An SGA-supported church has not become not only a “train station,” but also a lighthouse for lost and hurting people to find rest and peace.  Jesus said . . . Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Life in Ukraine has been laborious, and there are many heavy-laden men and women walking the streets.  Thankfully, they have a place to “rest.”  Not only a place to lay their heads and find warm food, but also a place to experience God’s rest—rest for their souls through the hearing of God’s truth and the love of His people.  It’s in this place where hope is found, and also where strength and courage are gained to move forward.  In the tragedies of life, He is our lighthouse. Below, you’ll read the story of a woman who put her hope in the light of Christ, even from the darkest place.

My name is Galina. 

Almost all my life I lived in my village—in the house that my husband and I built with our own hands. Our children are already adults and have their own families, so it was only us who left. The village is small, but native to pain because every corner is a memory. It is a part of the soul. 

When the war began, our village was on the front line. We heard explosions every day, saw the earth shudder, and the sky turned red. The military had repeatedly asked us to evacuate, explaining that staying is dangerous. But we couldn’t. How could we leave everything?  How could we leave behind a house in which children’s voices were heard, where every wall breathes memories? 

But even our resistance could not stop the war. Last year, our house was destroyed. We were in a shelter when it happened. After the explosion, only the address remained—nothing remained of our home. 

With pain in my heart and tears in my eyes, we went to a nearby town.  What our life was yesterday was just a memory. But God has not left us. In the first few days in the new city, we found a job, and later an apartment. It was abandoned but we removed it, repaired it, and made it look a little like a house. 

Our home village is still not safe. There are also explosions, anxiety, fear. But we don’t want to run anymore. We took root here. We are building a new life from the wreckage of the old. There are many people like us who have left everything but faith and hope. 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).

We believe that this darkness is not eternal. God sees our pain and leads us through it. We are very grateful to everyone who does not forget about refugees, for those who help, who simply ask, “How are you?”. This concern is like a ray of light.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away – (Revelation 21:4).

We are waiting for breakthrough. We pray for Ukraine. And despite everything—we thank God for a new day, for bread, for the warmth of strangers who became relatives. We’re alive. And this is already a miracle.

The people of Ukraine are very grateful to the Lord for the fact that we have the opportunity to live life, communicate with relatives or friends, and celebrate birthdays or weddings. But the most important thing we have is faith in Jesus Christ, and that soon these horrors will come to an end.”