Ministry in Kherson
As we drove back home from Kherson, there were so many people and stories that kept running through our minds. I felt like if I don’t start typing out the details, they may slip away and I don’t want to miss anything. The world needs to know. You need to know what russia is doing to the people of Ukraine.
This trip to Kherson was different. In both amazing and terrible ways. Our trip consisted of four very special meetings.
The Village of Chereshenky
We started out in our beloved village Chereshenky. We decided to change our program up a bit this time. We brought snacks and drinks that we could enjoy together. We brought volleyballs, soccer balls, and crafts so that we could interact with the kids and teens. As some of the team was playing with the kids, others were able to talk more with the adults.
God did so much through our time together. We prayed and sang together. One lady shared how scared she was of dying but she felt that her time was close. She didn’t know if God could forgive all of her sins. We prayed together and she prayed and asked God to forgive her. Pray that she truly knows or comes to know our Savior.
Vitalik and Luba
They are a dear couple we met last summer after the dam was bombed in Kherson. We helped them pump out water from their basement, shovel out the mud from their house, and try to salvage and hang clothes or items they had left in the house. They then moved to a different house where we visited them every trip to Kherson.
About a month ago, Luba had a stroke because of major stress after a mass bombing in Kherson. She was so active and is barely able to walk now. We called them when we arrived in Kherson and they asked us to come to their old house. Luba met us at the gates hysterically crying. She said that just last week they bombed their house they had been living in. Everything burned. They have nothing AGAIN. she could not stop the tears. A few months ago, she asked if we could buy her a new blanket. She said she didn’t mind using other second hand items but she wanted to at least die under her own clean blanket. She couldn’t stop hysterically crying. The house they are currently living in again is in terrible condition after the flood. They are trying to get it ready for the winter. The region they are in is one of the most dangerous in Kherson, very close to the river. The other side of the river is still occupied by russians.
Pavel and Maya
Our team met this sweet couple last trip as they were walking down the street, Maya is in a wheelchair from a stroke. They decided to stop and give them some aid, promising to visit them next trip. We kept that promise and went to their house yesterday. She shared about the occupation they had to endure and how they’ve all gone a little crazy. She could not stop the tears. Every time she would start talking, she hysterically cried. We sang Christian songs for them, Maya cried and asked who wrote such songs? She had never heard anything like it. We shared about God and asked if we could pray for them. They said sure but they didn’t know how to pray. They thanked us for the aid we brought, but most importantly thanked us for the spiritual support. Pray for their salvation.
Pastor Sergey and church members
We have known this church since our first trip to Kherson. They are still actively ministering to the people of Kherson. They cried and shared the fears and struggles of their current reality. russia has been attacking the city for over 2 years, but it has heavily increased and they are targeting civilian pedestrians and cars with drones. The bombing is so heavy and they are so weary.
As we drove home and I wrote this email, all I could think about was the comfort and “safety” we get to go back to as we leave these people behind. I think about the village kids who are forced to grow up in a war zone in constant fear. Luba and Vitalik as they are probably falling asleep in a moldy and rat infested house as it occasionally shakes to different explosions. They can only hope and pray it doesn’t hit them next. I think about Maya and Pavel who are so emotionally and physically drained and distraught. I think about the faithful saints who have stayed in Kherson to serve these dear people. It is so hard to leave them in the reality they face daily. We wish we could take them all with us.
As we were driving back, our van broke down about 1.5hrs into the trip. 6hrs away from home. We prayed and asked God to help us get home. Our options were to tow the 4ton van with my (Sam’s car) or wait 6 hrs for a tow truck to come from Vinnitsa. But we also needed to get 6 passengers back to the city. As we were standing at the gas station, I noticed a tow truck fly by. A few minutes later, a guy on our team decided to try to catch him by car and see if he could tow the van by chance. It turns out, the tow truck driver had stopped a couple miles down the road to use the bathroom. He said he could tow it and even had room for 6 people! Also, he was on his way to Vinnitsa. What?! Only God.
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