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First Ukrainian refugees arrive in Romania – plus an update

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Yesterday we hosted these 3 Ukrainian ladies in the picture, together with their children (in red, on the right, my wife Dana). Mrs Valentina and her daughters left Kiev by car 5 days ago. Only one of them a driver. It was the first time ever to drive outside of Kiev. Now she has to drive for almost 1,500 km (1,000 miles), in several countries.
 
When they crossed the border to Moldova, they had no place to stay overnight. But they were approached by a Cru staff who helped them and hosted them. This staff later contacted us in Romania and asked us if we could help.
 
While driving in Romania, their car got lost when they had about 50 km to our city. When they stopped the car, some local people approached them. They gave them a mobile phone, to call us, they encouraged them and gave them food to eat on their way.
 
When they arrived at our place, we offered them dinner and spent some time with them. They look so tired! They told us how worried they were because of the bombings in their city. Some places they knew well may not exist anymore.
 
Mrs Valentina mentioned she was not religious until now, but now she sees so clearly how God manifested His goodness on their behalf. She added that since they left their home, she feels like God gave them a guardian angel, who accompanies their steps.
Though they were willing to sleep even on a floor, we managed to arrange a nice house for them to stay overnight. For free. God is always surprising.
 
When we left, I asked permission to pray for God’s protection on them. They were very thankful. In the midst of such dramatic events, I saw His hand. I believe He has a plan for these women. He
protected them from accidents. He helped them meet a Cru staff in Moldova who had International contacts. It is no coincidence
that they came in contact with 3 evangelical families. It is not an accident that they felt loved and protected. God had to take them out of their country so that they would hear the Gospel, and had, for the first time in their lives, someone pray for them.
 
Maybe their travel is not just physical, but also spiritual. Let us pray that they will finally believe in God, who provided for them all along their way.
 
Please continue to pray for us. Today, someone called my wife and told her about a group of 60 Ukrainian children hosted at a camp, 100 km from our city. They are probably orphans. We were asked if we can help and provide for them clothes, toys, diapers, food, toiletries, money etc. In the next few weeks, we will probably have many more requests.
 
Please continue to uplift in prayer the requests we mentioned yesterday. We will keep you updated about what God is doing through us in this ministry.
 
Thank you again for your love and prayers.
 
Florin and Dana
 
AN UPDATE – 8 MARCH
 
Thank you and we appreciate all your support so far! God reward We as a church have started hosting refugees, for the first time they are accommodated in the families in the church who have extra space but we have also prepared our camp center in Belis to accommodate in the future even more people in need. In addition to accommodation, we are looking for everything they need from clothing, food and medicine. We had a special program in the church which all the service and prayer time was translated into Ukrainian.

“Written in Red” – a song for Easter. If you’ve signed up for our choir you can download and then record your part via this Dropbox link.

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The videos for recording the singers are now available on https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5htuvytzn3m109v/AABv7wFEugMIVrA-yQHrHYZZa?dl=0
 
After recording, upload your video to
 

The preparations for an Easter choir song are progressing.  While the plan was for a virtual choir, several people have suggested we go live, which is also a possibility.  The song we’ll do is called ‘Written in Red’, a very evocative piece and relatively straightforward.  Our version is on YouTube performed by Emmanuel Baptist Church at https://youtu.be/OkWt07-3zn4

Anyone who would like to take part is welcome.  Previous experience is not necessary. Although it may seem complicated, we can sort out anything you may not be sure of.  To get started, there are files in a Dropbox at

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/qiibasp80hfvlng/AAAUH4EXGGoipFS5Y2bYLJbta?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n7wwhj7n1z3be31/AAAl9PHgrE8J2iCGJQdycEZja?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0qvcbaw42wfjcgi/Written%20in%20Red%20Lyrics.docx?dl=0

These include the lyrics and a rehearsal track for soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.  I’ve also included a score for each part if you read music.  However, this is not timed with what other people are doing.  Later, there will be a guide video with instructions for you to sing along to while recording yourself.

If you’re interested, please email (mbaczkow@gmail.com) or text/ WhatsApp on 0777 852 3594, to give me an idea of the numbers.

An urgent appeal for help as our friends in Romania prepare to support a wave of Ukrainian refugees

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AN APPEAL TO MBC TO HELP UKRAINIAN REFUGEES ARRIVING IN ROMANIA – THERE’S NO TARGET FIGURE, PLEASE JUST GIVE AS MUCH OR AS LITTLE AS YOU CAN.

We have all been shocked by events over the last week in Ukraine. We have received the newsletter below from Florin Fodor who is in full time Christian work with Campus Crusade ministry to university students and is an elder at Manastur Baptist Church in Cluj. We have also heard that in the Hungarian speaking village of Cserefalva a guest house is being prepared to house refugees.

There will no doubt be opportunities over the coming weeks / months for us to provide help to refugees from Ukraine, not least when people start arriving in the UK. However with our longstanding partnership with churches in Romania which is in the ‘front line’ for receiving the refugees, we thought that we at MBC should send some money to help them provide assistance.

If you would like to make a contribution please put a donation – cash or cheque made payable to Moortown Baptist Church in an envelope marked “Ukraine Refugees” and leave it at church by Monday morning 14th March.

Thank you

If you would like to gift aid your donation (which means that if you are a tax payer HMRC adds 25%) please provide your full name, the date you are making it, the amount and your postcode. Or, alternately if you already have a BACS arrangement set up for your giving you can always make a donation that way. However, again to make certain we know exactly where you want it go please use the reference Ukraine refugees.  _____________________________________________

Dear friends and supporters,

We cannot believe what has happened in Eastern Europe in the past week. Russia’s attacks on Ukraine resulted in thousands dead people, hundreds of thousands refugees and international turmoil. Some of us are afraid other countries such as Moldova may be the next target for Putin. Romania, as a NATO country does not worry for now, but you never know what tomorrow will bring.

In the last week, more than 100,000 Ukrainian refugees have crossed the border to Romania. Many more others are expected to arrive, as the development of the military situation gets worse each day. Some will remain here; others will go further to the West.

Honestly, we were amazed seeing the generous reaction of the Romanians towards the refugees. The borders are full with people eager to help with food, drinks, translation, transportation and other needed resources.

Our local church (First Baptist in Cluj) already received a first group of mothers and children. Church members are hosting them, feeding them, providing care for them. Our family is part of the support team. In the next 2 weeks, we expect to take care of at least 150 more people.

Also, Campus Crusade is in close contact with our staff in Ukraine and Moldova and offered to help as many refugees as needed. Several rooms at our national office in Bucharest were set available for hosting these desperate mothers and children.

Refugees need food, medicines, toiletries, clothes, transportation, money, emotional support etc. In cooperation with other people and organizations, we are doing our best to help.

Dear friends, if you are turning your TVs and you are only getting bad news and reports from this part of the world, please also be aware that God is using His children to show compassion to their neighbour. We do not know why He allowed this to happen and neither do we know the future, but we are committed to live faithfully to His calling today.

So, please join us in prayer for:

– Peace in Ukraine. No more bloodshed. Wisdom for political leaders involved. No war extension in other countries.

– Protection of the Ukrainian refugees. Many families are separated, as the fathers are mobilized to fight.

– Hearts of the people from Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Moldova to be opened to receive the Gospel. In times like this, people turn their eyes to God.

– Raising necessary resources, to be able to help as much as we can the refugees.

Apart from prayer, if you are in a position to give, please consider supporting our efforts for the Ukrainian refugees.

Thank you very much.

Florin and Dana Fodor

Q). When a local primary school needs new governors, where do they turn? A). MBC

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Right now ACE – that’s Allerton Church of England Primary School is seeking to recruit some new governors. And looking back in time, and realising how obliging we all are it made sense to school head Helen Stott and chair of governors Anna Ladd to turn to MBC for help. 

The school pre Covid had five of our members going in at least once a week to sit alongside and help some of its seven hundred plus pupils with reading, maths and even leading assemblies. On top of that there are some brilliant trips – Ilkley Literary Festival, The Deep in Hull, the Royal Shakespeare theatre in Stratford, Harlow Carr etc. etc. which over the years many of us have been on. 

Sadly Covid put a halt to all that and currently there’s only John Sherbourne left on the books who serving as a co-opted governor on the main board also looks after some KS2 Assemblies sits on the welfare team and also handles complaints.

Geographically ACE is actually the nearest Primary school to MBC sitting immediately behind the King Lane Park and Ride on Lingfield Approach, and with us turning our minds to our VISION I just wondered if this appeal might not be a reminder (i.e. a prompt from God) that we need to focus our minds beyond our doors and be a church that in terms of community involvement rolls up its sleeves and gets stuck in. 

You can find out much about ACE in general (including joining in a guided online tour) by visiting the school website www.allertonceprimary.com or for a more focussed view of the work of a governor at www.allertonceprimary.com/governors/

Alternatively email Anna direct (anna.ladd@allertonceprimary.com) and set up a meeting.   

Lent 2022 – look, listen and act

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Please take a look/listen to what the Church Of England is doing over Lent, exploring the theme of Embracing Justice.
 
Some great material in there for adults and children alike.
 
Please take a look/listen to what the Church Of England is doing over Lent, exploring the theme of Embracing Justice.
 
Some great material in there for adults and children alike.
 

Straining at the oars – Jane Coates

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Directly after this, Jesus made his disciples get aboard the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake, while he himself sent the crowds home. And when he had sent them all on their way, he went off to the hillside to pray. When it grew late, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was by himself on land. He saw them straining at the oars, for the wind was dead against them. And in the small hours he went towards them, walking on the waters of the lake, intending to come alongside them. But when they saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost, and screamed out. For they all saw him, and they were absolutely terrified. But Jesus at once spoke quietly to them, “It’s all right, it is I myself; don’t be afraid!” And he climbed aboard the boat with them, and the wind dropped. But they were scared out of their wits. They had not had the sense to learn the lesson of the loaves. Even that miracle had not opened their eyes to see who he was. Mark 6 v 45-52 

After the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus instructed the disciples to make the return journey of about six miles, back by boat, from Bethsaida to Capernaum. But the weather turned against them. These hardy sailors were struggling against fierce wind and storm, were now in the middle of the lake, were in serious trouble, and making no progress. They were straining at the oars, fighting against a direct head wind, but making no advance. It would be a terrifying situation, rowing like crazy in the pitch black, making no headway or progress. Their muscles would strain and ache with the monumental effort of pulling on the oars. 

From high up on the hillside, Jesus saw their struggles. He saw and came down to them, walking on the water. Jesus spoke peace to them.” I Am “is here. Do not fear. Jesus climbed on to the boat with them and the wind dropped. 

We are often in situations where we feel that we are not making any headway. We are working impossibly hard, ‘straining at the oars’ and getting no further forward. We are up against it! We are fighting against the current and the tide. It may be that we need to lay down our oars. But as Jesus did with the disciples, Jesus sees our struggle, Jesus comes alongside, Jesus speaks quietly to us with words of peace and encouragement, and Jesus gets on board. Jesus may not come straight away, and He may turn up in surprising and unexpected ways- but He will come. It would be lovely if there were calm waters all the time, but this is not our reality. Be prepared for the storms, for they will surely come. 

God’s wisdom is so deep, God’s power so immense,
    who could take him on and come out in one piece?
He moves mountains before they know what’s happened,
    flips them on their heads on a whim.
He gives the earth a good shaking up,
    rocks it down to its very foundations.
He tells the sun, ‘Don’t shine,’ and it doesn’t;
    he pulls the blinds on the stars.
All by himself he stretches out the heavens
    and strides on the waves of the sea.
He designed the Big Dipper and Orion,
    the Pleiades and Alpha Centauri.
We’ll never comprehend all the great things he does;
    his miracle-surprises can’t be counted.
Somehow, though he moves right in front of me, I don’t see him;
    quietly but surely he’s active, and I miss it. Job 9 

PRAY 

In our world, we are often straining against the world’s ways, culture and trends. Many things are against us. Jesus, come alongside and come on board. We need your peace and presence. 

There are things that we cannot understand, and which are too painful to watch- the war in Ukraine, the suffering in your world. But You see and we ask you to come near. 

Sometimes our struggles and hardships may be of our own making. We need to put down our oars. 

Sometimes our projects and missions are not the ones that you intend for us. We need to put down our oars. 

Sometimes life is just a struggle, we are  ‘up against’ it all of the time and we are straining at the oars. Help us to let go of the controls.  

Open our eyes to who you are. Amen 

In quavering faith, we act with hope against hope.  By Haddon Willmer

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Today, 28 February, sees a welcome but risky scaling down of Covid restrictions, while the shame of vaccine inequity remains.  A high income country vaccinates 70% of its people by increasing health care spending by 0.8%, while a low income country faces a 56.6% raise – and still we put arms of self-pity around ourselves.  (Global Dashboard for vaccine equity.)

Just about now, emails arrive telling us domestic fuel will be more expensive from 4 April – 50% will be manageable for some, devastating for many. 

Tomorrow, the latest climate report (Climate crisis | The Guardian) will appear, more urgent than ever.  But it is likely to be hidden from view by murderous carbonizing war.  

By the time you read this, things may be far worse for Ukraine, for its people, and for all of us, including the Russian people.  Putin blows a nuclear cloud over the earth.  May I talk about anything else in a situation which has turned a comedian into an inspiring fighting president?  

Let me borrow from Josep Borrell in the Guardian: 

With this war on Ukraine, the world will never be the same again. It is now, more than ever, the time for societies and alliances to come together to build our future on trust, justice and freedom. It is the moment to stand up and to speak out. Might does not make right. Never did. Never will. 

Let me listen again to Sunday worship from St Martin in the Fields (Sunday Worship – A prayer for Ukraine – BBC Sounds).  

Orthodox Biship Ihor of Kharkiv was quoted:  

“We must always remain Christians—calm, thoughtful, responsible, sensitive to the needs of others, capable of analyzing information and of clearly discerning one’s place and one’s calling in the endless struggle between good and evil.” 

Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski said,

‘We do not understand the way of the Lord, but we trust in the promise that Jesus has left us, a road that is not paved with roses, but involves hardship and challenges. He told us that “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.” Our Lord did not run from His Calvary…. We continue to pray for peace, but we must also pray for victory–not only a military victory, but especially a spiritual victory. Ironically, Russia will only be saved if President Putin is defeated. We pray for our enemies, that they be enlightened by the truth of the Gospel, that their eyes are opened to the horror they have inflicted and continue to inflict.’

And with our enemies, we pray for ourselves, for we all, in some way and another fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23).  And in quavering faith, we act with hope against hope. 

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