Quarantine limitations are finally being loosened in Sumy, Ukraine, resuming urban, suburban, and intra-regional transportation, and allowing churches to reopen. This allowed Andrew & Luba Bulyhin‘s Sumy International Church Plant to hold its first service this Sunday after many weeks of closure due to COVID-19. Masks were required, and there was an age limit of 12-60 to protect those vulnerable. Eight people attended the service, which combined worship with group fellowship. Andrew, Luba, and the international students they disciple and minister to are excited to continue worship services and gather weekly while adhering to safe social distancing practices.
Andrew and Luba’s ministry to medical workers with HelpDoctorSumy has continued since our last update, and this week Andrew and Luba had the opportunity to have coffee with the volunteers they serve with, who are all unreached with the Gospel. Through this time of fellowship, Andrew was able to share Matthew 6:1-4. “These people have good hearts. They are good people. When they accept Christ, they will never occupy the back pews of the church. Pray for these folks,” Andrew said. 70 medical workers also received the Word of God through Andrew’s sharing while Andrew and other volunteers transported them to the hospitals.
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
– Matthew 6:1-4
Andrew and Luba ask for your prayers for all of the medical workers they are reaching with Gospel through their service, and for the volunteers they serve with through HelpDoctorSumy. Pray that they come to know Christ, and that God would protect them through these tumultuous times. Andrew and Luba also ask that you lift up the international students that attend the Sumy International Church Plant, as they begin taking exams this week, and have struggled to prepare as most of their classes have been online.
