Revd Cezi Glendenning from Croatia, shares a powerful story of how their church – made up of many who have previously fled from war or persecution – have been responding to what is now happening in Ukraine:

The Church of the Nazarene in Zagreb knows the pain of fleeing ‘home’ because of oppression , unjust systems and violence. Most of our people come from the Middle East who either fled war and/or persecution. The images we all are watching cut deeper among our people, bringing to life fresh traumas and horrors they have lived in the recent past. However, this has not paralyzed us. On the contrary, in times of hopelessness and powerlessness, we know where to turn to – we turn to God.

A few Sundays ago, we organized a Lament Service lifting our voices to God with tears and desperation for our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. As many of us did not have the right words, so we turned to the Psalms, joining the cry of humanity who have chanted these same Scriptures in the most horrifying moments of history. We cried, we screamed in silence, we prayed, we stood still at the throne of God pleading for his forgiveness, mercy, and hope.

At this same service, our people shared their little income to support the work of NCM as they help with refugees throughout Europe. This was one of the highest offerings we have had. One refugee from Syria said: “It is our time to return the help that was given to us six years ago when we moved to Europe.” She has been looking for opportunities to help with the refugees in Croatia. Another refugee from Iran, who is still at the refugee camp, waiting for almost two years for asylum, said that he has told the managers of the refugee camp that he can sleep on the floor in the hallways of the refugee camp if they ever need more rooms for families.

Our team has been working through different scenarios in order to be helpful during this crisis. We are working with the local authorities and major organizations to offer any help that is needed.

We do not want to romanticize these moments, and we know these are small actions, but we celebrate them. They are like the small mustard seed planted in garden of the Kingdom of God, growing fast to make a refuge for all of those who need one. Our service did not end in desperation, but with a sense of hope, that God will come to rescue and will have mercy on all of us.

You can also support the work of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries at ncm.org/Ukraine