By Baptist Message staff
COVINGTON, La. (LBM) – Hundreds of Ukrainian refugees recently enjoyed an early Christmas when a 40-ft. container of needed supplies from the Covington-based Fairhaven Ministry arrived in Poland.
Made possible through donations from individuals in Louisiana and beyond, the container was filled with clothing, medical supplies, hygiene products and toys. The container arrived in a Polish warehouse for early November distribution to Ukrainians who have sought refuge from the ongoing war in their country since February. Items from the container also were distributed to Ukrainian refugees in western Ukraine.
Johnny Huffman, who has spearheaded the ministry with his wife, Sissie, for more than 30 years, said a businessman from Texas covered the estimated $7,000 in shipping costs. Fairhaven Ministry also helped God’s Warehouse (operated by Nolachunkcy Baptist Association, Morristown, Tennessee) cover the cost to ship another container to Ukrainian refugees in Israel.
The shipment is the latest example of how God has guided and provided Huffman and the ministry with the means and finances to ship more than 150 containers to those in need in numerous countries over the years.
“We try to leave ourselves open to whatever God wants to do with this ministry,” Huffman told the Baptist Message. “Whatever is done, we want Him to be glorified.”
Huffman reminded Louisiana Baptists they can continue partnering with the ministry through prayer and donations.
“We never know what God is going to do, and we just try to be a channel of his love and caring,” he said. People ask me all the time about our needs and one of the biggest is prayer because that is what drives us. What I have found through the years is the Lord meets the needs if we will just stay open.”
For more information on partnering with Fairhaven Ministry, contact Huffman at johnny@fairhavenministry.com or 985.264.5052.
