Possibly you have had the opportunity to explore an underground cave. It does not take long for you to discover that without a flashlight, you are completely blind. There is no light at all. You must crawl along, feeling out your surroundings and never knowing what is coming next; how close you are to falling deep into a dark abyss or hitting your head yet again on a sharp formation coming down from the ceiling.

Life apart from God can be like this. Without the promises of God, His Word, and His Spirit to guide, we are guessing. We are blind to the future, blind to events that might be just seconds away and struggling with a level of fear of the unknown. But in a cave, a single flame can make all the difference in the world. Just a little bit of light and things are better. A flashlight opens the path forward. And as the light grows, so does a level of peace that you see that is coming and can chart a way forward. Life apart from God is like this. Darkness and the unknown. We convince ourselves that we are in control. But truly we are blind. But then the light of the Gospel starts as a flame and then expands to show the path forward. Those walking in darkness have seen a great light (Isaiah 9:2)

Up in a small village in northwest Ukraine, near the border with Belarus and only several miles from the failed Chernobyl reactor, is an SGA-supported missionary pastor and his wife who daily bring the light of the Gospel in a very dark place. He shares:

“By God’s grace, through the support of SGA ministries, we had an opportunity to hold a three-day camp for the children living around Chornobyl zone. The camp was held from July 27 to 29 under the theme ‘In Search of the Treasure.’ Despite all the difficulties associated with the military operations in our country, God blessed our endeavors and the camp went great. God brought new children to the camp so that they could hear the Gospel. We were amazed with the efforts to be in the camp of one girl, named Tanya, 15, who every morning would ride on her bike for four miles to get to the meeting point, where we pick her up on the way to the campsite and drove her back home in the evening. According to Tanya, she really enjoyed spending time with us.”

Sasha, the daughter of the SGA-supported missionaries, has served with her parents for years in this very dark place, and has been helping to bring the light to many lost children. She shares:

“All the children were from unbelieving homes, with five of them being from IDP [internally displaced person] families. After the camp, all the kids expressed their desire to come to the church for Sunday school and then study the Bible. The first day was devoted to the theme of heaven that God promised to us in His Word. The campers and leaders were looking for a treasure map, and they made large glasses and big ears as a reminder to listen carefully and study the Bible. The second day was a day of overcoming obstacles, which we can face in our lives—like our sinfulness that separates us from the Holy God. Only on the third day did we find our treasure, which God had prepared for us, and the final way to it, Jesus Christ, through whom we have salvation. Every day, we had 31 to 37 children. Despite hot weather, God provided, and we could hold all the activities without any unwanted consequences, and all days the kids played water games to avoid overheating.” 

These children are shrouded in darkness. Most all come from homes filled with drinking and abuse. This is a very dark region. Yet the children come pouring into this little church, craving the light of the love of God through Sasha and her parents, and the light of the Gospel. May these children gripped by darkness see the light of the Gospel.

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.