mother. They were exhausted and discouraged.
In the meantime, Dan Roth had traveled to Riga to bring Slavic and Liuba to the camp to minister to the refugees upon their arrival. When the chaos settled, bellies were filled, and the children were put to bed, Slavic and Liuba entered into more serious, quiet counseling and prayer with each of the refugees…
The next morning, our visitors awoke refreshed and a bit more encouraged. Stories were shared. One woman spoke of bombs dropping around them as they fled in their car. Another shared about the destroyed bridges that impeded their escape. An 85-year-old woman said that she had traveled alone for three days to make it to the border. Immediately after crossing into Poland, she boarded the bus that brought her to the camp.
Later that day, our new Ukrainian friends boarded the bus once again to make the last leg of their traumatic journey to safety. They left with parting words of gratitude and relief. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve and will be opening the camp to more refugees soon. This horrific crisis has only just begun. Please continue praying for Ukraine, for those who have fled, and for those who have stayed behind to fight for their nation.
Your gifts to the Ukrainian Assistance Fund make a difference. You can click here to give a special gift today. Thank you for your generosity.
