News from Ukraine
During the war, there are hard days, very hard days, and days that feel almost unbearable. Hard days are when we live with constant attacks, sleepless nights, grim news, and worry for our loved ones. The hardest days are when we begin to lose hope and feel we cannot endure any longer. Like many Ukrainians, I have experienced such moments of fear and despair. Yet, time and again over these four and a half years of war, when everything seemed darkest, we found the strength to rise and keep going. By God’s grace, we have continued to live, work, and serve others.
Now we face another difficult period, with grim forecasts for the coming winter. The thought of living without electricity or heat while attacks continue is frightening and exhausting. Yet through these years, we have experienced more deeply the truth of God’s promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” We do not know what the coming months will bring, but we know that God remains faithful. Even when the future seems uncertain, He has not abandoned us. We trust Him to give us strength for the road ahead, courage to face another day, and hope to continue our work and serve those who need us.
Tonight after the attack our town was plunged into darkness. We are waiting and hoping that everything will be fixed, but our power plants cannot withstand such attacks.
The road to Odessa is very dangerous, especially the bridge and the checkpoint. The enemy attacks these points constantly. This road is our only connection with the rest of Ukraine and we periodically need to travel to Odessa for various reasons, which is always a risk.
A group of refugees who have been together for more than four years have become one big family, supporting and helping each other, and experiencing difficult moments together. Last month, a woman from the group passed away after an illness, leaving her eight-year-old daughter, Veronica, in the care of her grandmother, who also has health problems. Veronica’s father is a soldier recovering from a serious injury. In response to this tragedy, many members of our group have surrounded Veronica and her grandmother with warmth, love, and practical support.
I have been helping Veronica with her homework, driving her to and from school, and communicating with her teachers. Through this experience, I have gained a closer look at the challenges Ukrainian children face in their education during the war. They spend much of their school day in bomb shelters, and on some days, they must study online instead of attending school in person. Our teachers deserve special respect and appreciation. They are doing their best to keep children safe while continuing to provide an education under incredibly difficult circumstances. Their dedication is truly admirable.
Our counseling center continues to serve many clients, each with different needs and challenges. Alongside individual counseling, we also run support groups. Next week, we will begin a new group for people struggling with anxiety and fear. Our previous group, “Island of Peace,” was a wonderful experience. Over 12 meetings, the women grew stronger emotionally, learned practical ways to manage difficult feelings, and discovered how to support both themselves and others. They also found comfort in God’s Word, learned to trust Him more deeply, and were encouraged to rely on Him in difficult circumstances.
Our counselor, George, leads support groups for veterans in Odesa. We are now planning to start a similar group in our town, which will require George to travel from Odesa to lead the meetings. Please pray for his safety, especially as he travels along some particularly dangerous stretches of the road.
Last week, I met with two young women, Tetiana and Irina, who were referred to our center and met our counselors. They expressed a desire to join our ministry and work with children. We are grateful to see our ministry growing, allowing us to reach more people and support children who are especially vulnerable during this time of war. Please pray for Tetiana and Irina as they prepare for this work and receive the training they need to serve these children effectively.
Thank you for your prayers, love, and faithful support. Your partnership helps us continue serving those who are suffering and bringing hope, comfort, and the love of Christ to people affected by the war. Please continue to pray for Ukraine, our ministry team, and all those who come to us for help. May God give us strength to persevere and faith to trust Him in the difficult days ahead.
Please, send your donations to Pathway Ministries:
http://www.pathwayministriesinc.org
In Christ,
Lyuda
P.S. You’ll find attached a short video of the road connecting our town with Odesa and the rest of Ukraine, photos of little Veronica and her grandmother, our women’s support group, and the veterans’ group led by George. There is also a photo of George with his son, Gleb, who lost his leg in the war.
