For over two years, Ukrainians have lived in a chaotic, frightening reality, and unfortunately, the situation has only worsened since the Danish European Mission's field coordinator was in Ukraine to oversee the relief project.
Our field coordinator tells us that the war could already be felt upon arrival at the Kiev railway station. The atmosphere is tense and air raid sirens sound frequently, both day and night, as a constant reminder of the presence of war. Many Ukrainians are worried about their family members at the front, wounded returnees, and the risk of being mobilized into the army.
The church in the war
However, when you look at the church, the smile begins to spread, even though the church's relief work is not far from the front. Not because the church is not burdened by the war, but because the beauty of the church is that it is the church in the situation it is in. "Many Christians are determined. They want to serve Jesus, and they do so very actively. Both in caring for others and for each other. Their attitude as Christians and as a church was exemplary, and that spoke volumes to me. The attitude they have, their surrender, devotion and the love they radiate to other people. Even though they themselves are needy and struggling, they have a surplus of wanting to serve their neighbor. And that charity was very powerful to experience," says our field coordinator after his visit to Ukraine.
"The attitude that Christians have, their surrender, devotion and the love they radiate to other people. Even though they themselves are needy and struggling, they have an excess of wanting to serve their neighbor."
- Field Coordinator in Danish European Mission
One phrase he heard repeatedly was: "It's the hardest time we've been in, but it's also the best time." This is because the situation is constantly deteriorating, making it hard to stay hopeful. Some have lost heart and there is a need for prayer for God's grace and strength to continue the ministry. At the same time, there is a great openness towards the church and its work. Many have a positive view of Christians and the love they show.
Meeting a woman who had been an atheist all her life
He recounts an encounter with an elderly lady who had fled to a small village and was receiving emergency aid because of support from Danish European Mission donors. She had been an atheist all her life, but said of the Christians' help: "It's real and I can see it." This encounter with Christian love has led her to start reading the Bible. "That's the hope and the light in this situation - that many aid recipients will have an encounter with the love of Jesus because of the heart-filled service of Christians," he says.
