Ukrainian Women's Retreat August 2024
Forty Ukrainian women from eleven regions gathered for a retreat in the Carpathian Mountains in early August. One of the Ukrainian sisters from Kherson wrote this message to her other 40 sisters.…“Have you noticed what an unprecedented fruit of the Spirit the Lord Jesus has attained in each of us? What a tremendous LOVE overflows our hearts!
What boundless JOY to see a friend! What unshakeable PEACE we have been filled! What an unceasing desire to serve one another! What a strong FAITH our sister has shared with us! With what MERCY we have been enriched by returning to the world! And at the same time, by what UNITY we are connected? And what REVERENCE and THANKSGIVING we have for God! And I have another gift from God…my blood pressure has changed for the better! So let us gain LONG-SUFFERING to cover with love this mutilated world because God has given us EVERYTHING for this.” She closed with the message of Romans 8:13…”Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.”
These women encouraged each other and prayed for each other before they returned to war-torn communities to serve their military families as they shared God’s love and His gospel. This flag was signed by soldiers on the frontlines and personally brought to the retreat by Natalya, the wife of one of the soldiers. Natalya is from Vinnytsia in central Ukraine. She and her husband, Valery, have 2 children. Valery was wounded on a mission when several of his soldiers were killed, and some are missing. He is in the hospital. His unit signed a flag so that she could bring it to the retreat. She spoke of the stress she was experiencing but acknowledged the hand of God in protecting her husband. A prayer book stopped a bullet when he was wounded. She said that it helps to pray and be with others who are experiencing the challenges of war. Natalya is new to Club Lavender led by Olena. Olena encourages Natalya and the other ladies. Olena brought several new ladies to the retreat…Lilia, a widow, who repented at retreat…Nadezhda, whose son Sergey is missing and Natalya. who also repented.
OBI supports these women who are on the “frontlines” in their communities, serving military families. The retreat is one of three events that OBI supports through Global Family Support…Christmas projects, Easter/Mother’s Day projects, and the summer retreat. Please prayerfully consider supporting them.
Caroline Grube
Family Support Program Director
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