Home Christian News ‘Very Chaotic’ for Perhaps 180,000 ‘Traumatized’ Orphans in Ukraine

‘Very Chaotic’ for Perhaps 180,000 ‘Traumatized’ Orphans in Ukraine

“Just the shear strain of people picking up and moving, the response that’s needed on the ground in the places people have fled to, and then I think the other thing is just the uncertainty,” Morton said. “They don’t know where the attacks are going to come. … Immediately they need food, clothing and shelter, but beyond that, they’re very much craving stability.”

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Lifeline began its ministry in Ukraine as an international adoption agency, but expanded it to include orphan care because of the unique orphan population there. The ministry is particularly dear to Morton, as he is the adoptive father to three Ukrainian children, now adults.

“I think we need to anticipate that the effects of this war are going to continue for a long time. There are going to be a lot of kids that are going to need safety and security and stability and they need churches, they need the body of Christ to rise up to help them meet those needs,” Morton said. “And we know that the true hope of Ukraine is not the end to the conflict. The true hope of Ukraine is the Gospel, and it’s Jesus. And so we’re both praying and actively working to bring the Gospel to bear in the lives of vulnerable children and as we’re trying to help them experience safety and security right here and right now.”

Morton encourages Southern Baptists to pray for Ukrainian churches and pastors who are remaining at their posts there, to give financially through reputable ministries including Send Relief and Lifeline, and to advocate for the U.S. government to aid the people of Ukraine.

“Ukraine’s like a second home to us,” he said of his family. “This has been a hugely challenging time for our family just because if we’re watching these things on television, these are people that we know and places that we’ve been, and are tied up in memories with just dear friends who, many of them, are still on the ground and serving and faithfully trying to walk out ministry to people who are in great need now, both great physical need but also in need of Christ.”

This article originally appeared at Baptist Press.