One church in Ukraine has found a creative way to save lives — sewing bulletproof vests for soldiers.
A Baptist leader in the war-torn country got the idea as he was praying about what could be done for the war effort, said Rob Jackson, president of Romanian-American Mission.
“So many people they know and love were being killed,” Jackson lamented. “There’s a shortage of equipment, and the military doesn’t have vests.”
So church members who can sew began stitching vests together using fabric with NATO and Polish military camouflage patterns. So far they’ve made about 800 at a cost of $200 per vest.
Each includes a Gideon New Testament in the Ukrainian language in the front pocket.
Answer to prayer
“The Ukrainian army will send the church a request for vests, and after the vests are given out, the army will send the church the name of the person who is wearing each vest so they can pray for them,” said Jackson, who met with church leaders during a trip to the country in early July.
The project is led by a man who ran a thriving florist business but felt compelled when the war started to step down from his job and focus on making the vests. He depends solely on God to provide the money he needs to live on.
While Jackson was there, he provided some funds donated by Spring Hill Baptist Church in Mobile.
“He cried and said, ‘This is an answer to prayer. I was out of money and every time I am, God provides,’” Jackson related.
The vests are one of a number of creative ways churches in Ukraine and surrounding countries have tried to preserve life and help the hurting. One church continues to meet in an unfinished building because it gave all its building fund money to care for refugees. Others have taken refugees into their churches and homes.
“Each church is doing what it can,” Jackson said.
For more on Jackson’s visit to Ukraine and other eastern European nations, click here.
Donations may be sent to: RAM, 1950 Leestown Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 (100% of money donated goes to the effort).
