September 16 - Redefining "Sanctuary"

Ruslana and her family are among the millions of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Few know where they will end up. Adventist churches across Europe are redefining what it means for a church to be a sanctuary. ADRA supports their efforts to take in thousands of refugees.

We didn't think that we were hungry

or we couldn't take a shower
because there was no hot water.

We just were thinking about,

"Are we going to stay alive today?"

or "Are we going to die?"

And we were only praying all the time.

And thanks God we are still alive.

I'm Ruslana.

I'm staying here in Poland at the church.

My family are refugees from Ukraine.

My mom, my siblings, sister, and brother.

Unfortunately, our father,

he's a preacher,
and he is left in Ukraine.

When the first day of war started,

we hoped it would end soon, but it didn't.

And the worst part was that
our city Berdyansk was occupied

on the second and third days of war,

so just from the start.

And we couldn't leave the city at all.

And the pharmacies, the food stores
were completely empty.

People couldn't buy food
or even like simple medicines.

And also, we didn't have any network

or we couldn't even call
that we are alive.

And our grandmother, she was so worried,

and we couldn't tell her
that we are alive.

It was so bad.

Ruslana and her family
are among the millions of refugees

fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

Few know where they will end up.

The majority of us
don't have relatives or friends here.

And the only people who helped
is the church.

The church gives us
a chance to have a future

and helps us with the basic things.

And here is the bedroom.

So we slept here.

And it's quite comfortable.
It's warm here and nice.

And we are really glad
that the church provided us

a place to sleep in.

Adventist churches across Europe

are redefining what it means
for a church to be a sanctuary.

ADRA supports their efforts
to take in thousands of refugees.

Jesus never asked, "Who are you?"

"What is your nationality?"

"Are you a good person or bad person?"

He was open.

And I think this is a good example for us.

When we are helping others,
it's like Jesus' hands will be through us.

We change because of Jesus,
of his impact on us.

And we want to be His hands.

We want to be His feet.

The global humanitarian agency ADRA...

The Adventist Development
and Relief Agency ADRA...

And now the organization
has people in and around Ukraine

helping the hundreds
of thousands of people fleeing...

Groups here at home
are getting involved as well...

But a Maryland aid group
is going much farther,

5,000 miles farther
to provide direct help...

It's already providing shelter
to refugees in youth centers

and church buildings...

ADRA volunteers
crossed the border themselves

into Ukraine.

This convoy carrying supplies...

When they said like, "Don't worry,
you can feel at home here,

and we will help you

because we are your brothers
and sisters in God."

They just supported us,
and that meant so much.

"I was hungry

and you gave me something to eat.

I was thirsty

and you gave me something to drink.

I was a stranger and you invited me in.

I needed clothes and you clothed me.

I was sick and you looked after me.

I was in prison and you came to visit me."