No Child Left Behind!

August 2026

Dear friends, I hope you are doing well! While the war in the Middle East continues to consume the headlines, the Ukraine war is being downplayed by our national media, but absolutely NOTHING has changed in this Ukraine war whatsoever. Sadly, about 2,000 men are still perishing every day. While both wars are tragic and horrific, please don’t forget to pray for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, even if the media has lost its urgency in reporting about our war.   

Concerning our ministry, the children’s programs continue with every one of our partnering churches. It is the most joyful time of the year for the children, outside of Christmas. This is also the time when many of the kid’s hear about Jesus and make a commitments to Christ.

I mentioned in last month’s letter that I would continue to report on pastor Vlad Kalin’s ministry to children - because we heavily concentrate on supporting his efforts to reach children the most. But next month, I will also report on one or two more churches and their outreach to children too. I was planning on providing you with an update on pastor Sasha’s church repairs, but I am going to delay that update for another month or two. Our friends in Ukraine need encouragement, so please pray for them.  Here is the second half of pastor Vlad Kalin’s update:

“Dear friends, since the beginning of this war, our children's outreach ministry has traveled and served children in the following towns and villages: Izyum, Valki, Krasnokutsk, Yeskhar, Balakleya, Beskvitnoye, Baranovka, Gusarovka, Budy, Olshany, Krasnograd, Chuguev, Vedenka, Yuzhny, Sanzhary, Monchanivka, and Svitanok, just to name a few locations.

The number of children we serve varies at each location – it can be as low as 10 children and as many as 250 kids at any given time. We always give our full effort for Christ and travel as far as necessary, no matter the quantity of children (even several hours in each direction). We want to make sure that we do our best, so that EVERY child has the opportunity to know they are special, loved, and cared for by us and by our Lord Jesus Christ.

Last year we engaged in 22 different outreaches to children and we project it to be about the same this year. By our best estimate, Slavic Christian Ministries has helped us reach over 2,200 children with the gospel message during these events. Not only do we share the Good News of Jesus, but we make sure they understand that God loves them, forgives them through repentance and turning to Jesus and that he wants to be his/her friend. Of course, we also make it fun for the kids with games, competitions, a mobile puppet theater, and share candy, food, and hygiene product.  We also provide families with financial assistance and distribute medication as needed. All of this is absolutely necessary for each family.

The village of Monchanivka was very difficult for us to reach, because the road was heavily damaged by the war. It is very close to the front line. There were not many children here, but due to the danger of the situation, we held our outreach in the basement of a damaged school for everyone’s protection. Despite the scary surroundings, the children were very happy, playing, and enjoyed forgetting the horrors of war for a short period of time.

In many remote regions, like this one, families with children have a difficult time with social interaction and the psychological ramifications have been immense. Our main goal is to love them and give them hope through Christ. Unfortunately, many of these kids will have to live with horrific memories their entire lives and don’t have the opportunity to experience a normal childhood. Because of Slavic Christian Ministries’ help, we  are helping bring the love of God to many people, so thank you to everyone in America who helps us keep serving in a dire situation!

As opportunities allow, we will travel to frontline villages and into the middle of the war zone. Sadly, some of the people we met last year are no longer alive – the war has taken their lives. Please share with everyone to not give up praying for us and especially the elderly and the children in these outlining areas. Thank everyone who gives so sacrificially, we really appreciate it!” – Pastor Vlad

Dear friends, thank you for helping us so much; we try our very best to steward your gift to ministries like pastor Vlad’s that are really working hard for God’s kingdom. On another note, our support is beginning to drop off, so if you would ever be willing to have me to visit your church or small group, please let me know, because I would love to share with others and increase awareness of the needs in Ukraine.

Would you be willing to help me in this way? If so, please send me a quick message and I will follow up with you. God bless you and thank you!

In Jesus’ love,

Ron