The ugly part is the war. I have met many who have fled their homes. Families divided, where husbands have stayed behind while wives and children are abroad. Add to this the stories of war crimes.
The most beautiful moment was when I visited a village north of Ukraine's border with Romania, together with the leaders of the relief work supported by Danish European Mission donors.
50 people from a congregation in Mariupol had fled to this village and had been given a nice shelter in a church in town.
The beautiful moment was when I met a team of missionary doctors from several countries who had traveled to Ukraine to help. They work with the relief teams supported by Danish European Mission donors to provide free medical care and pastoral care to the refugees from Mariupol. There were Christians from Kazakhstan, Americans and me from Danmark. It was as if Christians from all over the world had traveled to Ukraine to help. The atmosphere was very high when we ate together in the evening. One by one, the participants stood up and briefly told their story about why they were in Ukraine, what it meant to them to be here, and how God was working.
There were Christians from Kazakhstan, Americans... and me from Danmark. It was as if Christians from all over the world had traveled to Ukraine to help
It was a beautiful expression of the global church in action, ordinary Christians, at a very critical time in European history since World War II. The refugees not only receive food and medical care. They also receive pastoral care and prayer, they meet people who listen to them and are there for them. Christians who pass on God's love, comfort and care.
In a war like this, in times of need, some people seek God in Ukraine - and in faith in Jesus they can find an indestructible life.
I am grateful that the Danish European Mission, on behalf of many Danes, is allowed to play a small part in what God is doing - in the midst of evil and destruction.
