Working Together to Care for Ukrainian Refugees
Global missions is not something that can be done alone. It requires a partnership of missionaries, supporters, local partners, multiple organizations, and staff all working together to cross borders and cultures, especially during challenging circumstances.
June Johnson is a registered nurse, wound care specialist, and CMF missionary who had spent 24 years in Ukraine teaching and consulting at two church clinics and a Christian rehabilitation center for spinal injuries. She regularly lectured on wound and ostomy care at Christian medical conferences for medical students. She also worked alongside special needs ministry leaders, using her medical knowledge and other God-given skills.
In 2022, Russia escalated the war with Ukraine that had started in 2014, causing June to be unable to return to the country she had served for so many years.
June was asked, and quickly pivoted, to work in Germany to provide medical attention to Ukrainian refugee patients, many of whom she knew while in Ukraine and are quadriplegic, paralyzed, and suffering from pressure wounds. Faithful partners have enabled June to continue serving in Germany as long as she is needed, but wound care and medical supplies essential to the care of her patients are an ongoing need.
Longtime, faithful partner FAME has stepped in throughout the years to help establish hospitals and clinics as well as provide supplies and equipment for many of our worldwide ministries. Recently they gathered several boxes of supplies from their warehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, especially suited for the care of wounds, like those common in the people June is serving. Those supplies were then hand-carried to Spain.
Last week, everyone who serves with CMF, and was able to attend, just wrapped up a wonderful time together in Malaga, Spain. It was an opportunity for all CMF folks from 25 countries to join for a week of connecting with each other, listening and learning from each other, and gathering around our unified mission of creating Christ-centered communities that transform the world! It was the first time we have had everyone together, and it was a wonderful glimpse into the beautiful diversity of God's kingdom. It was also an opportunity to sort, pack, and carry a couple of suitcases very full of medical supplies and give them to June who was one of our many missionaries to attend the conference.
As the only medical professional caring for and living with these 40 some Ukrainian refugees, June’s days are long, the work tiring, and the sacrifice significant. Being able to spend a week in Spain with her CMF teammates is one small way for her to be cared for, poured into.
It was a meaningful time for June. “I didn’t realize how drained I was until I came to the conference. I spent the week soaking and refilling my ‘bucket’ and returned to Germany with hope. Thank you!”
June has now returned to her temporary ministry, medical supplies in hand, to care for her refugee friends. That the supplies started in Indiana and traveled through Spain to serve Ukrainians in Germany is a picture of the interconnectedness we share in God’s global mission.
Support June as she serves Ukrainian refugees in Germany.
Give to a general Ukraine relief fund providing resources to partners serving Ukrainians amidst the conflict.