In 2020, while working as RDH and an assistant professor at LLUSD, Larysa Baydala was completing her MBA degree at La Sierra University. As part of her requirements, she was taking a class examining nonprofit organizations. At the time a thought crossed her mind about how great it would be to have her nonprofit organization and deliver aid directly to the areas of limited access in Ukraine within a matter of days or even hours. Hence a dream was born – she shared her idea with a certified public accountant.🌻🌻As the gears began to turn, they hired an attorney to help with a year-long process of 501c3 certification for Olive Tree Ministry. In July of 2021, they submitted the necessary paperwork to the IRS. 💛💙Providentially her application was approved in February within 2 weeks of the invasion of Ukraine, providing an opening to support the Ukrainian people in the greatest time of need. As pastors across Ukraine began discussing local needs with Larysa –donations began streaming in to match them. In times of war, the Adventist churches became unofficial refugee centers to provide hot food, water, hygiene essentials, and a place to sleep- all done in the spirit of love. The Adventist Church in Ukraine does not support the purchase of weapons, but it does support the troops with the needed personal essentials, such as thermal and protective wear, hygiene items, medications, etc.
The Russian-occupied areas and combat zones were the hardest to reach by the large humanitarian aid agencies. The roads would open occasionally for supplies, and local church volunteers could pass through bringing the needed essentials purchased with the help of Olive Tree Ministry to the people stranded in the war zones.
Olive Tree Ministry worked with many donors, several churches across the U.S, and relayed in tax-deductible donations to the areas of need in Ukraine. 💙💛Many destinies are changed because of these contributions – a miraculous escape, a warm meal, a place to stay, or life-saving medications sponsored by this ministry and its volunteers in Ukraine continue to testify of the unity of God’s children across the continents.