July 2024 – From Jeff: I am currently here at our Kyiv, Ukraine office writing this newsletter. Air raid sirens go off each night around 2 am but we have not heard explosions. We have visited many families this week and I am struck by a recurring theme. The Ukrainian people are thankful for your help. They do not take it for granted. The many letters we receive, written to sponsors, reflect this same attitude. Thus, I hope you will enjoy these short stories of thankfulness.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col 3:17
Support MPTo Not Be Forgotten
A few days ago we visited five different refugee families. They were resettled from the Bakhmut area to another region of Ukraine. Each family had their own story to tell of how they escaped shelling and explosions. One family had actually stayed in the area under Russian occupation. When they saw how Ukrainian families were treated, they decided to secretly flee. The families we visited lost everything but their lives. As I concluded a prayer for the family, a grandmother joyfully and tearfully thanked us for not forgetting them.
Tomatoes, Potatoes, and a Car
Peter (Pytor) is 67 years old. He is a hard working man and has been married to Irina for a very long time. He used to have three dairy cows and would sell the milk to his neighbors. He grew vegetables at home and worked at a factory. He felt that his retirement years would be okay. They didn’t have a lot of money, but they had their small home, a plot of land to grow vegetables, three cows, lots of egg producing chickens and a small pension. Today, they live in someone else’s house and must pay rent.
“We escaped. Now, all I have in this world is this car and trailer,” Pytor said.
Interestingly, he said it matter-of-factly, assuming we would understand that he wasn’t complaining. He then showed us their garden full of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, cabbage, pumpkins and chickens they are raising. It is a privilege to support families like these, and your support of Mercy Projects means we can share the love of Jesus.
A New Rocket Waters the Garden
An enterprising Ukrainian man needed a water tank for his strawberries. It just so happened that his company removed a Russian rocket from a farmer’s field. He asked to take it home and has transformed it into a watering tank for his garden. He rents his village home out to a refugee family that we visited.
“I Can’t Hold Back My Tears”
In recent months the Kolomyets family in Ukraine learned their mother needed surgery. When their sponsor learned about it, they asked how they could help. “What would the surgery cost?” they asked.
Since this sum of money seemed exorbitant to the family, they were reluctant to share the need. However, the sponsor paid for the surgery, which cost in the hundreds of dollars, and today the mom is doing much better.
“I am writing to you and I can hardly hold back tears … These are tears of happiness and joy that I have such support from you!”
Mrs. Kolomyets continues, “Now I take medicine for pressure, to control it everyday. I was discharged home after a week. The recovery phase is ongoing. It still hurts, of course. But I am happy, because I know that the Lord will help me! I can handle everything.”
“Thank you for help! You have no idea how grateful I am! This is an unaffordable amount for my family! We pray for you, for your family and wish health and well-being to you!”
Gildan Clothing Company Donations
The Gildan clothing company recently donated a 20 ton truckload of T-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies. Everything is brand new and people are excited to receive such nice quality clothing (as opposed to used clothing 
donations). Our team delivered food items and Gildan clothing to each refugee family, but what was most important to everyone was that they were not forgotten. We sat with them, talked, listened to their stories, and prayed with them. Hard working Ukrainian families are grateful. As this war continues, your support of Mercy Projects is directly sharing the love of Christ with those in need. Thank you!