For decades, SGA-supported churches in Israel have quietly ministered to Russian-speaking families—refugees and immigrants who arrived with little more than their language, their stories, and their need. Many came fleeing hardship in the former Soviet Union. Others, more recently, fled the war in Ukraine. What they found in Israel were congregations ready to welcome them—and believers ready to serve them.

One of those congregations meets in Ashkelon, where SGA-supported Pastor Oleg leads a community of Russian-speaking believers. Among them is a woman named Tanya—a former Chernobyl cleanup worker, a cancer survivor, and a living testament to the mercy of God.

Moved by compassion for others who carry the same invisible wounds she once bore, Tanya has been distributing food packages with Oleg’s congregation to elderly Chernobyl survivors now living in Israel. God uses the generosity of friends like you to provide this humanitarian aid with the love of Christ—and each delivery as a bridge to the hearts of people who gave so much and received so little in return.

This spring marked 40 years since the nuclear power plant disaster at Chernobyl that changed their lives forever. In the weeks surrounding that painful anniversary, Tanya wrote to share what God is doing through the generosity of friends like you—and what is still needed.

Her report follows, in her own words.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Once again, I want to sincerely thank you for your help with the food packages. This time we distributed them to the men and women who participated in the cleanup operation after the disaster at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. April 26 marked a painful anniversary—40 years since the nuclear reactor explosion and fire that changed countless lives forever.

Today these people are elderly and in very poor health. Almost all of them carry the same painful consequences: cancer, thyroid disease, weakened immune systems, chronic pain, depression, and emotional exhaustion caused by years of suffering and heavy medication. To be honest, I am one of them.

Seven and a half years after the explosion, I worked at the Chernobyl site helping deal with the aftermath of the catastrophe. In 1994, I became seriously ill with radiation sickness. I was only 30 years old and in extremely critical physical condition. I was terrified. But it was precisely in that dark season of my life that Christ found me. I repented, believed in Him, and by His mercy a miracle happened—the Lord healed me.

Today I am 62 years old. When doctors hold my medical records in their hands, they can hardly believe what they see. Even I sometimes stand in awe of the miracle God has done in my life. My heart longs to find a path to the people who once helped save the world from the consequences of the nuclear fire in Chernobyl. I want to share with them the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many of them are now living in extremely difficult physical and financial conditions. These food packages are not only practical help—they are also a bridge to their hearts.

Soon we will celebrate Shavuot here in Israel, known in the Christian world as Pentecost. We are planning to organize a special gathering for these heroes, to encourage them and once again tell them about the grace and mercy of God. . . .

Thank you so much for your love, prayers, and support.

Tatiana