As the war in Ukraine continues, churches sponsored by SGA are making the most of every opportunity to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of hurting Ukrainians in their communities.

Families and individuals have been broken by chaos and destruction on many levels—including those with both Russian and Ukrainian heritages. This has caused painful division. Yet in the midst of great heartbreak, God is leading many to Himself. Hear from four different Ukrainians who recently received SGA-provided humanitarian aid thanks to the generosity of friends like you.

[Translation]

My name is Liudmyla, and I came from Kreminna, Luhansk region. We were able to move out of there in March, but in April our city was already under occupation. We left there with the whole family. At first, we were hiding in basements and stayed there for some time, and when it was already very loud and difficult, the stores and pharmacies were not working, the food was all gone, there was nowhere to buy fuel. Then we realized that we just had to leave. 

Did all your relatives leave?

My husband’s sister stayed there. She is still under occupation. She did not want to leave because she did not want to leave her house. She is a pensioner and stayed there. We were told through our friends who still stayed there that she is still in her house, although there is constant shelling around.

Our house was damaged. Doors and windows are all shattered, everything in the house was stolen by the invaders. They take everything they like and then burn everything else. 

We have settled well here in the neighboring village and thank God for everything! There are now eight of us living in the house, which means three families. But we are grateful for your care and all the people who take care of us and provide us with food.

The most important thing is that you are all together now, thank God! Thank you very much for sharing!

[Translation]

My name is Kateryna. I came from Mariupol. I have been [here] for a long time, I came here in March last year. Our house was destroyed there, and the neighboring houses were also destroyed. We came here with nothing at all. (This coat was given to me here). 

There were six of us in one car fleeing Mariupol. We didn’t have time to take anything with us. I didn’t want to leave at all, I wanted to stay at home. But my granddaughter did not want to leave me there alone and they took me with them. Later, we were told that my daughter-in-law and her mother died in Mariupol and that other people buried them in our own garden because there was nowhere else to bury them. Later, all such victims were reburied in the cemetery. 

[Translation]

Good afternoon! What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Kateryna. We came from the city of Torez, Donetsk region. Our city has been under occupation since 2014.

How did you get out of this occupation?

I fled from there in 2014 and lived with my relatives in the Kherson region. And before the war started last January, I received a phone call and was told that my grandfather was dying. I went to Torez with my little child and thought that I would still have time to get my grandfather out of there. But since my grandfather was in the hospital at that time, and I was there with him, the war caught us there in Torez. I was not able to get him out of there. My grandfather blamed himself for the fact that I came to visit him with his granddaughter, and that the war began while we were there. His heart could not take it, and he died a few days later.

My brothers were taken to the war and I was on my own to take my child out of there. We were leaving through Crimea. Then I tried to bring my mother out through the Kherson region. My grandmother was also sick and bedridden, so it was not possible to take her out at that time. Later, when the border was opened in Kherson, my brother and his family and my grandmother could move to Poland. Today, all my relatives are safe. 

One of my brothers is fighting on the Russian, and my other brother is fighting in Bakhmut on the side of Ukraine. 

So, brother is fighting against brother? It’s terrible!

Yes . . . (crying)

Thank God that your relatives are with you . . . and you are safe here.

[Translation]

My name is Olena, and I came here from the city of Bakhmut. We left Bakhmut in March, when the full-scale war started. We left under shelling through Kramatorsk, then there were already evacuation trains, and that’s how we left. My two daughters and my husband, we all made it out. None of our closest relatives stayed there. Only the graves of our relatives are there in Bakhmut. 

All our property there is badly damaged, as far as we can see from the news. My city itself was very beautiful, now there is nothing there, just ruins! 

We are grateful to everyone who is helping us with food. We are very well welcomed here. We are very grateful to your church. We have been coming here for a year now and we are never been ignored and always helped and taken care of.

We are grateful to the sponsors who are concerned about your pain and constantly send food for all the people who are suffering! 

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.