Summer 2026
Reflections from Ukraine
This E-Blog is coming to you from Ukraine, where I’ve spent the past couple of weeks visiting many of our partner pastors, churches and ministries.
Every stop has reminded me that your support is doing far more than meeting practical needs—it is strengthening local churches, restoring hope, and changing lives. Here are a few reflections from my journey so far.
From Pew to Pavement
Every Sunday, churches gather to worship.
Every Monday, they become the hands and feet of Christ.
For more than four years, HART’s partner churches have faithfully stepped beyond the pews and into communities devastated by war—feeding the hungry, sheltering the displaced, comforting the grieving, caring for wounded soldiers, mentoring children, and sharing the hope of Jesus Christ.
Because of your prayers and generosity, our HART community is helping write hundreds of these stories every day. Together, we are proving that faith is not simply something we believe—it is something we live.
The Joy of Seeing Lives Come Full Circle
One of the first highlights of this journey was spending a day with Liliya and the children from the ARK Orphanage at their summer camp.
Located beside a peaceful lake in northwestern Ukraine, just a few kilometres from the Belarusian border, the camp echoed with laughter, games, music, and joy.
In a nation living under the constant shadow of war, it was a beautiful reminder that hope still flourishes—and that every child deserves the opportunity to laugh, play, and simply be a child.
What made the visit especially meaningful was seeing many former ARK children return—not as campers, but as volunteers, mentors, and leaders. These young adults, who once called the orphanage home, are now pouring their lives into the next generation of children, continuing the cycle of love and hope they themselves experienced.
All of them took time to personally thank HART, our faithful Child Sponsors, and generous donors. They expressed deep gratitude not only for standing with the orphanage throughout their childhood, but also for making it possible for them to continue their education through HART’s Education Scholarship Fund.
Because of your generosity, many have graduated from university, secured meaningful careers, are serving in their churches and communities, and are now able to support their families.
Seeing these former children thriving as responsible young adults was a powerful reminder that your investment didn’t simply change a childhood—it helped shape a lifetime.
Grateful for the love and care they received growing up, these former ARK children have returned to the place they still call home. They now invest their time and hearts in mentoring younger children and helping Liliya and her team continue this life-changing ministry.
Nothing demonstrates the lasting impact of HART’s ministry more clearly than watching yesterday’s children become today’s pastors, teachers, ministry leaders, and parents.
Roman’s story, which follows, beautifully illustrates how God can transform a single life into a legacy of hope for countless others.
From Orphan to Pastor
Roman’s remarkable testimony, Found, Lost & Found Again, is attached below. After spending time with Roman and his wife, I came away convinced they will become exceptional HART partners. They are a gifted team with a deep passion for reaching children and youth with the hope of the Gospel.
For me personally, this meeting was especially meaningful. I still remember photographing Roman when he was just eight years old as he entered the ARK Orphanage. Today, at age 28, he stands before me as a young pastor, faithfully serving God and now joining HART as one of our ministry partners.
Witnessing this journey—from a vulnerable orphaned child to a spiritual leader impacting the next generation—is both awe-inspiring and deeply humbling. It is a powerful reminder that when we invest in a child, we are often investing in generations yet to come.
Our Chaplains Continue Serving on the Front Lines
I also met with several of our partner chaplains who regularly travel into frontline communities, while others are embedded with the troops in the “kill zones” (1-20 km from the front lines).
Listening to their experiences is both sobering and inspiring. Their stories remind us that the war is far more than headlines—it is the daily reality of courageous men and women risking their lives to bring practical help and the love of Christ to people living in the most dangerous parts of Ukraine.
Again and again, the chaplains expressed heartfelt gratitude for standing by them as they serve civilians and soldiers. Your support is blessing them with hygiene kits, food products, first aid kits, and thousands of pre-cooked food packages. These meals continue to sustain civilians and soldiers alike in frontline communities where access to food is often extremely limited.
The Heavy Burden Carried by Pastors
One of the joys of this trip was spending time with my longtime friend, Pastor Andriy Korniychuk, regional pastor for Ukraine’s Rivne Province—an area often referred to as Ukraine’s “Bible Belt.”
For many years, Andriy has been one of HART’s closest ministry partners and continues to be an extraordinary evangelical leader, not only in Rivne but throughout Ukraine. His influence extends far beyond his own church as he encourages pastors, strengthens congregations, and helps coordinate ministry across the region.
Although he experienced some heart problems several months ago, he assured me he is recovering well. Still, our conversation highlighted something I have witnessed repeatedly throughout this war: the immense emotional, spiritual, and physical burden carried by Ukraine’s pastors.
Day after day, they comfort grieving families, counsel the traumatized, care for refugees, encourage exhausted volunteers, and somehow continue preaching hope in the midst of unimaginable suffering.
They rarely have an opportunity to rest.
With this in mind, HART is planning another Pastors’ Retreat this fall. Our desire is to give these faithful servants—and their wives—three or four days away from the relentless pressures of ministry. A chance to rest, reconnect with friends from across Ukraine, encourage one another, worship together, and simply breathe.
Please keep Andriy and all of Ukraine’s pastors in your prayers.
During one of our conversations, I asked Andriy a question that I suspect many of you have wondered yourselves:
“How do you preach hope to a congregation while their country is at war and so many have lost sons, husbands, fathers, and friends?”
He paused before answering.
What he shared next was one of the more profound conversations of my trip. I look forward to sharing Andriy’s reflections in an upcoming E-Blog. I believe his insights will also encourage all of us, no matter what trials we may be facing.
A Line of Gratitude
While visiting Grace Baptist Church in Rivne, I had the privilege of sharing a few words of encouragement with Pastor Andriy Korniychuk’s congregation. Standing before these faithful believers who have endured over four years of war was deeply humbling.
I thanked them for their faithful and tireless service. I told them that they have become an inspiration to evangelical Christians throughout Canada and the United States.
While many churches around the world gather each Sunday for worship, churches like Grace Baptist have become so much more. They have become a place of refuge for the displaced, a hospital for broken hearts, a dining room for the hungry, a counseling center for the traumatized, and a beacon of hope for communities living under the shadow of war.
I concluded by reminding them that they are not serving alone. Across the ocean stands an entire HART community—thousands of believers who pray for them, support them, and stand beside them in spirit. Although separated by thousands of kilometers, we are united as one Body in Christ, sharing the same mission of bringing hope to a hurting world.
Time and again, our Ukrainian partners tell us how much this partnership means to them. Simply knowing they have not been forgotten renews their strength, lifts their spirits, and inspires them to continue serving even more.
Following the service, something unexpected happened. A line quickly formed of people wanting to express their gratitude to our HART Community.
One encounter, in particular, touched my heart.
I met a mother who had fled southern Ukraine as a refugee. She described reaching the point of complete desperation, uncertain how she would care for her family. Then God opened a door through HART’s Child Sponsorship Program, and two of her sons were accepted into the program.
As she shared her story, tears filled her eyes. Soon we both had tears rolling down our cheeks as we embraced and thanked God for His faithfulness and for the kindness of people thousands of miles away who had become the answer to her prayers.
Moments like these remind me that HART is much more than a relief and missions organization. We are a community of believers through whom God is changing lives.
Investing in Ukraine’s Future
Another encouraging highlight was meeting several young adults who had received HART Education Scholarships.
With genuine excitement—and more tears of gratitude—they shared how the scholarships opened doors to careers, ministry opportunities, and futures they never thought possible.
Listening to their stories reminded me once again that when we invest in young people today, we are investing in Ukraine’s future leaders.
I was equally encouraged by the many children who gathered around me and enthusiastically thanked HART for giving them the opportunity to attend an upcoming summer camp.
Their excitement was contagious, and I couldn’t help but think about the seeds God will plant in their lives during those precious camps.
Thank You, HART Community
As I travel around Ukraine, I am continually reminded that none of what I am witnessing happens in isolation.
Behind every story of hope…
Behind every child whose life is changed…
Behind every pastor encouraged…
Behind every family cared for…
…stands the HART Community.
Your faithful prayers, generous giving, and commitment to HART make this ministry possible. Together, we are equipping local churches to bring hope, healing, and the love of Christ to people whose lives have been turned upside down by war.
Thank you for believing in this mission and for faithfully standing with the people of Ukraine.
As this journey continues, I look forward to sharing more stories of God’s faithfulness—and of how your partnership with HART continues to bring hope, healing, and the love of Christ to people across Ukraine.
Thank you for standing with Ukraine!
With heartfelt gratitude,
Lloyd Cenaiko
President & Founder
Pray Together with Your Church, Family, and Friends for:
- A just and lasting peace — that light would overcome darkness.
- Defenders, veterans, prisoners, and their families — for strength, protection, and hope.
- Christians and non-believers in occupied territories — for endurance under persecution.
- The safe return of kidnapped children & healing for broken families.
- Comfort for the grieving & restoration for the wounded.
- Protection of cities, villages, and civilians from relentless attacks.
- Global perseverance in standing with Ukraine during this long struggle.
- Wisdom and courage for world leaders as they confront tyranny.
