Dmitry Bodyu and Family

Hi, my name is Olesya Griffith and I am Dema’s sister. As I write this story, Dema and his family (Helen-wife, Jennifer-daughter, Nicholas- son, Arthur- son in law, and Arthur Junior- grandson), are preparing to make the very dangerous journey from southeastern Ukraine to Poland and then eventually to the US. As you might have seen/heard either through prayer requests or on the news he was taken by Russian soldiers, from his home, for 9 days, and held captive, and later released to his family. Praise God! Dema immigrated to the US from the Soviet Union at the age of 17 years old with our family and went to Christ for the Nations with his wife. They made the decision to go back and serve our people in Ukraine, and that is what they have been doing for the past 30 years. Dema is lead pastor of a group of non denominational/evangelical churches called Word of Life in Ukraine. He moved from Crimea to Melitopol in 2014 when Crimea was also occupied by Russia. He and his wife do pastoral and missions work together by loving, serving, and preaching the gospel to the people of Melitopol and internationally. They also host conferences for other pastors and missionaries to come receive pastoral training and respite to be able to invigorate churches abroad. Their church had been sheltering and feeding many displaced people/women/children/elderly as Melitopol was being occupied and shelled. They have given their entire lives to ministry, as they have raised their family in Ukraine over the years, and now Melitopol has become completely occupied by Russia, and their church doors have been forced to close after his release. The living situation has become very difficult in Melitopol as far basic necessities, but Dema and family chose to stay knowing the risk of being taken/kidnapped for the sake of not leaving his flock/church. Their faith at risk of loss of their own lives has been an encouragement and testament to thousands internationally, and I’m sure locally, as the gospel has flourished and spread at a time of suffering and imprisonment, like only God can do. They are not unaccustomed to loss, but this time will be leaving behind everything besides their faith and family. Their country/town/homes/belongings/friends/ministry partners/businesses/work/and everything that does not fit within a few suitcases and into a car for this family of 7. They will be starting completely over and I anticipate will need help with various expenses such as food, transportation, hygiene products, medical care, and the list goes on as you can imagine. We of course have responded by opening our doors for our family for as long as they may need and ask that you may also prayfully consider meeting some of the monetary needs this family will need to get reestablished as they have given and left behind so much for the sake of others. And please share this with those you know have been praying for them as well.