WARM HUGS FROM HOLY STITCHES

On August 28th, our mission partner from Quo Vadis Institute, Dr. Andrzej Turkanik, visited First Pres to share the harrowing stories from the people of Ukraine. Dr. Turkanik has been instrumental in bringing supplies and refuge to the Ukrainian people while under Russian attack. His stories and photos brought the realities of the current crisis to the forefront where we learned of Ukranians seeking safety and their dire need for shelter and warmth as the winter months loomed.

Covenant Partners, Walt and Cindy Chambers, heard Dr. Turkanik’s heartbreaking accounts and were moved to action. Cindy, the founder and leader of our Holy Stitches prayer shawl ministry, felt God’s tug on her heart to send warmth and comfort to our Ukrainian friends using her gifts and passions to ignite a Missional outpouring of love from Central Florida. Jumping into action, Cindy wouldn’t rest until her nudge from God was completed.

The ladies of Holy Stitches immediately began crocheting prayer shawls for Ukraine while Cindy tracked down other prayer shawl ministries at First Baptist and St. Stephens Lutheran Church to multiply the number of shawls sewn before winter peaked. The ladies worked tirelessly to create each shawl with love and tender care for the Ukrainian people. Packaged with a cross and written prayer, every shawl was dedicated and sent with loving compassion for our friends overseas. Altogether, nearly 100 shawls were shipped to Dr. Turkanik in Poland for personal transport over the Ukrainian border.

We don’t yet know the end of this story, but we know that God is on the move – drawing near to the people of Ukraine in love and assurance through prayer shawls and other Missional acts of His saints worldwide. We’re eager to see His glory revealed through heart transformation, peace and restoration for our Ukrainian friends. Until we learn more, we are honored to send warm hugs and prayers to the hurting people of Ukraine through Holy Stitches prayer shawls. To God be the glory!

Learn more about Holy Stitches and get involved: