The day begins as a normal drive through the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Romania with members of the PIEI – USA Partnership Committee for Romania-Ukraine. Cornel Stef (Chairman), Rodica Popa (Treasurer), Alex Popa (Member), and Walter Windsor (Missions Director – Romania) are responsible for all the funds you have provided to go directly to the refugees for food and supplies. We are all volunteers, giving of our resources to spread the Gospel. We are bringing with us another shipment of food and supplies from Romania.

The scenery is breathtaking, while the roads are filled with automobiles, horses, and wagons (there are no lights at night whatsoever on the wagons), and people are just walking along the road. The mountains give way to the Alluvial Plains near the border with Ukraine. The first indication that something is not right is the long line of trucks (two wide – for over three miles) waiting to get into Ukraine. As we are a humanitarian convoy, we have no trouble and no lines in which to wait, which brings the thought that things aren’t so bad after all. Once we are through customs and immigration (both sides – of course), we see another line of trucks waiting to cross from Ukraine into Romania. This line is only one deep; however, we soon discover it goes on and on for miles and miles.

The drive to the area churches is uneventful. There are no damaged buildings, no streams of people along the road, and no damaged property; just a quiet calm that seems to say, “prepare yourself.” We notice the gas stations and are curious why there are no prices on the signs. We soon learn it is because there is no fuel! We are traveling early on Sunday, so we think nothing of the closed businesses. We soon learn most have been closed since the start of the war!

We meet at one of the area churches served by the PIEI missionaries. Then we’re welcomed quite enthusiastically, given food and drink, and pray together before separating to go to various churches in the region. Cornel Stef and I are taken to a church located in a village called, Dynivtsi. The pastor’s home is a few minutes away, so we go there and are provided with more food and drink. We then have fellowship until it is time for church. It was interesting to note that everyone stands for every prayer, and a prayer is offered before AND after every meal.

Our church is quite beautiful, similar in size to a 150-congregation church; however, these churches are quite ornate. Everyone gathers for prayer in the sanctuary to begin the service, which lasts from 2.5 to 3 hours. The one thing that is exactly like our local USA church is that everyone shows up about 10 to 15 minutes after the service starts! If you are a foreign visitor, you will be asked to say a few words (30 minutes or more), and you must always accept. It is taken seriously that every Christian must always be ready to share the Gospel.

We always have an English and Romanian interpreter in Romania, so the message is quite easily translated. In Ukraine, people speak Romanian, Ukrainian, and/or Russian! This makes a 30-minute message last for two hours! WOW, this is a first for me. Even with all this translating, many of the congregation understood the message! There were many questions (some even in English) and comments as I learned more and more about these beautiful people and the challenges this war has presented.

Now, the difficult part of this report; the refugees! They are easy to pick out of the crowd in the church. The first thing I noticed was all the women and children! It came to me rather suddenly, “Where are the men?” Then I remembered they are either fighting, have passed away, or are prisoners. In most instances, the women and children do not have any information regarding their husbands/fathers. Many do not know if their men are alive, dead, or wounded! The fear of the unknown saturates their presence, and they grasp for any hope that the life they once knew might be restored.

The many children are full of life, joy, and happiness as they play together in the churchyard! They seem to have forgotten (of course, they have not) that their lives have been turned upside down. They play just like children here in the USA. Your heart breaks that life for them will most likely never be the same.

The impacts any war has on the parents drastically change the way they see their lives and ultimately can have devasting effects on the children. We see the mothers with characteristics of PTSD and other emotional issues which require counseling and support from those who assist in managing these psychological challenges.

The good news is that we witness the food and supplies you have provided being distributed every day to the refugees. They are very thankful to have these necessities for themselves and their families. It amazed me how no one was complaining. Everyone was very appreciative and wanted anyone who donated to know how much it meant to have someone care enough to make sure they had food for their families. Along with the food, the PIEI missionaries work to share the love of Jesus and build relationships, finding additional ways to serve. Some people require medications; some need transportation, and most just want someone to lean on! We want Jesus to be the one the refugees can count on to love them, care about them, and support them through this conflict.

The best news is that God is alive and well in Ukraine! He is bringing new souls into His Kingdom and using PIEI missionaries to demonstrate the love of Christ to everyone, no matter their situation. This war is truly evil; however, God has shown us how He can use evil to bring His People together for the Kingdom! Everywhere you see evil in this conflict, you can see God working to bring His Greater Good to the hearts of humanity.

There are many stories from the war which would break your heart! The worst of humanity is being showered on these people. Torn from family and friends in the current conflict areas, most do not have news of those left behind. The people in the war zones controlled by the Russians are cut off with no communication, no money (forced to only use rubles), no one to turn to, and literally no hope for an end to this conflict. It is quite a different experience to see the impacts of war on these people rather than only seeing what is reported on television.

Where do we go from here? We will continue to ask for your help as this conflict progresses. Once the war ends, rebuilding will be required, and lives will demand support in all areas of life as we know it. We pray that those He has called will continue to work alongside us! PIEI cannot do this without you! We are here to serve, and we pray for those who can give of their time, treasure, and talents to bring peace to the people of Ukraine! May God Bring His Workers to the Harvest! Join the Lifeline for the experience of your Lifetime. God has called us; has He called you?

Walter Windsor- Missions Director, PIEI-Romania

www.PIEI.org/ukraine

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