Where would you go if you suddenly had to flee your home country? Over 3.5 million people have fled Ukraine in the past month. Over half a million of them have come to Romania.

Jesus-followers in Romania and Ukraine have done an impressive job of adapting to the unplanned ministry of caring for those who have been displaced. A church planting ministry is now hosting a refugee camp. Orphan care and prison ministries have shifted gears to find creative ways to house and serve refugees. Churches have become temporary housing and many individuals have opened their homes to families. Some refugees stay for a few days on their way to other countries, others will settle permanently in Romania, some hope to eventually return to Ukraine, and many have no idea what to do next.

The needs are diverse, and constantly shifting. At this point, there is an abundance of volunteers on the ground meeting the most common needs. The biggest human resource need is translators: those who can speak Ukrainian or Russian and translate into Romanian or English.

Hope Force has found an immediate need we can address by partnering with a Romanian ministry, Fight For Freedom, working near the border. The founder, Gheorghe Ignat, was a national wrestling champion whose ministry was founded to serve the homeless and those who are transitioning out of prison. With the start of the war, they have pivoted to meeting the needs of Ukrainian refugees in Romania and delivering needed supplies to those still inside Ukraine.

HFI will be sending a team to Fight For Freedom’s facility near Suceava to help with the final remodeling of Freedom House -- now housing refugees. Half of the first floor is currently in use, with half of the second floor to be completed within the next week or two. The other half of the building is where we will be focusing our efforts. When completed, it will be able to house up to 300 refugees. They’ve been slowed down by a lack of available construction tradespeople in the area -- especially tile layers.

Hope Force has also committed resources in several specific areas in response to the request of our partner.  HFI is purchasing a vehicle to help address the transportation challenges of delivering desperately needed food and supplies to the people of Kiev.  Our partner can provide 20 tons of food for $9,000; we are seeking additionnal funding for this purpose.  The increase in Ukrainian refugees has resulted in the need to expand support capacities such as laundry services.  Hope Force has purchased commercial laundry equipment to help address the growing need.  Given the demands on those serving refugees and the refugees themselves, Hope Force anticipates that we will be sending a select emotional and spiritual care team.

Hope Force will be deploying two initial teams:

First team:  April 2- 16

2nd team:  April 16-30

Please pray for the following:

• The Hope Force teams being assembled to go to Romania
• The Jesus-followers in Ukraine, Romania and other surrounding countries who are seeking to show the love of Jesus to those in need. Pray for strength for many who have been working around the clock and are growing weary.
• Safety for the Fight For Freedom convoys that are delivering supplies to Kiev, Kharkiv, and other locations deep in war-torn Ukraine.
• The many Ukrainian people who have been separated from family members and facing an uncertain future. Where will they live? How will they support themselves? Will they ever see their loved ones again?

If you’re interested and have some of the following skills, contact our Deployment team using the following link to fill in your pertinent information: 

https://form.jotform.com/220826247559160

• Able to translate from Ukrainian or Russian into Romanian or English
• Experience laying tile on floors and shower walls
• Hanging doors, installing trim, and other finish carpentry and painting
• Flexible in changing circumstances: the most important needs when you get there could be different than what we expect today
• Able to prioritize the “Ministry of Presence” above using your technical skills

Please consider giving to our Hope Force International efforts with the Ukrainian refugees...and thank you for your continued prayers and support!