As we drove from west to east, and got closer to the front lines of the ground war, life in “the public” became more and more scarce. Gas stations and markets were closed ... sources of fuel and food hidden and well protected.
As we arrived in the Donbas region of Ukraine, and more specifically into the village of Lyman (Google it … formerly occupied by Russian troops, now regained and held by Ukrainian troops) , two things struck me. The destruction and the desolation. But it would soon become evident that life and purpose existed among both.
Those who had already left had done so because they had the means - the provision to do so and family or others in safer locations to accept them. Many of those who remained had neither. This had been home for decades (yes, an older population), and they seemed to be staying put regardless of the risk ... regardless of which country would dictate their life and future.
We pulled into the courtyard of a group of flat (apartment) buildings. Five or six large separate buildings, all 5-6 stories high. As we exited the van, it seemed like we were the only ones there. Then an older woman came up to us and Pastor Andrej shared with her that we had food and medicine to share. Within five minutes, 30+ men and women had made their way out of what was left of their living spaces.
Some flats were intact, some were not. Those whose homes had been destroyed were living in the flat building basement spaces, or had since occupied other flats that had been abandoned. But it became shockingly evident that there was a significant population of Ukrainian men and women who were living in the wake of the war, and had nowhere to go.
Before we gave out food and medicine, Andrej and Volodymyr, the pastors from Tal’ne that we have been working with, gave out the hope of Christ with the message of the Gospel and their personal testimonies. Compassion is not empty … is not temporary … when it is accompanied by the Hope of life with Jesus. A message that was not lost on the nearly 200 men and women the Lord brought us there to serve.
Andrej asked me to share something. In the moment I thought to myself “What can I bring that would help and encourage these brave and resilient men and women?”. So I simply told the story of the son of Ukrainian immigrants, that grew up in the United States, was called by God to the country of Slovakia, and now had the honor of being His hands and feet to serve the country and people of his grandparents. It was my story. I thanked them for their courage and their example to stand up for the country they love. And I assured them that my small testimony is evidence of God's faithful presence and His love for them and for all of Ukraine.
As we left the Donbas, I couldn't help but reflect on what a privilege and honor it was ... the small part the Lord gave each of us to play … to be His love and compassion for a people and a country who needs just that.