Here is another heartbreaking story, yet also another testimony to the importance of what friends like you are joining with SGA to do through your generosity. You are helping to serve the churches we support in Ukraine, so that they may continue to care for the physical and spiritual needs of hurting Ukrainians.

May our brothers and sisters in the Lord continue to be strengthened (Philippians 4:13) so that through Him they may persevere and share the Gospel—in word and deed—with hurting people like Kateryna . . .

“I came here from Mariupol. We lived in Mariupol for 63 years. Now I have gone through terrible times. We lived in the basement for two months. A month without food and water. We had nothing at all. Explosions and bombings every 10 minutes. It was impossible to get outside. Our neighborhood was completely smashed and destroyed.

“At that time, no one helped us, no one could get to us. Only [the invaders] came to our basement, checked everyone. They asked us questions. And I was silent because I speak only Ukrainian and was afraid to say even one word. In the Mariupol region, we lived near Azovstal. During the time we were hiding, the [the invaders] checked us more than once. But we were old, so they did not interrogate us much. But what our friends and neighbors went through, it is very terrible to remember all that horror now. Only God helps us not to go crazy from all that we have experienced. 

“Later, we had a very long and tiring travel. To get [here], we traveled through Russia-Georgia-Austria-Lviv-Rivne. We stayed in Rivne for a while, renting an apartment there. But it was too expensive to rent an apartment, so we came [here] . . . believers helped us constantly with food and everything we needed. For my age, this whole trip was too hard and seemed unbearable, but the Lord helped. We have been here for almost a year now. Even being here, as if in a more peaceful place, we still understand and feel this constant tension that hangs over us, we pray and want to trust God! We thank the church, the mission and all the believers who care about us.”

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-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.