For vulnerable Ukrainians, the bitter temperatures of winter bring great hardship and suffering as they struggle to stay warm. The country’s power system is still under attack during the war, and prices for food and electricity—when available—continue to rise. And yet, there is hope.

Many are thanking God for a warmer autumn which allowed them to save money for electric bills. They have turned to God and know He will take care of them—thanks in part to the food and other emergency help they receive through SGA-supported Compassion Ministry.

SGA team member Angela met some of these hope-filled Ukrainians at an SGA-supported church’s volunteer center recently. She shares their stories . . .

“Electricity is so expensive,” said Oleksandr, shaking his head. “Even if it means our wood stove lets out smoke and we breathe it in, it’s still better than the huge amount of money we have to pay for the electrical bill.”

He and the men had tried again, unsuccessfully, to adjust the stove and the pipe so that smoke wouldn’t enter into the building where locals gathered for events and worship. It was a mess, really. But Oleksandr was right: Last winter, the longer the war continued, the higher the prices rose, and not just for bread, eggs, and milk—but especially electrical bills.Our heating systems, often under attack of drones and bombs, were constantly needing to be repaired. This meant that local residents had to somehow make ends meet by saving enough money to make it through the winter. But this year, we are hopeful.

“We thank God for the warm autumn this year,” the lonely elderly woman standing nearby said. “We hardly had to turn on the heating, and we have saved money this fall. What a blessing! We know that He will help us make it through the winter, even if it’s a tough one. For now, we are thankful for this autumn.”

God is bringing help, healing, and hope to hurting people in former Soviet countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia through 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, medicine, warm clothing, and shoes.