Ternopil, Ukraine -  Few things are as comforting as a hug. A hug – from a family member or even from a stranger who has welcomed you in – embraces your soul, warms you, and gives you support. It causes pain to melt away.

The Ukrainian war has created thousands of orphans who are the most vulnerable to the 15-degrees below freezing temperatures and need a warm hug. Living with distant relatives, in a group facility, or in a stranger’s home, they often lack the resources to stay warm. Many of these facilities have slightly heated homes making a warm jacket a necessity for surviving the Ukrainian winters.

Thankfully, our God cares for people and has made a way for His love to be shown.

At the onset of the war, a clothing manufacturer in Ukraine began stitching flak jackets to protect their soldiers in battle. The company, owned by a mission partner’s friend, continued making these protective jackets until something changed. And as often the case with an omnipotent God, a simple story is changing so many lives.

On Mission Network partner, Vitaliy Smolin, born in Ukraine raised in the USA, went back to Ukraine by to be a missionary in his home country. One of the projects his family’s ministry empowered was providing war-caused orphans with warm clothing.

At their Christmas bazaar, they were distributing a couple hundred jackets they had purchased. Once each child received a jacket, his/her picture was taken, printed and handed to them. One young girl, after having her picture taken, removed her jacket and handed back to Vitaliy who asked in Ukrainian, “What’s the matter, do you not like the jacket?” Her reply was heartbreaking. “I love the jacket and would love to have one, but you already took the picture.” Vitaliy melted. He realized that people had taken advantage of caring for orphans.

The next morning, Vitaliy called his friend who ran the clothing manufacturer and told him he needed to stop making the war jackets and make warm jackets for children. When his friend asked him why, he simply said, “Because God told me to and to give them away.”

Entering the third winter since the war started, the ministry is ramping up production to make as many jackets as possible. The jackets themselves are very high quality, “Because what we do we do as God’s messenger.” The jackets, branded “HUGS”, have scripture in Ukrainian sewn into each one – “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).”

And here’s how you can provide an orphan with a warm HUG.

On Mission Network is gathering support of its partner ministries to give away thousands of  warm HUGS to Ukrainian orphans in need during winter. The cost for each HUG jacket is $35 (if sold in America, it’d be about $125). The total we want to raise for this impact is $175,000. If we raise more money, we will deliver HUGS.

Beyond simply sending the HUGS, about 15 volunteers will be able to travel to Ternopil, Ukraine to take an active part in the Christmas celebration and personally hand out HUGS – both the jackets and the warm embrace – to some of Ukraine’s most vulnerable. The event in Ternopil is December 9-13 and the trip would be from September 5-15.

To hug these orphans closer to God, begin a fundraiser and/or donate directly to the cause. All funds raised for this cause will go to this cause.

• Start a campaign in your church or community by sharing the information and link.
• Donate online or mail a check to On Mission Network 5351 Catron Dr. Dallas, TX 75227. (Please make it out to On Mission Network and note "Jackets" on the check.)
• Sign up to stay connected to the progress and the distribution.