War hits home

Four and a half years ago, I first stepped foot in Rockdale. Little did I know that my time here would take me places I never would have dreamed.

Only two years in, our church sent a team to Ukraine. The Russian-Ukrainian war has hit home for us here at Meadowbrook. We have sent a team there every year since that first trip I went on. I learned so much about that proud, yet small country. As soon as our team stepped off the plane we fell in love with it. The people there are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet. They are kind and excited to show off their great country. We made many friends there, friends we still talk to and pray for.

Little do many know that the Russian-Ukrainian war has an impact here in Rockdale. For security reasons I will not be giving any names, but through Meadowbrook Baptist Church, two missionaries have been working there for many years.

One, the lady who started the mission organization there, grew up here in Rockdale and her parents are still here. She comes back when she can to give us a report about all that is happening there and how God is using that mission organization to reach the people of Ukraine for the Kingdom of God.

The other person is a man who was once on staff here at Meadowbrook. God called him away from us to Ukraine. After he went on his first trip there, almost two years ago, God put a passion in his heart for the Ukrainian people that is still so very strong.

Along with these are two other missionaries, one from Canada, and another from the US. These strong believers know that God is in control of what happens in this war and they desire to follow His will, no matter how hard it may be.

The two missionaries from Rockdale have decided to stay, to work with the people there and show them the love God has for them. They felt, from the Holy Spirit, that they needed to stay. Now they are working with a local church setting up a refugee home within the church. They work daily to provide all that the refugees need.

I have spoken with one of the missionaries, and he told me they have plenty of food and supplies as of right now. What they are needing is help taking care of the refugees. As you can imagine feeding that many is expensive. But he assured me that they are okay. They are leaning on each other and every night spending time at the church worshiping the Almighty God.

Please continue to pray for all of Ukraine, but remember also the ties that Rockdale has over there. Remember our fellow citizens and workers of Christ, who are there being His hands and feet in the middle of a war. If you would like to help with the cost of their work with the refugees, you can go to www.ewaymissions.org/give. Place in the reference box “Refugees” and that money will be used for that purpose. It does not go to any overhead or salaries. It will all go to help those who have been displaced.

I am proud to say that I know these two wonderful Rockdalians. I am also proud to know their families. Her family is still here. Both families are worried, so pray for them also. We tend to think about foreign wars as something so far away, but this war hits home to many here in our small town. We have lots of friends there as I mentioned earlier. They are dear to our hearts. So when you hear about something happening on the news about Ukraine, say a prayer for them.

We stand with Ukraine!

Pastor Stephen Ammons

Meadowbrook Baptist Church