{"id":259869,"date":"2023-03-06T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-06T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/?p=259869"},"modified":"2023-08-08T11:17:34","modified_gmt":"2023-08-08T17:17:34","slug":"serving-jesus-in-a-war-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/blog\/serving-jesus-in-a-war-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Serving Jesus in a War Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On this bitter winter day, Russia is again shelling eastern Ukraine. Tyler and Kelly Sanderford<\/a>, Navigator missionaries in Ukraine for 16 years, are clearly troubled by the news. \u201cWe\u2019ve spent a lot of time today praying and waiting and reading the news and checking on our people,\u201d Kelly reports from their temporary apartment in Budapest, Hungary. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Tyler,<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When war comes to your adopted country, disciplemaking focuses on the needs of those you are serving and investing in. Early in 2022 the Sanderfords joined the millions of Ukrainians crossing the border to safety. Since then, God has shown them how they can minister most effectively in a time of crisis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As conflict threatened, the family made evacuation plans and even did a dry run. Then, on January 26, 2022, the U.S. Embassy recommended that all Americans leave the country. Their Navigator leaders agreed that safety came first. Tyler and Kelly left their home and pets in Kyiv under the care of a Ukrainian believer and drove with their three teenagers to Budapest, Hungary, where they could stay with friends. They hoped they would only be there for a month or so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in February the war exploded. As they searched for a Budapest apartment and enrolled their kids in an international school, they began to hear from Ukrainian friends who needed help. The phone would ring: \u201cMy great aunt will be at train station, could you pick her up and take her to the airport?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They wore a path between the border, the train station, and the airport, ferrying their contacts away from the conflict. Through their relational networks, they helped people find shelter in Western Ukraine, Budapest, and throughout Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Tyler and Kelly faced the crushing needs of millions of refugees, they began to ask, \u201cWhat has God gifted us to do?\u201d Kelly recounts. They were willing to address physical needs, but they refocused on their true calling: \u201cGod has made us to care for people.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encouraging Those Encountering Tragic Loss<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Their Ukrainian friends and those they had discipled were struggling: separated from family and friends, living in a foreign country, trying to function in a different language, attempting to build a safe and stable life for their children. They had lost their homes and their vocations\u2014at least for now. \u201cThey feel very alone and isolated,\u201d Tyler says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tyler and Kelly began to visit their scattered friends. They traveled to Poland, to the United Kingdom twice, and are planning a trip to Germany. Tyler summarizes, \u201cWe want to see what they need.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They find that one of the Ukrainians\u2019 biggest needs is a friend to come alongside them during the challenging seasons of war. \u201cWe listen a lot,\u201d Tyler says. \u201cWe ask, \u2018How are you doing, what was scariest thing that happened, how have you seen God working?\u2019 Most important, we want to help them find their encouragement from the Lord.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Kelly has started an online mothers\u2019 prayer group\u2014a way for Ukrainian women to connect and to join in prayer for their children. Once a month Tyler goes back to Kyiv to check on people they know who cannot leave or have chosen to stay behind. \u201cI pray, encourage, listen, and take them things they need,\u201d he says. He has brought food, generators, and camp stoves for friends who have lost electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meeting people where they are in life, whether it is in a war zone or life crisis, is part of discipleship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus met people where they were whether they needed healing, food, or water\u2014He showed them the way, truth, and life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kelly summarizes how God is working through them as the war drags on. \u201cWe can walk with our Ukrainian brothers and sisters through this dark time. We can be encouragers, we can cheer them on, we can speak truth to them in a place where they don\u2019t often hear it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Sanderfords in prayer for those they serve:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Pray<\/strong> for Ukrainians to have peace in their hearts because of Jesus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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    • Pray<\/strong> for the Ukrainians would turn to the Lord as they lose any sense of control over their lives<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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      • Pray<\/strong> for provision for those in the war zones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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        • Pray<\/strong> for peace and a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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          Discipleship Tip:<\/h3>\nWhen those in your circle of influence lack physical and emotional needs, first pause and help by caring for their needs. Then see how God leads you to invite them to follow Jesus with you.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
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          Discipleship During Crisis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          In the \u201cDiscipleship During Crisis\u201d episode of Disciple: Be One, Make One Podcast,<\/em> Tyler and Kelly share their journey of what missions looks like in Eastern Europe in light of the war in Ukraine. Explore with them what it means to share God\u2019s love with those you know who may be in a crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Click the link below to listen now to this podcast episode, \u201cDiscipleship During Crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n