Eastern Europe Developments

Despite the difficulties of war in Eastern Europe, we see the Lord mightily at work in Poland and Lithuania! We see that Psalm 9:9 is especially true for those caught in the Ukrainian war: “The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”? 

Poland? ?

World Witness’ work in Poland continues today under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Frank van Dalen. I had a chance to preach and visit there in May. Church leadership expressed gratitude for our support and encouragement. Their ownership and growth have instigated a fresh translation of the shorter and larger catechism in preparation for combining with several other, independent Presbyterian churches. One of those churches was planted by a MTW missionary in Krakow, Poland. Together, they will adopt the WCF and catechism and constitute themselves as the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Poland. This will be the only Presbyterian denomination in Poland. We give thanks to the Lord that, despite difficult beginnings for this church, God is bringing together four congregations to become confessional, Presbyterian churches for the furtherance of the Gospel in Poland.?? 

Lithuania? ?

In Lithuania, I recently had a chance to hear stories of Ukrainian refugees who have been living at the Reformed Church in Kaunas, where Frank van Dalen is pastoring.?? 

Since 2014, 20-year-old Andres from Mariupol, was used to hearing the noises of war in east Ukraine. However, as the war drew closer, he and his family abandoned their apartment building which was subsequently destroyed by Russian shelling. He stopped his story to show us pictures of the charred, crumbling concrete that was once his home. They made campfires on the street to cook food and slept in the basement of a hospital, where?they had access to a water well until it dried up. They had no electricity. Soon the hospital food ran out, and people began looting. Early one morning in the courtyard of the hospital, a lone man tending the cooking fire stepped away from the fire to the edge of the compound to smoke a cigarette. In that moment an artillery shell landed directly on the fire pit. Miraculously no one died; but this was the tipping point. 

Andres and his family fled to a bordering Russian town. There were two bridges for passage, but one was damaged and the other had soldiers fighting. They put white flags with writing “Children in the car” outside their car windows to escape, hoping it would prevent soldiers from attacking their vehicle. Andres’ parents traveled to a bordering Russian town, while he made his way to Lithuania. Though he feels safer here, he relives his time in Mariupol often. He said he wouldn’t wish what he saw on his worst enemies and asked for prayers for his parents, who remain in Russia, and for those who are mourning and burying the dead in Ukraine.?? 

Besides the human cost, refugees most want to talk about the loss of their homes. Today, many literally live in a house of the Lord, where they not only hear the Word of God but live in its mercy, through the van Dalens’ ministry and that of thousands of other believers who are providing relief to these needy people.?? 

Pray for increased perseverance among workers and refugee families, many of whom are considering if they can ever go home. And, of course, pray for the people of Ukraine. Though I personally am very proud of all our ARP missionaries who have devoted so much time and energy to these people, I am also reminded they are simply living the Gospel they preach. May we all be encouraged to do the same.??