Max
Max is from Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, which has been under severe Russian attack ever since the beginning of the full scale invasion. A few months ago he fell from a 9 story building that had been partially destroyed by the Russians. He miraculously survived but broke his neck and is now paralyzed from the chest down.
For the past 2 months doctors have been treating Max at our regional hospital here in Odesa, which is practically across the street from our home. Christina’s parents, Volodymr and Maria visit the wounded soldiers in the hospital at least once a week with a small team from their church. As a result they got to know Max. Well, they found out that the hospital does not shower patients like Max. So my father-in-law, along with two brothers in Christ, and I came to lift Max off his bed, place him on a gurney and wheel him over to the shower and wash him. What a powerful testimony of God’s love. When Max asked, “Why are you doing this?” The answer was simple, “Because of Jesus!”
I could see the a light come back into Max’s eyes after just getting that shower. But then there were also tears, “I have no one, no family, and I’m no good to anyone but now I have such good friends here!” He said, his voice trembling a bit as he fought back the tears. We shared the gospel with him and he seemed to accept it. I prayed for him, for true repentance, and for healing not only physically but also spiritually.
Max is going to Kyiv region this week, where he found an assisted living home. Please pray for him.
Sunday School Facility Bombed
In my last letter I wrote to you about Pastor Oleg and how the Russians had bombed his family car. Sadly, those evil doers didn’t stop there. A few days later they bombed the Sunday school facility at his church. Unfortunately, some of Pastor Oleg’s children were injured in the attack, thankfully, it’s nothing too serious and it looks like they will all make a full recovery.
Sadly, the Russians have significantly stepped up the bombing of this neighborhood, often attacking citizens, families, with children, and the elderly. As a result Pastor Oleg’s family was forced to move from their home to a location further from the river and less at risk. Their church services also had to be moved to a safer location. Please pray for “Light of The Gospel Church,” in Kherson. Pray for their safety and the continuation of their ministry in difficult times.
Pray for Pokrovsk/Myrnohrad
For nearly 10 years we have partnered with Brother Oleksandr. We helped him plant churches on the war torn front lines. Unfortunately, all those villages have now been destroyed and taken by Russian forces. Oleksander and his wife stayed behind as long as they could. They even recently baptized one of the refugees from a village church plant that sadly no longer exists.
Above is a building in Myrnohrad recently hit by a Russian glide bomb.
After one recently hard shelling I reached out to Brother Oleksandr to see how he was doing.
Pastor Oleksandr wrote to me:
“We are still serving here but the situation is tense. On Sunday, by God’s grace we will baptist one woman from Vodone. We are working to evacuate people. Unfortunately, our van broke down, I order the part for it but all the car repair shops have closed up here so there is no one to repair it.”
Praise God for Lena, who was baptized. She is a refugee who lost her home and everything when the Russians came. Now she has found hope in Jesus Christ and an eternal home. Our “Story of Hope” Bible study helped Lena to see clearly God’s plan of salvation!
Unfortunately, because of the advancement of Russian troops Brother Oleksandr and his congregation were forced to evacuate further from the front lines. Please pray that the Russian’s advancements would be stopped and pray that God would protect those like Brother Oleksander who continue to preach the gospel in these difficult areas!
Serving Jesus in Ukraine!
Caleb and Christina Suko
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