June 22 - Caring for Ukraine’s Refugees

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The country of Georgia is home to some

four million people.

Out of these millions,

Pastor Grigol is one of only two Georgian

Seventh-day Adventist pastors.

We don’t have many workers,

and because of that

we have a lot of functions as pastors.

It’s a big challenge because

we don’t have enough resources.

Pastor Grigol lives in

the port city of Batumi,

Georgia’s second largest city.

The mission challenges grow by the day

as new apartments, casinos,
and other developments

are constructed around his church.

Many people don’t trust

when you talk to them about God.

I would say this is one of the challenges.

Although historically,

Georgia was the second nation

to officially adopt Christianity,

Adventism has struggled
to gain ground here.

The Adventist Church
is very small in Georgia.

There are approximately 300 Adventists

scattered around Georgia.

In Batumi we have a church

consisting of approximately 40 members.

Despite their small numbers,

church members in Batumi

have a heart for mission.

So they have found practical ways

to follow Christ’s method of ministry.

When we become friends with people,

like we try to organize
different social projects

and humanitarian projects

for people who are in need,

and when they get closer to us

and start to communicate with us,

then we have more trust from them.

Recently, the greatest need comes

from the influx of Ukrainian refugees.

Adventists in Batumi

welcome refugees to their church

for a variety of classes and programs.

Today, they are
conducting English classes.

The classes are a great way
for the Ukrainians

to come together to learn and socialize.

These gatherings have
allowed them to develop

a community away
from their homes in Ukraine.

It allows them to feel
supported and cared for.

The church also offers classes

to learn the Georgian language.

Learning Georgian helps them find

job opportunities more easily

so that they can integrate

and feel more at home.

Through these projects

we become friends with them

and sometimes they ask

questions about our church,

about our beliefs and we can share.

We believe that these projects

will have influence and

maybe some of them

will even start to attend our church.

Pastor Grigol and church members in Batumi

have been praying for funds to build

an urban center of influence

that would provide space for them

to offer more programs to their community.

Currently, the church is too small.

Sometimes we have a challenge

because we don’t have

rooms or space to conduct

different kinds of events and meetings.

For example, with this English class

we have to use our hall

where we have services.

This is our biggest need I would say.

This quarter, a portion
of your 13th Sabbath Offering

will help construct

an urban center of influence
in Batumi, Georgia.

This will vastly improve

outreach efforts here.

This is a big honor and a big joy that

there are many people who care

and are interested in supporting

the mission in our country.

Please pray as church members in Batumi

continue to meet
the needs of their neighbors.

Thank you for supporting

13th Sabbath Offering projects like this!

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