A Manitoban man is heading to Ukraine at the end of the month as the country continues to struggle through war.
"I've been going to Ukraine since 1997," says Gerald Huebner, a board member with Christian Camping International Ukraine (CCIU). "My first number of trips to Ukraine I was working in agriculture. Then I got tapped on the shoulder and asked whether I would help with some camping ministry in Ukraine."
Huebner has an upcoming trip at the end of April into May, including going into Ukraine to encourage the staff with CCIU.
"People ask me questions like, 'Don't you know there's a war there?' Yes, I do know and that's the reason I'm going, in part. Churches are operating camps all across the country to be able to proclaim the gospel. During these times of war, it's even more important. Some of the camps have or are operating as refugee centres."
Normally the camps with CCIU have 65,000 campers throughout the summer months. This year it looks like they'll be able to minister to roughly 40,000-45,000.
"I'll be participating in a camp leader conference. We know that we will have over 250 camps that are operating this summer in Ukraine, that is preaching the gospel and showing Christ's love every day."
Huebner is stopping in the Netherlands first for a worldwide camp conference. From there he'll take a bus in Poland to Ukraine as it's a no-fly zone.
"A friend of mine told me recently that the safest place I could be is in the centre of God's will. No, I'm not nervous and the reason I'm not is because I believe it's what God wants me to do and I have around 500 people committed to praying for the mission while I'm away."
Huebner and his wife went to Ukraine at the end of last year and while they were there they heard 'story after story' of God's provision.
"There are so many stories. God provided ways of doing things in miraculous ways. When they went to the town to try and find food, they didn't have the money to buy it, but when they came out to their car, it was full of food. Cars that should have run out of fuel because they drove farther than they should have, didn't run out of fuel. The tank was still almost full when they got to where they needed and God provided."
People can follow along virtually with Huebner's journey on Facebook. Anyone looking to donate to help keep the camps running can do that here. Anyone interested in praying over Huebner during this time can also connect with him via email, at ukraineprayerteam2023@gmail.com.
"People in Ukraine ask that people don't forget about them. The prayer request is simple. Pray that they would not grow weary doing good. When I hear about God's hand at work, it is truly exciting."