Posted on October 4, 2024 Summer 2024 Ministry Update

Kristy Engel

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Summer 2024

Kristy Engel – Global Consultant for Health

“Empowering communities to transform health and wellness.”

What’s happening these days?

What a busy summer it has been already!
I returned from Ukraine in late June and went directly to the IN/KY ABW Summer conference in Franklin, IN and then on to Columbus, IN to preach at First Baptist Columbus.
After a few days of rest, I was off to Denver for the All Staff Gathering (ASG) that happens once every 10 years! All of our Global Servants (missionaries) and staff with International Ministries come together to share, learn, and reconnect. The photo is of one attendant who just loved saying hello to Mia every day.
After the ASG, I flew to North Dakota to perform the committal service for my uncle who died in April. My siblings were there, too, and we also worked on some estate things as I’m co-executor of his estate.

If you’d like to see a recent video of the ministry in Ukraine, please click the button below:

Ukraine ministry video

Ministry Moment

Tanya and Vitaly: The cost of war

I don’t believe anyone thinks war is without pain and suffering. Even when you believe in the reasons for war, people will die and be injured. There is horrible loss and decades of trauma in every war.
War in Ukraine is no different.

My friend and colleague, Tanya, who has been working tirelessly to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) since the beginning of the invasion, lost her brother (Vitaly) on the frontlines, in early June. Vitaly had left a good job in Germany to help fight for Ukraine. By the end of May 2024, after two years on the frontlines, he called Tanya to say he had lost his faith because he couldn’t believe there was a God with all of the horrors he saw on a daily basis. Tanya was heartbroken when only two weeks later, her brother was killed.

Tanya and her husband, Tony, minister in a Roma community when they aren’t helping IDP’s. Tanya also recently graduated a psychosocial support training program in Lviv. She was at her graduation when she received the news about her brother. Then, less than 48 hours later, she was in church, leading the Roma congregation in worship songs during their regular Sunday service. She sang with eyes closed and face raised to the heavens…clearly worshipping God, even in light of her pain. With her whole heart and voice, she sang songs of thanksgiving and hope, knowing that this world could not take that away from her.
Tanya’s faith, and the faith of many around me in Ukraine, remind me that we have a very limited understanding of our world. I cannot see how Vitaly’s death will bring about something “good” or work into the good plan that I know God has for Tanya’s life. But I don’t have to know. I only need to trust and remain confident that God knows the “how” and the “why” and God also feels the pain we feel. My comfort (and Tanya’s) comes from a faithful, unchanging God that loves and redeems us, offering a hope greater than anything I see around me.

Tanya and her brother, Vitaly, during his last visit

Tanya speaking with an IDP during a medical clinic in June

(Tony and Tanya in June)

(Michelle and Kristy in Haiti)

A word from the MPT…

I’ve been blessed to have known Kristy and partnered with her in her many ministries since 2005 – almost 20 years ago! – when I first found myself down in the Dominican Republic on a short term medical missions trip with El Hospital Buen Samaritano. Kristy one evening gave us eager college students the excellent advice that if we are interested in missions we need to spend more than a week or two – we need to spend 6 months to 1 year to really experience the day to day ups and downs of missionary life. I took this to heart and after graduation spent 6 months in the DR with Kristy as I worked alongside her and she mentored me in so many detailed aspects of her very broad ministry.

As the Lord expanded her ministry to a more Global focus, I’ve accompanied her to back to the DR, to Haiti and South Africa and have been so thankful she’s kept me as part of her MPT all of these years. Sometimes, I don’t feel I add much to the group except longevity, financial support, prayer, and being a sounding board, but I love being part of this tremendous and impactful group of people who dedicate our time to being part of Kristy’s core support and a safe place for her to land after some of her more challenging trips across the globe.

One thing that keeps me coming back to this MPT every year, aside from my friendship with Kristy, is I truly believe we were made for community and relationship. We reflect Jesus’ example in His own ministry as He pulled others alongside Him and poured into them, but also gleaned from others and drew strength from His closest people. I sadly can’t go with Kristy on every trip, but she knows we have her back and we get the joy of being partners in her very cool ministry.

On behalf of Kristy’s MPT, we thank the many of you who pray for and support Kristy financially and with your friendship and encouragement. If you haven’t taken the plunge yet in supporting Kristy- join us!

-Michelle Thompson, Emergency/ICU Nurse Practitioner

Did you know?…

This month, it has been near 100 degrees in western Ukraine, where I’ve been serving. You might be saying, “well, it’s hot here, too” but what if you didn’t have electricity for 15-18 hours per day (so no fans or air conditioning)! That’s what is happening for my friends and colleagues living in western Ukraine these days. Power outages are due to the attack on infrastructure, including the electrical grid.

Support Aid to Ukraine

Where in the world?

About 10 years ago, I was introduced to several refugee camps that exist along the Thai-Myanmar border. These camps house tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from the genocide in Myanmar, yet unable to fully enter Thailand as refugees. Many aid agencies, including those providing medical care, drastically reduced their support of the refugees when Myanmar stated that they would welcome refugees back to their homes. Unfortunately, no protections were offered to the refugees and they continue to be attacked and killed throughout Christian-minority states and regions in Myanmar or watch from a distance, hiding in the jungle, as soldiers burn their villages. Please continue to pray for those who struggle to survive in this environment as well as the governments and aid agencies trying to address these needs.

Learn more about Myanmar

Prayers

I will return to work in Ukraine in early August. Please pray for ease in travel and for all the pieces to fall into place as I bring my service dog, Mia, with me.
Continue to pray for my family as we have had several deaths this year
Pray for the ministry partners in Ukraine (Csaba, Tony, and Tanya especially) as they continue to minister to the needs of Internally Displaced Persons
Pray for Hungarian Baptist Aid and International Ministries as we look for ways to partner with Ukraine partners and help meet their needs

I want to help!

How you can help.

There are so many ways that you can help…really! I know that it often seems like there are only two choices: become a volunteer or become a donor. And yes, those are extremely important needs in this ministry, but I also need people to pray regularly, share the stories so others know, and support International Ministries and their projects with partners. If you would like to learn how you can be a part of this amazing ministry, click the link!