Dear friend,

Thank you for your partnership with Mark and I through the work we are doing at Cru. This month, all eyes have been on Ukraine. Our hearts break as we hear about what’s going on there and think of the people caught up in war. 

The International School Project has strong teachers’ movements in both Ukraine and Russia. Other Cru ministries also work in both countries. Below are updates from teachers and leaders in Ukraine and the surrounding countries. These will give you a sense of their situation. Please join us in praying for them.

Natalie, a teacher in Ternopil, Ukraine: Thanks for your prayers. We are scared, but we are strong. We all pray together and believe God will hear our prayers. Pray for us, for the soldiers, the children, for our internal peace and PEACE. (Ephesians 3:20)

Oleg and Galina, ISP’s coordinators in Ukraine: Besides their routine duties, [teachers] are helping our army and thousands of refugees. Our teachers pray daily, encouraging one another. (Psalm 121:1-2)

Sergey, Teachers’ Ministry director in Ukraine: Thank God we are alive, our children are and also our staff. We have temporarily moved closer to western Ukraine, where Dina’s parents live. However, we have 9 people from Kiev who are not yet believers living in our dacha 60 km outside of Kiev. Pray for unbelievers to come to Christ as Christians welcome them into their homes. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

Ala, a teacher in Kamyanets-Podilsky, Ukraine: It’s relatively quiet in my part of the country. The city and surrounding villages are accepting refugees and we are accommodating them in the schools, including in my school. There was an air raid, so we had to hide in the basement. We as Christians are calm; and I believe that it is God who gives peace in order to comfort others who are afraid. (Joshua 1:8-9)

Staff members and teachers in Moldova:  We are receiving refugees and are working 24 hours a day to find shelter, food and clothing for them. We are exhausted.  Tomorrow, we will spend several hours with the women and children in one center and will be looking for opportunities to share with them. Pray for strength to care for the refugees and opportunities to present Christ. (Isaiah 41:10)

Over the next few weeks, when you hear news of the war in Ukraine, please pray for these Christ-followers and others, and for peace to return.

Also, please pray for our health. Mark’s eye surgery is scheduled for March 17 — pray for a successful surgery and a quick and full recovery. I’m doing physical therapy to help solve my arm and shoulder problems.

Thank you so much for the valuable part you play in our lives. We’re grateful for your prayers and gifts.

Sincerely in Christ, Anne Marie, for the Winz family