Editor’s Note: The images below were provided by an SGA-supported church in Poland.
Below is a continuation of an interview with Marina, a refugee from Mariupol. She continues to share what it was like living in a disaster area and sharing what their greatest need is now…food.
From the interview with Marina…
What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Marina and I am from [a city in Ukraine]. We arrived here on April 6.
What happened there?
Disaster happened. The war has begun. At first, we lived on the Left bank, with two children we constantly ran from the house to the basement, and from the basement back home. Then they decided to evacuate us on March 1 to [another Ukrainian city]. On March 2 my husband arrived, and a real scorcher began: we were bombed from the air, and by GRADs, and by tanks; everything around was on fire; there were dead bodies everywhere; there was no water, or gas, it was impossible to go out for water because of the fighting, rockets and mortars were hitting all around. Our children were crying and shaking. Thanks to our Ukrainian military and the food they provided we survived. It continued until March 24-25.
So, you lived in such situation for almost a month?
That’s right. We waited until the close battles were over, then the [opposition] entered for a cleansing operation, then the next day, on the 24th, the DPR entered. We cleared our way through the corpses of the dead civilians, and so we were able to leave.
Have you lost your home…?
We lost everything; we fled in what we were wearing
You have two kids, what age are they?
Ten and three
Is your husband here with you?
Yes
What is the hardest thing for you?
The most difficult is to explain to our children that today we do not have meat, or sweets, warm water, hot tea, especially to the younger one.
What are your needs now?
Right now, we need food. The volunteers provide food and clothing, we say a huge thank-you to them, also for a psychological help.
You have to start from scratch, buying everything from a spoon to…
There are enough people in the world. Yes, we know that we have lost everything that was acquired with hard work, but there is a verse in the Bible that says to hold on to the vine (abide?), so here I am holding on, and holding on to life, not to the property.
Thank you!
In a time of great uncertainty, God is bringing help, healing, and hope to the people of Ukraine through SGA-supported pastors, churches, a seminary, and SGA-sponsored 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.