Calling Skilled Builders

Dear friends,
On behalf of the people of Ukraine, I am crying out to you for help.

I will spend three months this summer in Ukraine, beginning in May.  We are now laying gravel on the access road to the land we have found for the camp.  We have detailed plans for the first new building, and will soon dig the foundation and septic field. 
My goals for this summer:   
- Improve the two small existing buildings, making them comfortable for staff quarters. 
-Begin the new building, which will serve as kitchen, cafeteria, meeting room, and sauna for the camp. 
 

WE NEED FRAMERS, PLUMBERS, ELECTRICIANS AND CARPENTERS THIS SUMMER FOR 1 OR 2 WEEKS. 
I will feed and house you, and you build.
 

Ukrainian men up to age 60 are all conscripted into the war.  That means a huge shortage of skilled labor for construction!  WE NEED YOUR HELP! 

Many thousands of wounded Ukrainian soldiers are coming out of hospital with severe life changing injuries.   Resources are shunted to the war, so these soldiers return home completely unequipped to deal with the realities of lost limbs and war trauma.  Marriages are disintegrating in the face of injury.  Imagine the long term impact of children and parents.   This camp will offer couples time away together,  a space to grieve, learn relationship skills, connect with fellow strugglers and find spiritual hope.  Couples will learn they are not alone, and gain insight from those farther along in healing.  Rebuilding lives will take years, and this camp can be a first step for many. 

I love watching World War II movies.  Perhaps you do as well.  And perhaps like me, you love the stories of ordinary people who, despite facing uncertainty and danger,  stepped out to bravely help those in need.  And also perhaps like me, you hope and imagine that you, also, might have done the same.   It is not so hard to see the best and bravest in ourselves for a war that is long over.  But this Ukrainian war is happening now.  The uncertainty is now.  And the need to help is now.   

The uncertainty on many levels is real.  However Chernivtsi where this camp will be located, is in the far west and south of Ukraine and very close to the Romanian border.  It is far from the front, and an area that has to date not been attacked by rockets.  I have been there twice in the last year. Marta was there in September, and will join me again in May.

Three years ago I underwent my third spinal surgery.  These failed surgeries left me with chronic pain and a severe limp as my left leg inexplicably stopped working.  The date of that third surgery was February 24, 2022-the day Russia invaded Ukraine.  As I lay in the hospital considering my inability to walk, I watched endless hours of horrifying news.  A deep desire settled in me to help limbless soldiers and broken families in Ukraine. 

Please seriously consider sharing your expertise for a week or two this summer.  Also consider supporting this camp financially.  Please help reach these families with Christ's hope.  Spread this request to your friends and churches.   When I went to St. Petersburg in 1992 to help street children, people told me it was an impossible task.  The vision I had  back then lacked money, support and experience. YET IT IS ALIVE TODAY!  The orphanage I opened with Gods help has been home to thousands of children and continues to this day.  God does Mighty things!

Please join me in this vision now for Ukraine. 

I bless you all, my friends, and pray God opens your hearts to His work.   Join us in prayer and join us in action.
Alex

The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'   Matthew 25:40