RMCNews with Miloš Tomić – L’viv, Ukraine … Arvada Adventist Church members, concerned about the people of Ukraine, asked their associate pastor Miloš and his wife Jasmina to visit Ukraine. One week ago, they did, aiming to discover how they can help the people of Ukraine during the invasion and war with Russia.

After spending the night in L’viv and returning to Poland on a bus full of refugees, they returned to Denver with many heartbreaking stories.

“Listening to air raid sirens and hearing explosions in the distance was terrifying, but for those people [living there] that is a daily reality. Lack of food, medicines, and homes is nothing compared to their loss of hope. That’s why God called us,” Miloš said.

ADRA sponsored the bus which has been commuting almost daily between Poland and Ukraine since the war started. It is used to transport aid to Ukraine and then return with refugees seeking help and shelter. In Poland, churches have been converted into reception centers and many church members have opened their hearts and their homes for the refugees.

“War knows no victors. Everybody loses,” Miloš reflected, with “millions of people displaced, many of them having nothing left to go back to, their whole life packed in a couple of plastic bags. Being southern European and having witnessed the destruction of war in our past ourselves, we understand what these people are going through. And we understand what they need.”

Arvada Adventist church is aiming to fill up a freight container with food, medications, toiletries, and other necessities and ship it to Poland to assist in the largest refugee crisis since World War II.

“We are of different descent, speaking different languages, but the same God calls us to act, to help those suffering people and ease their pain,” said Miloš.

Jesus and his family were refugees at one point, Milos noted, and if it wasn’t for the three wise men, their life would have held much more suffering.

If you would like to participate by donating items to help the Ukraine refugees, please email [email protected]

— RMCNews with Milos Tomic; photos supplied

Editor’s note:  Several RMC churches have sent funds directly to Poland and Romania to assist with immediate needs.