Another ‘Small’ Story in a Big War
The letter you are about to read offers a touching, candid glimpse into the daily realities faced by countless children in war-torn Ukraine. Tetiana’s words are a powerful testament to her faith in God, the strength of the human spirit, and the ability of the Ukrainian people, even the youngest among them, to persevere in the face of adversity.
To: Christina (in Canada)
From: Tetiana (in Ukraine)
Hello, Christina. How are you doing? How is your family? My family and I are doing well.
A missile fell and exploded close to our house, and it was very scary to hear those explosions. I began shouting, and we all went down to the basement.
I attached some photos where you can see a little man – it’s my father so that you can see what a big hole was formed at the site where the missile fell.
My younger sister was very scared and hid under the table. I also added a photo of her.
The local health center was damaged (windows were smashed). We can attend classes at school, but when the missiles are dropping, we study at home. I don’t like remote schooling, as I don’t understand many things the teacher explains online.
On the 14th of February, we celebrated Saint Valentine’s Day. We were at school that day, so boys and girls gave each other Valentine’s cards. We had a special box where we could put them. I took part in the performance, playing the accordion. I didn’t do as well as I would have liked to, but still, I did that. I also sang in the choir, and we did really well.
The 20th of February was the day of remembrance of the Heavenly Hundred (2014 Euromaidan Revolution) when we recalled everyone who died for Ukraine’s independence. We had a little performance with our class, during which we recited poems, and I sang a song. I was a little nervous to do that but I managed to sing. The song was about Christ giving his life for all people.
I read the Bible and would like to share some verses with you:
1) “Trust in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.” (Psalm 37:3-4)
2) “Do not be overcome and conquered by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Thank you for sharing some of your Bible verses with me, I liked them. I am looking forward to getting your next letter.
Tetiana
Matching funds opportunity
Help support the Ukraine Crisis Fund
Help us SEND thousands of Ukrainian kids to camps this summer!
Despite the ongoing devastation of war, providing summer camps for children in Ukraine is absolutely critical.
Amid constant air raid sirens and the ever-present fear that pervades their waking hours, summer camps create a sanctuary—a safe haven where children can rediscover the simple joys of being a child. Here, they can play, laugh, and forge friendships without the weight of the world bearing down upon their small shoulders.
In recognition of the critical role Summer Camps play in supporting the well-being and resilience of children in Ukraine – and HART’s vital role in supporting its National churches; we are privileged to announce that a loyal HART supporter has offered to help us raise funds for these two critical areas of our ministry. So…
Any donations made to either of these programs will be
matched up to $50,000 until May 31, 2024.
Learn WHY camps are critically
important for children in Ukraine.
Help us send thousands of
kids to camps this summer.
Learn more about what HART is
doing to support Ukraine.
Help us resource churches in
Ukraine to help those in need.
Videos
Ukrainian Christian groups face violent crackdowns from Russian forces.
Ukrainian Evangelical Leader’s Plea After Russian Attack Kills Pastor’s Daughter and Baby.
Articles
Social Media Is Designed to Divide Churches—So What Do We Do? How should Christians and churches respond?
This is an interview with Nataliya Bugayova from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). It provides a current analysis of where the war is at today.
Child Sponsor Program
In our last blog, we asked a caseworker to answer the below question. This time, we asked a graduating child the same question. Stella grew up in poverty, living with her mom, aunt, and two cousins.
QUESTION: What would you say to people in North America trying to decide if they should sponsor a child in Ukraine or not?
ANSWER: I would say that this program can be life-changing. When you are poor, you feel like the world has turned its back on you. However, here in this program, we learned there are people who care about you and your situation.
When I was little, I didn’t understand much. Yet, every time I saw my mother crying with joy when we were given food packages, this gave me hope that we were not alone; there are people who care and pray for us.
When we came to church, we realized that we would not be lost. We felt accepted and loved, which is very important when you live in despair and hopelessness. Our life story and all the changes we are experiencing are related to my participation in the Child Sponsor project. Stella
Stella’s words capture the profound impact that a child sponsorship program can have on a young person’s life. This program provides more than just material support—it offers a renewed sense of dignity, hope, and belonging to children who may have been marginalized and forgotten.
We CAN change the world – on heart at a time!
Pray for Ukraine, Pray for Peace
Here are specific prayer points that can help guide our prayers for the situation in Ukraine. Please share these with your friends and family.
