Church of God Orphanage Suffers Insurgent Attack
The Sails of Hope orphanage of the Church of God in Slavyansk, Ukraine, was shelled yesterday when pro-Russian separatists took up positions on the property and fired at Ukrainian troops, drawing return fire that seriously damaged the buildings. Anticipating the possibility of violence, administrators had evacuated the children last week to another city.
Shattered windows of the Hope Orphanage
Sails of Hope is one of five orphanages administered by the Ukrainian church. It is supported from the United States by Serving Orphans Worldwide (SOW), a sister agency to Church of God World Missions that assists 43 homes for children in 27 countries.
Richard Baker, chief operating office of SOW, forwarded photographs showing broken windows, the destroyed roof, and significant damage to walls.
According to newspaper reports, five people were killed in yesterday’s violence.
Slavyansk, a city of about 125,000, is headquarters for the Church of God in Ukraine. Friends of the church are urged to pray for the situation in the nation.
