Monday, June 15, 2009

Urgent Message from Moscow - Update on Shestopalov Family

Immediate Response Needed
Church of God World Missions Project Number #132-4002

Daughter Killed in Car Accident
On June 13, 2009 Russian National Overseer Vladimir Shestopalov and his family were traveling in the Moscow region when they were hit head-on by an coming SUV, causing them to slide into a ditch and roll over several times. In the van with Bishop Shestopalov were his wife, Afrodita, and his three oldest children.

Unfortunately, the Shetopalov's third daughter Sabrina died of her injuries shortly after the accident. The other two daughters in the vehicle were seriously injured and were medivaced to a hospital in Moscow. The oldest, Christine, is in critical condition with sever damage to her head. Another daughter, Diana, has broken both of her legs below the knees but is otherwise stable.

Bishop Shestopalov and his wife remain hospitalized near the accident site with numerous cuts, bruises, and internal injuries. The will be released to attend Sabrina's funeral but still require further medical treatment.

This horrible tragedy affects the entire Church of God family and Russia and throughout the field of Eurasia.

Prayer: Please pray for the Shestopalov family. They need much love, comfort, and emotional/spiritual support in this time of loss. There will cert ainly be many painful and unanswered questions to arise in the weeks and months ahead.

Give: The Russian medical system promises free health care for only the most basic of needs, but patients must pay for effective medicines and operations. Many Russian churches responded with offerings within 24 hours of the news, but we anticipate the family's medical expenses to be well beyond these available means.

Since medical treatment in Russia is largely dependent upon the ability to pay in advance, the Shestopalovs will require immediate assistance for their hospital expenses.

Please help us respond to this need today by sending donations to:
Project #132-4002
Shestopalov / Medical Needs
Church of God World Missions
PO Box 8016
Cleveland, TN 37320-8016
Or call toll-free at 1-800-345-7492
Or donate online at www.cogwm.org

If donating online through our secure server, please make sure to check the box: "My gift is specifically for Missionary Support, National Workers or Special Projects as listed below". (If you use the20link above, the project number should already be listed in the form.)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a different project number than the one listed yesterday. Instead of using the seminary's project number (710-0072), we ask that all donations for the Shestopalovs go the number highlighted above.

1 comment:

Michelle Vallez said...

Have been praying for this family today since I first read the news...