Ukraine
Story of Nikita: A Ukrainian Boy’s Dream in a Frontline Village
Growing Up in the Shadow of War Nikita is nine years old, and he lives in the small Ukrainian village of Mykhailivka, where the war is not something you see on the news but something you feel in everyday life. Here, the echoes of explosions are often heard in the distance, evenings pass without electricity in darkness broken only by candles or flashlights, and air raid sirens slice through the silence to remind families that the front lines are not far away. For Nikita, this has become part of his childhood-not the childhood he would have chosen, but the only one he has known, like so many other children in Ukraine who are learning to grow up in the shadow of war. On the day when Russian aerial bombs fell on Zaporizhzhia, Nikita was standing near his yard, looking up at the sky. He heard the adults speaking in tense…
Story of Eva
Eva Korniychuk lives in the small Ukrainian town of Korosten. Since the first days of the war, her father has been serving in the army. For a long time now, there has been no such thing as “peaceful time” in Eva’s life. Every morning she wakes up with the same prayer-for her father, for his fellow soldiers, and for Ukraine. Eva goes to church and likes to help with everything. She helps with the youth group, sings on the worship team, and sometimes organizes games for the teens. But in her heart there had long been one question. At night, when she closed her eyes to pray, Eva often said: “Lord, I’m still a child… can You use me? What can I do for You and for other children during this time of war?” The answer came unexpectedly. During one youth meeting, the group leader shared something special. Mission Eurasia…
Roma’s Story: A Child’s Heart Open to God
Recently, a children’s Bible camp was held at the Reimer Center in Zaporizhzhia, a city just 30 kilometers from the front line of war in Ukraine. In a place where the echoes of shelling are heard daily, the camp became a refuge of joy, games, and friendship for boys and girls longing to escape the constant weight of fear and uncertainty. Among the children was Roma-a boy whose energy, openness, and eagerness to serve stood out from the very beginning. Every moment of camp was precious to him. He listened attentively to Bible stories, played every game with enthusiasm, and was quick to help counselors and encourage other children. For Roma, the camp wasn’t simply recreation-it was a place where he felt protected, needed, and deeply happy. The most powerful moment came after camp had ended. On Sunday, when the local church gathered for worship at Mission Eurasia’s Reimer Center,…
A Miracle for Inessa
The Inessa that our School Without Walls students visit today is unrecognizable as the same child that they first met two years ago. Today she is full of smiles and loves to have fun, whereas two years ago at a refugee camp in Verovka, Ukraine, she looked completely different. She was scared of everything, her hair was messy, and she would mumble under her breath about bombings and the toys she had to leave behind. Inessa and her family are originally from Yelenovka, a village located in the war zone in eastern Ukraine. Her parents were very involved in their local church, but sadly, after the conflict erupted and bombing attacks became more frequent, they were forced to flee the village, along with the rest of the congregation. They didn’t make it far, however, as the bombing attacks intensified, so Inessa’s family, and 26 other adults and children, were forced…
Valentina’s Story: The impact of Children’s Camps
Valentina and her seven-year-old daughter fled from Ukraine as refugees and found help and hope at one of Mission Eurasia’s partner churches in Poland that provides summer Bible camps for Ukrainian refugee children. The pastor of this church, Pastor Vitali, shares this story of how Valentina found salvation in Christ after inquiring about summer Bible camp for her daughter: “Heaven rejoices! One more soul has joined the family of believers! A woman named Valentina called me a few weeks ago and said, ‘Hello! I know that you hold children’s camps. My friend’s child was at your Christian camp. Please tell me, are you currently conducting classes for children? I would like my child to attend so she can learn more about God.’ “So I invited Valentina and her daughter to attend a Sunday worship service at our church last Sunday. Valentina listened attentively and cried throughout the entire sermon. As…
Victor
Living in a war is terrifying, and going through it alone is incredibly challenging. Victor knows this firsthand, as he has to hear with daily explosions in his crumbling house. Ever since his wife died, his once cozy home has gradually transformed into a place that barely resembles the welcoming place he used to return to after a hard day. Despite that, Victor stays home, unable to part ways with a place that holds countless cherished memories. In the war-torn village, life progresses from one shelling to the next, leaving Victor in constant uncertainty about the danger he will face each day. A rocket’s devastating impact recently struck his garden, causing irreparable damage to his home. There are now cracks in the walls, and the chimney isn’t working. With no other alternative, Victor continued to heat his stove. All the smoke stayed inside, making the house look worse, and causing…