Illya Zayarchenko just came back to America after visiting Ukraine. Pastor Josh Shaffer of Hope Community Church of Delaware County requested he shares what is happening in Ukraine now.
Devastating Scenario
According to him, Ukrainians are thankful for all the support and prayers from Americans, and they can feel their presence during this time. He visited some war zone areas in Ukraine, and she cannot describe what she saw because the place was totally blown up, according to a source.
Zayarchenko addressed the Hope Community Church Men's Club and the church, discussing that after experiencing the devastation, he knew he had to do something to help residents get back home. So he jumped at the chance to assist with the Hostomel Project.
Zayarchenko is also willing to become part of the Power House Equipment Company in New Jersey as a technician boiler to help Ukraine. He said there are many ways to help, and anyone willing to help can approach them.
Building Mobile Homes for Ukrainians
He shared that the people in Ukraine now might feel discomfort, especially its winter in the country. He said houses are all destroyed, and people stay in temporary shelters with thin walls.
According to a source, Illya Zayarchenko, owner of Ardour Bakery and Coffee Café in Folsom, collaborates with Hope Community Church of Delaware County members to provide mobile homes to Ukrainians who the war has displaced.
After Zayarchenko returned from a visit to Ukraine in June, the church jumped on board with the project.
The church is collaborating with Zayarchenko, accepting donations and supplies to aid in the Hostomel Housing Project, a Ukrainian government initiative to build 56 mobile homes for those in need.
One of the church members, Brad Brown, who leads the church donation initiative, said that donations from Americans started pouring in when the war first broke out but that donations have since dropped.
Damages Worth Millions
More than $258 million worth of damage has been reported after the city of Hostomel in Kyiv Oblast was damaged by war. Houses and business infrastructures are greatly affected.
Currently, 4,553 buildings in Hostomel have been damaged, accounting for 40 percent of the total number of facilities in the city. Twelve percent of the damaged buildings were completely destroyed, while the remaining 7.9 percent sustained significant damage.
About Hope Community Church
Josh Shaffer, a longtime Delaware County resident, founded Hope Community Church with local Christians and Bethlehem Church in Thornton, PA. Instead of holding a religious service, they are serving the community and helping a local rehabilitation facility on their first Sunday morning together.
Hope Community Church members want to be a positive force in their community. However, they could not arise without the weekly contributions of team members who allocate their time and skills.
The church has an initiative called the “Blessing Bags” feeding program. The church provides food to children, especially when school meals are unavailable. In addition, they serve free meals for children during weekends.
