Through the conflict, life carries on in Ukraine

STORY AND PHOTO BY EMILY LOEWEN

The darkness fell in an instant. One minute, a music video was projected on the wall of the small church, and kids were singing along. The next moment the power was off. The room plunged into darkness.

It was only a few seconds before the kids pulled out cellphones and flashlights. One older child quickly connected a string of Christmas lights to a battery. The music kept playing on a battery-operated speaker, and the singing resumed. The group, participants in a children’s program in Ukraine run by MCC partner Fire of Prometey, continued to sing in the semi-darkness, until one of the organizers got the generator running a few minutes later.

Life is disrupted. But life carries on.

In December, I had the honour of visiting some of MCC’s local partners in western Ukraine to see first-hand the work they’re doing. What struck me over and over again was how people’s lives have been upended in so many ways, big and small. But people found ways to adapt to the difficult situation and to carry on.

Damaged infrastructure around the country leaves people without power for hours every day. School programs for kids were put on hold for months, their classrooms turned into shelters. Families were forced to pick up their lives in an instant, leaving everything behind. And despite it all, life carries on.

>> Read the full story here.

JUNE 6-8, 2023

PASTORS CREDENTIALING ORIENTATION pco.mennonitebrethren.ca

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Classifieds

South Abbotsford Church in Abbotsford British Columbia, is a vibrant multi-generational, kingdom-focused community seeking a new Lead Pastor. The primary role is to shepherd the church from a Biblical standpoint, provide strategic and spiritual leadership and maintain operational oversight. South Abbotsford Church has a desire for a transformational leader with a servant's heart, to be both creative and structured in inspiring people towards a culture of discipleship and a deeper surrender to Jesus Christ.

The Lead Pastor will serve as the spiritual/theological leader of a growing church of over 600 people; provide strategic and operational direction; Lead and develop people, while providing leadership and direction over the ministries and services of South Abbotsford Church.

For more information and to apply, click here.

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