Sadly and in far too many places around the world, military communities (warriors and the families) do not receive the support they require. Those who protect their nations are often overlooked by the very countrymen they serve. For that reason, OBI was established from the very outset to serve the international military community. That goal has not, and will not, change.
Recent political and social changes in Russia deny access to that nation. Hence, the focus of OBI humanitarian assistance has shifted to neighboring Ukraine. That nation, in spite of ideological and political challenges, has proven more open and receptive to OBI’s educational, medical and family support. Efforts continue to center on meeting the moral and spiritual needs of the military community. Ukrainians have responded with an increased interest in developing a military chaplaincy.
OBI continues to work with established clergy councils and religious organizations, training them in the absence of a military chaplaincy, to prepare their members for ministering to the unique needs of service members and their families. Our outreach in Ukraine has led to the establishment and support of a hospital chaplaincy at three hospitals. Each has many military-veteran patients, as well as active duty military from adjoining military installations.
This hospital chaplaincy program might well serve as a military chaplaincy “pilot” project since, in fact, OBI is thereby supporting Ukrainian doctors who will be activated during a national military conflict as part of the Ukraine Conscription Program. The lead hospital chaplain actually already serves once a week at adjoining military installations as a volunteer Chaplain. These hospital chaplains, on behalf of hospital staffs, have asked for OBI help in caring for the victims of abandonment -- infants and children -- until they can be placed in an orphanage system. Although not our primary mission goal in terms of support to international military, we could not, and did not, ignore this need. OBI therefore has chosen to support this need as an outgrowth of our Hospital Chaplain support.
Family support education and training is being provided in Ukraine to meet this continuing need. Additionally, OBI has been instrumental in meeting another practical need by supporting the Ukrainian Military Christian Fellowship which conducts English Language camp each summer. The joint Ukraine and American staff and American volunteer camp workers for this annual event have witnessed remarkable transformations in those attending. As a result of its recent successes in Ukraine, OBI has helped to form an indigenous organization, Olive Branch-Ukraine. With our assistance, OB-Ukraine manages the ever-increasing complexities of ministries and needs growing in their home-country.
