‘They are in fear for their lives’
Moldovan pastor well-known in Georgia opens avenue for Americans to aid Ukrainian refugees
In the late evening hours of Monday, Feb. 28, Evghenii Sologubenco was arriving at his home in - - into the country. The swath of as the world watched a 40-mileAnd yet Moldovans, Sologubenco - ers, assisting those who continue to cross the border by the thousands. Sologubenco said. “I’m looking in a lot of times, afraid they will be taken advantage of. They are extremely - are meeting them offering them free rides, offering them free SIM cards
And this is where Sologubenand he has longstanding ties with numerous American congregations through his visits over the years to - istries. Local churches he’s main - - - nually since 1994 and have become well-acquainted with Sologubenco
“The Lord burdened our heart,
near the Ukraine border. tired churches, and now, as of - er members of the Rome commuof mouth. Those who would like to Ministries website, which denotes - firmed that 100% of the money donated for Ukrainian relief will be
‘THEY LEFT EVERYTHING BEHIND’
are meeting a haggard and terri - an neighbors struggle away from their homes. Sologubenco said. “Many are looking to cross Moldova and go furmany women do not drive, he’s families as far as the border and then turning around.
- - - are still not allowed to get out of the country because there’s still
Sologubenco’s on-the-ground - sonally met with the nation’s government officials in recent days in efforts to secure resources. He’s
waiting to see relief organizations those needing medical attention. And he’s looking to the contacts he’s cultivated stateside over the donations for basic needs like toiletries, food and heat for the care centers volunteers have set minivans with $2,000 to $4,000 worth of food and goods to take to refugees who are now in the north and south of the country.
“Every resource we have right Sologubenco said. “Now, we’re - -
- restock them for distribution.
course, now, the issue is that the - are some donations. And then, by the evening, a lot of that is bewe even thought, and then in the morning, we hear about another as they face the colossal task of families in need. “There’s no more individual churches. There is no more ‘my ministry, your ministry.’ There is no
THE WAY OUT
families crossing the border carrying their belongings.
“I’ve seen just families walking - “The line on the other side of the - - lem is that getting to the border
concern — and that of government exiting Ukraine.
“Should the wave of the refugees - will start running, it can become messages — let us know they are to take care of the Ukrainian refugees now here. There’s very few ways, if any, of sending money
- ciation for American solidarity in - charged to do the thing right in - brothers and sisters in Christ in the United States standing in the