Too many Ukrainians have been forced from their communities or have even seen their homes be destroyed in the ongoing war. But what a privilege it has been for the churches we serve to warmly welcome these hurting souls—and witness growth in the Lord!
Pastor Pavel’s congregation is thankful for friends like you who keep giving to supply emergency food and aid through SGA-supported Compassion Ministry. These much-needed supplies are blessing hurting Ukrainians like Olga and Alexandra, whose testimonies you can read below, and opening the door to life-changing Gospel conversations.
Testimony #1
My name is Olga. I was born in the city of Torez, which is in the Donetsk region—now the city is called Chystyakove.
Unfortunately, back in 2014, my hometown came under occupation. My father worked as a miner, my mother worked as a dental assistant. I also have an older brother who studied in Kharkiv and now lives in [a different city].
Since my childhood, I have dreamed of becoming a math teacher, and I applied to Poltava Pedagogical University, but I was told directly that students from other cities were not welcomed there. So I applied to Donetsk Technical University and got a degree in design engineering. Industrial and Civil Engineering. I was the head of the group for all five years and graduated with a red diploma. It was considered that I was the best student. After graduation, I was forced to leave my hometown because of the occupation. I moved in to live with my older brother, who was already living in [that city] at the time. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a stable job: I worked as a teacher at a [city] school, then as a cashier in a supermarket, then as a designer in printing. And now I work as a Crossfit trainer. I was married once. I have a daughter, Sofia. She is now 10 years old. Sofia has autism spectrum disorder. She is very active but does not speak. We are constantly visiting rehabilitation centers, speech therapists, and psychologists. My daughter is actively engaged in Crossfit.
In general, our life is very busy. I am raising my daughter on my own. My parents are still in the occupied territory, and my husband’s parents are busy with their work. I am ever grateful to God that Sofia does not understand what is happening, because she is not afraid of sirens and does not know what danger we are in. From the first day of the war, I didn’t want to leave Ukraine, no matter how hard it was for me and my daughter.
For many years now, she and I have been attending a day care center for families who are raising children with disabilities. The center is . . . organized by volunteers from the [local] Association of Baptist Churches. These meetings are an opportunity for us to develop and have a rest! We really appreciate the efforts that are made for the development of our children: outdoor games, cooking classes, Bible lessons, and developmental activities. And for us, the parents, there will always be a cup of delicious coffee and caring hearts that are always ready to listen, support, laugh and even cry. Here, our children and we feel absolutely free and accepted!
Two months ago, my husband left us. I was forced to get up in the middle of the day and just leave the house with nowhere to go. By the grace of God, I found a room for a temporary stay. Yet, later on, the school teachers asked me to switch Sofia to individualized education starting in September. It was a shock for me, because now my daughter will be deprived of daily communication with her classmates. Now we go to work together. It is in such difficult moments that [the center] helps me a lot: they have been trying to support us with food throughout the war! It is extremely valuable for me! I am grateful to those who, even after two and a half years of war, still show concern and compassion to our grief and pain!
Testimony #2
My name is Alexandra. I am 62 years old. I am from the suburbs of Kharkiv. It so happened that after school I had to go to military service. My parents were also in the military. Because where we lived at the time, there were not many options: to go far away from home to study or to go to the military. So I spent my whole life in the army. My husband died very early. I was left alone with three boys. It was obvious that life was not easy for us, but I tried my best to put my sons on their feet and give them what children in full families had.
When the war started, we came under fire directly. On February 24, 2022, at 9 a.m., all three of my sons were at the military office. The older ones volunteered back in 2014, but were wounded and stayed at home, and this time all three went. For two and a half years now, all my sons have been defending our homeland. They have been on vacation only a few times over the years. Very often I have no contact with them for a whole week. But I am incredibly proud of them! They are real heroes! People on whom our nation stands!
Now I am displaced and have to live [here], because our house is destroyed and uninhabitable. Here I was invited to the church as an IDP [internally displaced person]. As a mother of three soldiers, I am very grateful to the pastor for the fact that every Sunday we all pray together for our soldiers! These prayers give me peace in my heart for at least a few hours, because my heart is always breaking with anxiety about my children! Later I was invited to a Bible study group on Tuesdays. Here I find answers to many of my questions. I have never been interested in God, because since my childhood I was taught that God does not exist. However, today I can say for sure that I repented, and the Lord has completely changed my life! I still have a lot of progress to make, but I have decided that I will follow Jesus!
Last month I was baptized! This decision was very hard, but also very conscious! I hope the Lord will give me some more time to serve Him! Now I live in a dormitory, but even in the common kitchen I try to feed the physically and spiritually affected people like myself every week: I bake pies, make crisps, and make dumplings. In a word, I try to cheer up those who are having a hard time. I also want to have a ministry related to the kitchen in the church, if the Lord allows.
Thank you for the food aid! I especially appreciate the flour, sugar and oil—they are my first helpers in baking! And special thanks for the meat stew! I can’t buy meat on my limited pension! Thank you to everyone who blesses us so much! And first of all, I thank God for His care through people!
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.