Story of Eva
12.03.2025
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 was offering a new opportunity: churches in the United States were preparing Christmas gifts for children in Ukraine, and Ukrainian youth could help pack and distribute the boxes. The program was called Gift of Hope.
The moment Eva heard this, a thought flashed in her mind: This is it! She listened about the boxes, about children living near the front lines, about schools where Christmas might not feel like Christmas at all, and she understood that God was answering her prayer.
After the meeting, she approached the leader and quietly asked if she could take part in every shift, to help as much as she was able. The leader smiled: “If your parents don’t mind and you’re ready to work, we really need hands and a heart like yours.”
At home, Eva had a long conversation with her mother. Her mom knew how hard the separation from her father was for Eva, how many tears and prayers she had witnessed. And when she heard that her daughter wanted to serve other children, she saw God’s leading in Eva’s life. She paused, then said: “If God is calling you to this ministry, I won’t stand in your way. I’ll be praying for you, and for the people in America who give so that you can have these gifts.”
Then the day of packing finally came.
Eva was among the first to arrive. The large hall was already filled with boxes, bags, and lists. There were candies, school supplies, toys, warm hats, and gloves. Volunteers sorted items, filled boxes, and checked inventory.
But for Eva, the most important things were in a separate pile: children’s Bibles and Gospel booklets. Every time she picked up a Bible, she stopped for a second. Carefully, with special reverence, she placed God’s Word inside each box, on top of the notebooks and toys. And each time she prayed silently: “Lord, You know the child who will open this box. Let them read about You. Let this book become their true gift of hope.”
Then she added the candies, the notebooks, a small toy, a scarf or hat. And again she prayed, not only for the children, but also for those who made the package possible: “Lord, please bless that grandmother or grandfather far across the ocean who prepared this gift. Give them health. Let them know that You are using them to bring hope here, to Ukraine.”
Hour after hour passed. Her fingers grew tired from sorting and taping, her back ached, but her heart was calm and full of joy. Eva hardly noticed the time. She felt like a small bridge. On one side were believers in America—praying, giving, and preparing gifts. On the other side were Ukrainian children whose fathers were on the frontlines, whose homes were destroyed, and whose hope sometimes felt far away.
When the day ended, the hall grew quiet. Rows of completed boxes were ready to start their journey. Eva stood beside them and thought about each child who would open a lid and find not only sweets, but a Bible, not only a toy, but the message of the Savior.
She was very tired, but it was a special kind of tiredness—the kind known to those who serve God and others. Deep in her young heart, Eva understood clearly: God had heard her prayer, and He had used her to help bring hope to those who needed it.
The Ukrainian People Still Desperately Need Our Help!
Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced people are in desperate need of food, shelter, and the hope that only God can provide.
Donate today and help bring hope and healing to those whose lives have been shattered by the war in Ukraine.