Ukraine (MNN) — Dozens of global corporations, including Amazon and Starbucks, say they’ll hire and train more than 13,000 refugees in Europe over the next three years. The commitment comes as Europe struggles to host refugees from Ukraine.
According to the United Nations, more than 108 million people were displaced at the end of 2022. Over half of the world’s 35 million refugees come from only three countries – Afghanistan, Syria, and Ukraine.
In Ukraine and the surrounding nations, Trans World Radio ministers to people on the run and in war zones.
A Roma woman holds one of the solar-powered radio units distributed by TWR.
(Photo courtesy of TWR)
“They visit a lot of churches; that’s one of their main activities besides recordings. They try to minister [through] counseling those people as they travel and visit,” TWR’s Alenka Stephenson says.
“They also get responses from the soldiers [in] the war zones. Some had [grown up in] church and drifted away and then came back” after they heard TWR programs, she adds.
Approximately one-third of Ukraine’s population is currently displaced. Roughly 5.5 million Ukrainians are homeless within the country, while some 6.3 million are refugees.
Individuals and families turn to TWR Ukraine for the latest updates and information about the war. Most importantly, TWR Ukraine shares the hope only Christ can give.
“They are looking into how to help people cope with the trauma, and the Roma ministry is also going quite well,” Stephenson says.
“Their goal is to help [people] in the current situation but [also] bring them to the source of hope: Jesus.”
Serving people in the middle of a war isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely essential. Here’s how you can help.
Pray that the Lord will open believers’ eyes so they can recognize His leading through circumstances or opportunities. Ask God to sustain the TWR Ukraine team and give them perseverance.
Pray for continued spiritual revival among the Roma populations in Ukraine who are tuning in to the various programs. Read the latest Roma update from TWR here.
“In Ukraine, [the Roma people are] often forgotten. [The TWR Ukraine team is] trying to bring them to Jesus,” Stephenson says.
“They did a radio distribution in nomadic Roma settlements. [The radio units have an] SD card with pre-recorded programs so people can use listen to the radio on it, [and] the programs. These are usually solar-powered, so they don’t need new batteries or recharging,” she continues.
“They’re also producing new programs and teaching different valuable things like ‘From Nomads to Farmers‘ or ‘How the War Changed the Roma People‘.”
Header and story images courtesy of TWR.
