There is a passage in the Bible that is at times hard to process. The Apostle Paul writes, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV). 

We pray that God will spare us affliction, and may even feel God has forgotten us when we are afflicted. But what if God is allowing an affliction in our life that He will see us through so that we might be vessels of mercy for others, pointing them to the same comfort that we are comforted with by God. 

It is almost unthinkable that a little girl might suffer in the hands of a wicked world and that she might be able to comfort others in a way that she could not have before. Yet Marina —who lost her leg as a collapsing wall crushed it during the war in Ukraine—was comforted by God and His church. And she can now comfort others with the same comfort. Very hard to process, but equally amazing to see and clearly the work of God.

Marina’s grandfather, SGA-supported Pastor Sergei, shares more of how this faithful young servant is doing today and how she is ministering to others . . .

“After arriving from Kyiv, my children and granddaughter Marina went to the hospital where she had her surgery. They miss her there and love her. My daughter and Marina not only went to visit and thank them, but also took clothes and toys for other children who were there. [These toys and clothes were donated by people in the Kherson region who themselves had nothing.]

“They both remembered how much the children in the hospital wanted someone to bring them something. There are many children from Kherson and Kryvyi Rih. They were brought there after the flood. Now we are collecting more things and are going to deliver them again. Marina has a lot of friends now.

“Children’s mothers are writing to us, saying, ‘These are two girls Kira and Nastia (pictured above) and other children thanking Marina and all of you for your help.’ Their moms wish that God would take care of Marina and protect her. The children are dressed in jackets and with the donated toys. ‘Kira has no father, and your gift was very helpful.’ Mom is raising two children alone. ‘We hug you. We also gave children’s things to Karolina and other children. Marina, you’re doing a great job. Thank you!’”

After sharing this wonderful update, Pastor Sergei also added: “Thank you from us!”