Several years ago, a freak storm hit our area, knocking out power for most people in Pitman and surrounding communities. Refrigerators stopped running, and food was lost. Sump pumps went quiet and basements flooded. And it was dark. When night came, we had to resort to candles and flashlights.
The saving grace is that the outage only lasted less than a week. And, it occurred in the Spring when the temperatures were moderate and heating and air conditioning wasn’t needed.
But imagine a different situation where the power outage lasts for months or years? Imagine living in a war zone? Imagine living in Ukraine?
Lights
Without electricity, many things are difficult or impossible, and even life threatening. Perhaps the most frustrating challenge that’s constantly encountered is darkness. Without electricity, you must resort to flashlights and candles. Everywhere you go, you need to carry a flashlight. But what do you do when the flashlight’s batteries die? In our own experience, power outages only last a few hours or a couple of days at worst. Flashlight batteries won’t wear out before the emergency is over. But imagine being in a war zone. Where are you going to buy new batteries when the flashlight goes dark?
Making a Ray of Life
Several months ago, Pastor Jim alerted us to an article that appeared on the website for the Minnesota Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. It was entitled “Delivering Hope and Light to Ukraine.” The article describes the experience of Minnesota resident Dave Nonnemacher who developed a passion for Eastern European people as part of his efforts with an organization called New Horizons Foundation. Guided by a passion for children and motivated by the suffering and devastation of the war, Dave resolved to do something to help.
Understanding the difficulties resulting from the damaged electrical grid, Dave embraced a ministry of supplying lights to Ukrainians living in the damaged areas. These battery powered lights include a solar panel which can be used to charge the battery during the day so that it will provide light during the night. The units also include a port for charging cell phones. The lights are about the size of a cereal box. Thanks to a recent upgrade in in the design, the battery can now provide over 20 hours of light on a single charge!
The ministry of creating the lights and delivering them to Ukraine, is spearheaded by an organization called New Vision Renewable Energy. They designed the lights have been delivering them in several countries, including Ukraine. So far, they have delivered over 175 Ray of Life Solar lights and 200 water filter units to Ukrainians (Read More).
For the story behind these lights, click the below button to view a video that’s on the New Vision Renewable Energy website:
Partnering with New Vision Renewable Energy, a set of 10 lights was assembled by Dave and members of his church (United Church of Two Harbors, in Two Harbors Minnesota). This church was formed by the union of a Presbyterian and Methodist Church, and is affiliated with both denominations.
Delivering a Ray of Life
A home in Odessa Ukraine is brightened by a Ray of Life light.
In March of 2023, Dave went on a trip to Ukraine to deliver this first group of 10 lights which were assembled by his church in Minnesota. He also had the privilege of meeting with Ukrainian people, most of whom knew someone who was living in a basement trying to escape the bombs or who were living in darkness caused by a compromised electrical grid. These lights do make a difference in the lives of real people.
But the needs continue, and more lights are needed.
Throughout the year, plans have been made to raise sponsorship money to purchase more light kits, assemble them, and then deliver them to the Ukrainians who need them. Thanks to the efforts of the folks in Minnesota, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people living in a war-torn environment. Like the rainbow which reminds us of God’s faithfulness, we can reflect God’s love by delivering a “Ray of Life” light.
Light for Refugees, Built by Refugees
The Ray of Life light was designed by John Prusa, a refugee who emigrated from communist Romania in the 1970s. John passed away in March of 2023, but his legacy will continue to shine. Dave’s trip to Ukraine to deliver his church’s lights occurred three days after John’s passing. Surely the Lord’s hand is in this ministry!
John was an electrical engineer, and until his death, he served as the director of R&D for New Vision Renewable Energy. The lights that we donate will be assembled by students in a High School in Minneapolis, MN. This school, Lincoln International High School, is not a “normal” public High School. It is a charter school whose students come mostly from culturally diverse backgrounds. The people assembling these light kits come from places such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Iraq, Kuwait, and Somalia.
It is fitting that this project to help people who are fleeing the ravages of war is guided by people who were refugees themselves.
PUMC to Offer Rays of Life
Our Missions Team has decided to participate in the Ray of Life effort by sponsoring light kits. We are raising money which will be used to “sponsor” light kits, which will be purchased through New Vision Renewable Energy and assembled in Minnesota. The lights will be taken to Ukraine and placed in the hands of the people who need them. Our goal is to collect enough donations to sponsor at least 10 light kits by the end of October.
Any left over donations will be used for another project helping Ukrainians: Water Filters. The war not only shuts off electricity, but it also reduces the availability of clean drinking water. New Vision Renewable Energy is also working to provide needy Ukrainians with water filters.
If you wish to participate, here are the details:
- DONTAION: The amount is totally up to you. You can entirely sponsor a light kit or give any donation of any amount to the project.
- COST: You don’t have to fully sponsor a light, but each light kit costs $125.
- CHECKS: You can write a check to “Pitman United Methodist Church” with a notation for “Ray of Life.”
- You can place your gift in the offering plate during a Sunday worship service
- You can deliver your gift to the church office either by mail or by dropping it off in person.
- CASH: If you’re not into writing checks, you can do the above with cash (just put it in an envelope marked “Ray of Life”).
- ONLINE: You can make a dotation using PUMC’s Online Giving System. Click Here, or click any “Give” button on our website (there’s one at the top of the right-hand sidebar). Use the account labeled “UMCOR-Benevolence.” During the month of October 2023, all donations designated to this account will go to the Ray of Life project.
- DEADLINE: We plan to stop collecting gifts by Sunday October 29, 2023.
- PRAY: Pray for the students in Minnesota who will assemble our light kits and for all of the people who are victims of this war.
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To learn more about the Missions work at PUMC, click this button: Beyond Our Community
