Many women throughout the lands of Ukraine are grieving, not only for their lives to return to some kind of normal, but are also grieving the loss of their husbands. This great loss is more than the death of their loved one. It is a loss that encompasses their entire well-being. It is a loss of companionship, of future plans, of a complete family and also of the provision and protection that they once had.

This pain runs deep. For many this pain will continue long into the years ahead, as they have no hope. However, some are resting in the hope of the Lord. They are clinging to their Savior to be their truest companion, protector and provider. What has been lost here on earth brings great sorrow, however what is found and promised in the hope of eternal life brings a peace that only God can provide.

Please pray for these hurting widows and that they will see Christ through their pain and find lasting comfort in God’s saving grace. Pray also for the SGA-supportedmissionary pastors and their wives, who are pouring love and care into these ladies through SGA-supported Compassion Ministry and the truth of the Gospel.

The following is from Pastor Viktor in Ukraine:

Glory to Jesus Christ, dear brothers and sisters! Thank you so much for your support of the widows of fallen soldiers who defended our country. The war in Ukraine has brought profound changes and challenges to the life of our church. We have started a dedicated ministry for widows whose husbands were killed in the war, as there is currently a great need for it. This work requires immense responsibility, tact, and wisdom. In our village, there are many widows, as well as wives of soldiers who are currently considered missing in action. We strive to support them both materially and emotionally. To this end, we are laying a foundation for ongoing communication and ministry. We have already met with many of them, visiting to offer our sympathy and gratitude, as well as care packages containing food and hygiene supplies.

As a minister, I am deeply grateful for your compassionate hearts and for your help in ministering to the wives of our fallen defenders. This ministry is vital right now. I want to share with you about two of the widows we have visited.

Maryna, a widow, is struggling deeply with the loss of her husband. Their life together began just before the full-scale invasion. Right from the start, her husband stepped up to defend his homeland—first undergoing training, then deploying on combat missions, before eventually going missing in action. For nearly a year, Maryna lived in agonizing suspense. Her heart broke every day from the uncertainty, torn between hope and despair. Then, the tragic news of his death arrived. She was left alone with their little girl, who was only a year and a half old when her father died. Following the funeral, Maryna would bring a cup of coffee to her husband’s grave every morning, sitting there for a long time, dissolved in tears. At first, she took her daughter with her, but she soon began going alone because the child would cry as well. To this day, Maryna cannot hold back her tears, as the pain of this profound loss completely fills her heart. Together, they had been building a happy life in a small, old house. We pray and hope that the joy of the Lord’s salvation will come to this home as well. Maryna is deeply grateful for the support she has received and wishes to stay in touch with us. She also earnestly requests prayers for her little girl, who is still waiting for her dad to come home, as she has not yet found the courage to tell her that he will never return.

A widow named Svitlana has been unable to overcome her deep emotional distress on her own for quite some time now. She shares that with the loss of her husband, her life lost all meaning, leading her to seek comfort and ease her emotional burden in alcohol. During our conversation, she agreed to continue attending our meetings. But will the grip of alcohol allow her to do so? Please pray for her salvation.