Give to Ukraine
Churches who want to give to help the people of Ukraine are encouraged to send their gifts to the Mid-South Baptist Association for matching dollars up to $25,000. The donations will be accepted and presented up until the end of July 2022.
Pray and Relocate
Please Pray – I’m writing a quick note to let you know about an exciting opportunity for us to assist three Ukrainian families right now, in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse.
To assist them, we need three families or individuals to assist in a very specific way.
Please ask the Lord to provide three of you, or three of your friends who would be the “official sponsor family.” That sounds daunting, but, in fact, Refugee Memphis is providing the logistical support (housing, ESL, vaccinations, legal services, translation), with the financial backing of Samaritan’s Purse ($3000/Ukrainian) to get them settled and into a job.
In order for Ukrainian families to be relocated to the USA, there is a plan called Uniting for Ukraine. On April 25th, the Biden Administration formalized a pathway for Ukrainians to come the United States. The plan requires U.S.-based individuals to sponsor and support Ukrainians. The sponsor will be reviewed by the U.S. government to ensure they are financially stable.
These sponsors will complete an I-134 for each family member and file this form with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The I-134 requires the sponsor to name the Ukrainian beneficiary at the time of submission. This is the primary pathway for Ukrainians who want to come to the United States.
We actually have three families that could come to Memphis within days, if we can find three US citizens willing to complete the I-134 form with the Ukrainian family’s name that we provide.
Here are two resources to learn more about Uniting for Ukraine:
These are the 3 families that are looking to be resettled in Memphis and would be ecstatic to be sponsored and entered into our community.
- Family of 3: Mom(41), Daughter(19), Son(12). Would need a 3 bedroom. Husband is required to stay in Ukraine for now, but would be reunited at some point. Family is currently in Ukraine as well. Daughter speaks English. Son studies English and Spanish.
- Family of 4: Dad(35), Mom(33), Daughter(8), Son (4). Whole family is currently in Germany. Father speaks beginners English.
- Family of 3: Dad(36), Mom(35), Daughter(9). Whole family is currently in France. Father speaks fluent English and no translator necessary.
In addition we need churches and small groups to serve as Good Samaritan Teams, offering friendship and encouragement. As you learn more about this program and determine your church’s interest, let me know if you would prayerfully consider being a “Sponsor” and if your company or your church is interested in sponsoring through Uniting for Ukraine and we will take the next steps with you. We have all seen how desperate the situation is in Ukraine. Please pray about partnering with us to serve them.
Blessings,
Mark Morris