Dr. Vien Doan and a team of 18 doctors from Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministry partnered with Grove Community Church to provide relief efforts in Ukraine on Saturday, April 30.

Medical Team in Inland Empire To Offer Help to War Refugees

To benefit civilians trapped amid the conflict, Doan has arranged a group of 18 doctors, nurses, and volunteers who would travel to the Poland-Ukraine border with medical supplies and body bags. 

The group of people from throughout Southern California and the Inland Empire departed on its two-week journey on Saturday, April 30.

According to Press Enterprise, when Doan, the founder of Good Samaritan Medical and Dental Ministry, decided to walk to the Poland-Ukraine border on his own, he did so with great courage. 

A team formed when Joseph Hobbs, his pastor of The Grove Community Church in Riverside, California, was informed of his solitary mission.

The Grove and Sandals Church, as well as Doan's family practice in Riverside and the funds of Doan and his volunteers, provided the funds for the trip.

Individually, each member of the team gave roughly $2,000, although others raised up to $4,000. It was said that all of the funds raised would go directly to help the Ukrainian people, according to Hobbs. 

As a result of The Grove's sponsorship of the trip, churches and organizations such as the Tesco and Korczowa refugee centers were contacted.

As per the report, Hobbs added that the money would be utilized to identify long-term solutions, including providing transportation, food, shelter, and medical help for Ukrainian citizens. 

Forty pastors in eastern combat zones and their communities will receive about $20,000. 

Members of the team had counseling sessions to prepare for their upcoming mission, which included discussions about possible post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

"I want to give back and tell them God loves you, and the American people love you. Look at me. I came to America with only a shirt on my body, but here I am," said Doan, as quoted by ABC7 News. 

About Grove Community Church

As a community of Christians, Grove Community Church is dedicated to preserving the diversity of views held by its members on ideas that are both significant and essential to salvation.

As stated on the church's website, even though Grove Community Church is a nondenominational organization, it is also affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention and the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

On June 18, 1925, a small group of individuals with a strong faith in God took the first steps toward forming the church. However, they didn't know exactly how they would fulfill God's call to start a church in Riverside.

They jumped at the chance to show their love for others that God provided.

More than 95 years later, people can see the great chances to love others God has given them. The name and site of the church have shifted several times, but the spirit has remained the same.