TeachBeyond Members and the Events in Ukraine

Like many of you, TeachBeyond has been closely following the events currently unfolding in Ukraine. While education is the main tool we use to reach new communities and to spread the Gospel, the military conflict and refugee crisis have presented new and unexpected challenges for people throughout the region, including our own members. We are called to respond to crises by being “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We must recognize and respond to humanitarian needs as well as educational missions. We already have missionaries who are serving in and around the conflict in Ukraine, and we’d like to briefly highlight the perspectives and challenges of members in the region.

In Ukraine, TeachBeyond members are adjusting to the rapid changes that have overtaken their country. When asked to describe what life has been like for the people in their community, they said the two most common words were “terror” and “grief.” While their city has still been safe from any of the violence happening further East, they have been dealing with a lot of the same crises. Refugees go through their city daily. As many of the men stay behind, there is the difficulty of living as refugees in addition to the separation of families. They say that even if the fighting ended today, they would be dealing with the psychological and emotional damage for years. But despite the danger and the chaos, these members have decided to stay. One says that it is his desire to share his faith in God with people, and he has felt called to stay, even as things have become difficult. Another says they didn’t grow up in a Christian home and got to know Christ through the work of missionaries, and that they can’t imagine leaving teenage students at their school; during this crisis they have been acting as a teacher, a parent, a counselor, a cook, and a friend. The students and their families are going through a lot, and it’s a blessing that these members can support the students at this moment.

In Belarus, another member says that the first feeling was shock, and then fear. While Belarussians are not actively involved in the conflict, many believe that it is only a matter of time. This member says that many members of their community are starting to flee in fear of a coming war. The economic sanctions that have been placed upon Russia have been affecting them as well, and they feel stuck between both the Russian influence and the western sanctions. While there is fear and anger, this member is reminded that Jesus is still here and that he gives them hope. She says, for her, the Bible has never felt so alive as it has over the past several weeks, and that the people of her church are eager to pray, to study the gospel, to fast, and to worship. Many expats and missionaries have been forced to leave the country, and the result has been a lot more work and challenge for the Belarussian churches, pastors, and missionaries who remain. Christian education is more expensive in their country, and it’s difficult to imagine what that will look like with the economic sanctions. They say that they are praying for peace and safety and asks that there be prayer for Russians and Belarusians, as well.

In Moldova, another member who is integrated into a local church says they could hear bombs exploding on the Ukranian side of the border. This member said taxis from Ukraine were charging extra to those looking for safe transportation, so this member and their church started using their personal vehicles to transport people for free. After the initial days of the conflict, this member has been working to provide people at the border with food, shelter, and SIM cards so Ukrainians could call family and access the internet. The people of this member’s community have opened their homes, and they have been having daily prayer for Ukraine and Russia. This member shared that their church has started preaching in Russian because they have had so many new visitors.

Though there is a lot of pain and uncertainty in the world right now, God has been preparing TeachBeyond for a moment such as this. Our Open Schools Worldwide Mission has been committed to responding to the educational needs of children who are shut out of the traditional school system or are at risk of educational failure for reasons beyond their control. Beyond Borders provides people, programs, education and resources to better meet the needs of displaced students and communities. During the Covid pandemic, many of our teachers have gained experience teaching remotely, and as a result they are able to keep up with students—both those who have been displaced, or even students at Russian schools that some teachers are not currently able to access. We are geared to respond as missionaries in all types of educational environments, even in places where the population is shifting every day, even when safety is not something that can be taken for granted.

While TeachBeyond has members on the ground in and around the events of Ukraine, there are still things that we can do to help and support these missionaries. TeachBeyond has started the Inside Ukraine Relief Fund, which directly supports TeachBeyond ministries in the country. They have also started the War Refugee Assistance Fund, which will be used to support TeachBeyond projects and members in Europe who are providing critical assistance to refugees outside of Ukraine. These funds will best help us work with our members already in these areas to best help the student populations in the region during this conflict.