Life and death measured in seconds
It’s truly remarkable to witness the courage and compassion of Ukrainian Christian volunteers operating perilously close to the front lines. These selfless individuals risk their lives daily to share God’s love with those living in villages near the bombings by delivering essential food, water & meds and by helping evacuate those who ultimately decide to escape these war zones.
Andriy and Serhiy recently returned from a town near the frontlines in Eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are conducting a fierce offensive to capture the region. Their firsthand observations reveal the intense humanitarian challenges facing volunteers assisting both civilians and military personnel in the area.
“Home, alive, intact. Unfortunately, Andriy was slightly injured. What an evacuation today!
On the way to the town of N. (name purposely omitted), we received calls from people asking us to evacuate them. They were finally ready to leave. In recent days, the bombing has been incessant and loud. The Phenol plant (gas derivative) is burning with black smoke. Many people are dying.
Our meeting place on this Sunday was near the church. People came to meet to pray, and we once again offered to evacuate everyone who wanted to leave.
Of course, we never go empty-handed; this time, we brought water and bread. As we walked to the car and started pulling out some boxes with bread, we suddenly heard a drone above us. Instantly, we ran, and that couple of seconds we used to escape turned out to be a lifesaver for us. The car was destroyed. We had to stay the night in N.
Our old Mercedes van was a beauty—white with a good set of tires. Over the last year, it has taken us over 40,000km along the front lines in southern Ukraine. It evacuated many people out and transported, served, and was useful—until it died.
The next day, another volunteer brother took us out, along with two other locals, who decided to evacuate.
Our ministry is sad, dangerous, and scary. Everyone is tired, but we’ll keep going back as long as we’re alive. We feel sorry for people in N., who choose to stay there.
Everything has its own time and a time for everything under the sky…Ecclesiastes 3:1
Well, we are still needed, and once whole and healed…we will be on the road again. Have your way, Lord!”
Thank you for your continued support for local churches, whose volunteers and chaplains are saving lives everyday.
