A Christian charity has shared their concerns after a church in Mariupol, Ukraine was bombed.
Christian maritime charity Sailors’ Society (CMCSS) is worried for Society chaplains in Ukraine, as Russian forces have bombed a church that had been built by Sailors Society Chaplain for the Port of Mariupol, Pastor Viktor Dudnick around 18 years ago.
The CMCSS also received a previously unseen video showing a church devastated by the Russian bombing in Mariupol.
Sara Baade, chief executive officer of CMCSS said: “One of our chaplains has been sheltering 100 people, including many children, in his church.
“Food and water are sparse, but together they survived.
“Some brought flour to make bread to share around; another brought their only cow for meat.
“But as the shelling intensified, he managed to load a number of children and their families onto minibuses and flee the city.
“He has travelled for days desperate to save the young lives with him and reach the border
“He is 81 years old.
“Another chaplain has been providing food and hot tea to desperate families – and in recent days has been transporting disabled people to the border in his car.”
The Chaplain wrote: “Never worked as a taxi driver, but for the last ten days, we regularly take people to the border.
“We go there with men, women and children, and come back with men alone.
“Women have their eyes wet from tears.
“Men are usually empty and confused, an incredible number of personal tragedies.
“No one has ever refused to pray, so, we pray and hope.”
He added: “Lord give me the strength to endure!”
Sara added: “Charity workers across the world today will recognise that feeling in the pit of your stomach knowing some of your own are in the midst of the chaos in Ukraine.
“We too have family in Ukraine – our chaplains and port visitors and their nearest and dearest.
“They are not doing the jobs they were three weeks ago of course.
“Where they used to visit ships, they shelter families.
“Talking to crews about loved ones back home has been replaced with praying for survival, for peace.
“But they are doing what they always do – helping others in desperate need.”
SOURCE: PREMIER CHRISTIAN NEWS