News from Ukraine
Yesterday was a cold, gloomy, and sorrowful day.
Snow mixed with rain—a rare sight in April—fell from the sky, as if the heavens, the earth, and everything around us were mourning. It was a day of remembrance for those lost in the city of Kryvyi Rih. On Friday, in the middle of the day, a missile struck a playground where children were playing and people were simply going about their lives. Twenty people were killed, including nine children. Sixty-eight others were injured. Among them is three-year-old Timofiy, pictured here on the horse. In just three years, death has become a constant presence. Every day brings news of fallen soldiers and civilians. But no matter how often it happens, you never get used to it. And when children die, it feels as though time stands still. Life itself seems to stop.
Attacks on our cities have intensified. There was a massive rocket attack on Kiev yesterday, bombing continues in Kharkiv. The same happens in Dnipro, Zaporizhya, Odesa, Kherson… This is our enemy’s reaction to peace negotiations. The favorite game of Russians now is drone hunt for civilians. They think it is much cooler than computer games because it happens for real.
Sergey is traveling to Kyiv tomorrow. He often makes such trips, as there is a need to transport the wounded. This time, he’s taking Sasha, a soldier who was wounded two years ago. Sasha remains paralyzed but has not lost hope of walking again. Doctors are working to stimulate his spinal cord, so he needs to be taken to the hospital regularly. Although progress is very slow, Sasha is encouraged by the fact that he has started to feel some sensation in his legs — and this gives him hope. We also pray for the state of his soul, as he goes through periods of anger and depression.
We continue to lift up in prayer the soldiers from our church, as well as our friends and loved ones who are serving in the war. Recently, Paul Lukoshkin was granted a two-week leave, and his parents arranged a short trip for him to visit his brother—a small but meaningful family reunion.
It was a blessing to see Paul in church. In many ways, he is still the same—strong, composed, and steady. Yet there is a visible change in him. He looks weary, and he rarely speaks. When we greet him with hugs and kind words, he responds gently, even tries to smile. But everything about his demeanor quietly pleads: Please, just let me be. In Paul, we see the faces of so many of our military personnel—exhausted in both body and spirit. We pray for him, and through him, for all who serve. They are in desperate need of rest, healing, and peace.
It’s been nearly two years since we began establishing our Refugee Center. Step by step, we renovated the building and gradually welcomed people in. Today, it is home to three families and one single man. This man, Vladislav, is a soldier, recovering from a serious injury. When he returned from the hospital, he discovered that his home had been destroyed by a drone strike. We offered him shelter at our center, and it’s been moving to witness his recovery—especially through connection with others. Though he still struggles with mobility due to his wounds, he is constantly looking for ways to help. He joins in cleaning, carries firewood for heating, and always asks how he can be useful. His desire to contribute and remain active, despite everything, is both humbling and inspiring.
Seeing Vladislav’s determination and resilience has deeply moved us—and inspired a new vision. Our Refugee Center has become more than just a shelter; it’s a place of quiet restoration. This has led us to imagine something more: a Rehabilitation Center for soldiers—a safe, supportive space where those affected by war can find healing. Here, they’ll receive care through group therapy, counseling, spiritual support, and meaningful activities that help restore a sense of purpose and belonging. Because healing the soul doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in connection—with others, with purpose, and with hope.
We also ask you to keep Dr. Anya and her team in your prayers. They are currently in a very dangerous area, doing life-saving work under incredibly difficult conditions. Please, pray for their safety, and for the recovery of those whose lives they are fighting to save. And please, pray for rest for Anya. She is exhausted and misses her family deeply. Her husband is still in recovery, and she longs to be with him again.
Thank you for your prayers and for your support. Thank you to everyone who stands with our country in such a difficult time. May God bless you and may there be peace for everyone on this planet.
Please, send your donations to Pathway Ministries
Langston Haygood,D.Min.,Ph.D.
Pathway Ministries, Inc.
(205)835-3325
http://www.pathwayministriesinc.com
In Christ,
Lyuda
P.S. Here are photos of the playground that was hit by the rocket in Kryvyi Rih, a photo of Paul looking at his phone, and a photo of the support groups for war veterans, led by our counselor George.Ju