The Character of Compassion:
A Tribute to our HART Community
The Bible contains more than 2,000 references to poverty, justice, and compassion—a powerful reminder that God’s heart is deeply concerned for the poor, the vulnerable, the oppressed, and the brokenhearted.
This divine call to action is not merely about charity—it’s about embodying the character of Christ: to lift up the lowly, to stand for justice, and to walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
Over the past 30 years, our HART community has answered this call with remarkable faithfulness. In the face of poverty, war, and devastation, you, our donors, have consistently shown compassion not just in word, but in action.
Your support has built homes, fed the hungry, equipped pastors, healed the wounded, sent tens of thousands of children to camps, educated the next generation, and restored dignity to countless lives across Ukraine. This is not simply financial giving—it is sacrificial love in motion.
The character of those in HART’s community reflects the very nature of Christ: generous, steadfast, justice-driven, and deeply compassionate.
Through your ongoing partnership, you have become part of a greater story—transforming not only individual lives, but entire communities. In doing so, you have demonstrated what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a hurting world.
As we look back over three decades of ministry and look ahead to the future, we are humbled and grateful for our extraordinary community of givers.
Together, we answer the call of Scripture—and together, we bring hope, healing, and transformation to Ukraine, one heart at a time.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ART COMPETITION
By popular demand, our Children’s Art Competition is back!
Children in HART’s Child Sponsorship Program have once again been busy creating some wonderful artwork for our 2026 Competition.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll begin sharing their creations with you—and YOU will have the opportunity to vote for your favourites and help us choose the winning artwork for 2026!
For these children, art is much more than simply creating a beautiful picture. It gives them an opportunity to express their imagination, emotions, hopes, and dreams—and especially during these difficult years of war, it can provide a meaningful and creative outlet.
Stay tuned. We’re excited to show you the new paintings.
COMING IN THE NEW YEAR: ONLINE ART AUCTION
Following this year’s Art Competition, we are planning a special Online Art Auction early in 2027. The auction will feature paintings created by children from both last year’s and this year’s competitions.
Every dollar raised will go toward organizing future Art Competitions and giving even more Ukrainian children the opportunity to participate.
For children living through the trauma and uncertainty of war, art can be much more than painting a picture. It provides a safe and creative way to express emotions that can sometimes be difficult to put into words.
By purchasing one of these special paintings, You’ll take home more than a painting—you’ll take home a small piece of a Ukrainian child’s story.
Sampling of the 2026 Art Competition
Emergency Medical Fund story
They Pawned Their Wedding Rings to Save Their Son
Life has not been kind to 10-year-old Ivan. He suffers from encephalitis, meningitis, and epilepsy, leaving him with severe disabilities. He cannot walk, speak, feed himself, or manage even the simplest daily activities without assistance. He requires constant care, experiences frequent seizures, and is unable to attend school because of his medical condition.
Yet, despite these overwhelming challenges, Ivan still finds moments of happiness. He loves playing with soft toys, and nothing brings him more joy than spending time with his brothers and sisters.
Thankfully, Ivan is part of HART’s Child Sponsor Program, where two compassionate sponsors help provide for his needs. One supports his everyday necessities, including food, while the other helps cover a portion of the significant medical expenses associated with his condition.
When a Medical Emergency Strikes
Ten days ago, Ivan suffered a severe seizure. As his condition deteriorated, he was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. Doctors performed an MRI, and the results were deeply concerning. Ivan was admitted to the hospital, where he continues to receive intravenous treatment and medical care.
The immediate cost of his examinations and treatment was US$250.
For Ivan’s family, already struggling with the enormous financial and emotional demands of caring for a severely disabled child, it was money they simply did not have.
So Ivan’s parents did something heartbreaking. They pawned their wedding rings to pay for their son’s medical treatment. What an extraordinary expression of parental love. And what a painful reminder of the impossible choices facing so many vulnerable families in Ukraine.
Compassion in Action—When It Matters Most
Fortunately, Ivan’s family was not alone. As soon as Ivan’s HART caseworker learned what had happened, she contacted our HART team in Lviv. They immediately responded, arranging emergency financial assistance for his parents.
The funds were already available through HART’s Emergency Medical Fund—established for precisely these kinds of situations. Because our HART community had already given, our team didn’t need to launch a fundraising campaign or wait weeks to respond. Help was available when Ivan needed it most.
For his parents, that assistance meant more than financial relief. It was a powerful reminder that someone cared about their little boy—and that they were not facing this crisis alone.
Ivan’s family has expressed heartfelt gratitude to his sponsors and to HART for the love, compassion, and practical assistance they have received.
But Ivan’s medical challenges are far from over. He continues to need hospital treatment, medication, and ongoing daily care—expenses his family simply cannot manage on their own.
Will You Help Us Be Ready for the Next Ivan?
Ivan’s story is just one example of why HART’s Emergency Medical Fund is so critically important. Your gift to HART’s Emergency Medical Fund helps ensure that when the next desperate call comes, we can respond with compassion, urgency, and practical assistance.
Please consider making a gift today. Your generosity could become the answer to a family’s most desperate prayer.
Together, changing the world—one heart at a time.
Video + Article
Ukrainian youth raised in Crimea share how Russia trained them to become future soldiers.
Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been abducted to Russia, subjected to heavy indoctrination and even military training to turn them into Russian soldiers.
How Canada is leading an international effort to help.
Your support is helping rescue vulnerable Ukrainian children and bring them to safety, healing, and hope for a brighter future. HART is proud to be an international partner of ‘Save Ukraine,’ the remarkable organization featured in the attached video.
Article
Putin aims to break Ukraine by terrorizing the civilian population
The Kremlin appears to have abandoned any attempt to disguise its terror tactics and is now openly striking a wide variety of civilian targets.
How to Pray for Ukraine’s Pastors
- For renewed strength. Pray for pastors who are physically and emotionally exhausted after years of war—that God would restore their strength and give them genuine opportunities to rest.
- For their wives and families. Pastors’ families carry much of the same burden. Pray for strong marriages, protected family relationships, and encouragement for wives who often quietly support both their husbands and hurting church members.
- For wisdom. Every day brings difficult decisions: whom to help, where limited resources should go, whether it is safe to travel, and how best to respond to another crisis. Pray for God’s wisdom and discernment.
- For the right words. Pray especially for pastors standing before congregations filled with people who have lost husbands, sons, fathers, homes, and dreams. Ask God to help them speak truthfully about suffering while faithfully pointing people toward the hope we have in Christ.
- For their own hearts. Pastors grieve too. They bury friends and church members, worry about loved ones serving at the front, and experience the same air-raid sirens and uncertainty as everyone else. Pray that God would minister to them as they minister to others.
- For protection. Many pastors, chaplains, and volunteers travel into dangerous communities to deliver food, evacuate civilians, visit soldiers, and share the Gospel. Pray for God’s protection over them and their teams.
- For freedom from discouragement. After years of war, it would be easy to wonder whether their work is making a difference. Pray that God would continually remind them that their faithfulness matters and that their labour in the Lord is not in vain.
- For spiritual strength. Pray that their own relationship with Christ remains vibrant—that prayer, Scripture, and worship would become sources of renewal rather than simply responsibilities of ministry.
- For unity among churches. Pray that denominational differences become secondary as Christians work together to serve their communities and demonstrate the love of Christ.
- For opportunities to share the Gospel. In the midst of tremendous suffering, people are asking profound questions about life, death, God, and eternity. Pray that pastors will recognize these moments and share Christ with wisdom, compassion, and courage.
