Here are two stories that provide more background about what many of the internally displaced people in Ukraine have faced, and how aid from SGA partners, distributed through local churches, has been used to open doors for the Gospel.

As we continue to pray for peace, we are uplifted by the stories of people seeking God and growing in faith during these challenging times of war. We hope you, too, find encouragement in these powerful testimonies shared by an SGA Storyteller, and rejoice in God’s goodness for His transformative work.

Testimony #1

We are Victor and Tetiana, born in 1948.

We faced the beginning of the war in our hometown. We lived the first two months of the war at home, in the corridor of our apartment, according to the “two walls” rule, hidingfrom the rockets and bombs that were constantly flying into the city. We spent 60 days sleeping on the floor without heating, because at that time the enemy was launching 50-60 rockets and bombs every day. It was a terrifying experience, because you never knew where those shells would find a “shelter”.

We couldn’t evacuate earlier because our daughters and their families were staying in the city. My younger daughter spent the first 10 days at the subway station with the children (my granddaughter was 15 and my grandson was three). The large number of people at the subway station made the children sick. Once there was such a massive attack that the ceiling of the subway was shaking. We were very worried because we could not physically help. After that, the family of our younger daughter fled to a small town.

And our older daughter and her husband were attacked in the street by rocket fire in March 22, which was carried out with cluster shells, and received many shrapnel wounds. They were transported from the area to the hospital, where they received treatment. My son-in-law underwent surgery on his right eye due to numerous shrapnel fragments, and on his left eye due to retinal detachment. They were treated for almost a month, but the consequences of the injuries remained for life. My son-in-law has lost 95% of his right eye’s vision, and the left eyecan see only 40%. After these injuries, our eldest daughter and her husband fled.

Since August 2023, our son-in-law has been serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After our children left, we were free to leave the city under rocket fire on April 24, 2022.

In the first days of our stay after leaving, volunteers helped us a lot by telling us where we could get a hot meal and some legal assistance, where we could register as internally displaced persons. With the help of other IDPs, we gradually learned which centers were distributing humanitarian aid because our need was so great.

So, in June 2022, by the invitation of our friends, we came to the Transfiguration Church. At first, we came to worship on Sundays, and after the service, if it was possible, we received humanitarian aid in the church.

The church also organized family meetings, women’s meetings, Christmas, Resurrection and other church holidays, and nowadays the Transfiguration Church has become a real family for us. The spiritual support we receive in the church is very important to us, because it gives us the opportunity to feel God’s protection.

Another episode from our life. The first months were a bit scary and once my husband fell and hurt his knee. The injury was severe and since then his knee has required constant treatment. In early 2023, he underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus. At the same time, we unexpectedly received financial support from the Transformation Church. We were very grateful, because the surgery required money that exceeded our pension capabilities. Unfortunately, this medical procedure did not help and now we need to undergo supportive treatment, which requires additional costs.

We are very grateful for the help, both spiritual and financial, which gives us the opportunity to feel protected in these very difficult times of war, which do not allow us to return home. Our city is suffering from enemy shelling every day, which causes a lotof damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Testimony #2

Sister in the Lord, Halyna and her husband Alexander moved from their hometown and

started attending Transfiguration Church. God showed them a miracle. Six months later, Halyna repented and was baptized, and her husband is on the way to repentance.

Recently, their house was bombed, and they are very concerned and upset, because they had hoped to return in the future. But now they say that if it were not for the church and the Lord, they would not have survived, at this retirement age as they were left without anything and now, they rent a house.

But God cares about them through the Transfiguration Church!

We thank God for the help with food, it is God’s blessing for us in such a difficult time. We believe and hope in God and our trust in Him! Thank you all!

In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary, and SGA-supported Compassion Ministry. Be a part of God’s incredible work with your generosity and prayer support.

Your gift of compassion helps struggling people with emergency aid that generally includes Scripture materials, food, and hygiene supplies.