Easter Update: Home Assignment & Ukraine Response

Hristos a înviat! Christ is risen!

Today is Easter Sunday in Romania and other predominantly Eastern Orthodox countries. A few minutes before midnight, I joined hundreds of other believers outside one of the Orthodox churches in town. As the church bells rang at midnight, the light of Christ  began to be shared from person to person, until each person's candle was lit. As the priest called out, "Christ is risen!" the crowd responded with the most basic Christian affirmation: "Truly He is risen!"

This is my second Easter celebration this year. Last Sunday, I concluded my 6 weeks of home assignment in the US by celebrating the resurrection with my family at my home church in Pennsylvania before returning to Romania on Monday.

While I was in the US, I enjoyed reconnecting with friends and supporters, who once again have been so generous in supporting me as I continue to serve in Romania. If I didn't get to see you this time, you can click here to watch the video of the message I shared at my home church at the beginning of March.

Welcoming Ukrainian Refugees

When the war in Ukraine began, Nazarenes in Romania quickly mobilized to welcome Ukrainians fleeing into Romania. Since the end of February, our church in Bucharest has been hosting up to 50 refugees a night. In fact, they transformed the church sanctuary into a bedroom for Ukrainian mothers and their children. For Sunday services, they've been meeting off-site and virtually for nearly two months. 

We are now looking at long-term options for assisting Ukrainians who will be settling in Romania. We plan to house Ukrainian families in half a dozen locations, including 2 locations here in Sighisoara. 

If you'd like to contribute to these efforts, you can donate to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries: ncm.org/ukraine 

For more information about how NCM is responding to the crisis in Ukraine, visit ncm.org/ukraine-crisis.

Here's a look at 4 of the locations where we're currently housing Ukrainians:

Thank you for your continued prayers as these plans take shape. 

Jonathan