Dnipro Hope Mission supporter, Hannah Evans, is a third year Speech and Language Therapy student.  She recently visited Ukraine to spend time volunteering with Equilibrium, our Equine Rehabilitation and Recovery Programme led by Margarita. She writes about why she went and her experiences below.

If you’ve known me for more than a few years, you’ll know that my heart for Ukraine all began with one man, Pastor Sasha. Prior to the war, Pastor Sasha told me all about his life and how he served his community as a full-time vet while also serving as a pastor at 3 different churches. Throughout the week he’d go all over Dnipro vaccinating farm animals, helping shepherds with lambing and providing care to sick animals across the region. Then on Sundays he would wake up and preach at his local church, drive to another church, and preach there and finally arrive at his third church and serve them. None of what he did should have been possible, he didn’t have the money or the time and yet God always made a way for Sasha and his family to faithfully serve their community and get through each month well fed, rested and debt free. The faith, joy and love he had in Christ was so evident that it completely changed my perspective on what it means to daily live life as a Christian. So, while it might seem strange for someone to leave the safety of their homeland in England and go to a war-torn country, I have felt this longing to serve God and the people of Ukraine ever since I met Pastor Sasha back in 2019.

Where I went.

Having sought refuge in Uzhhorod 3.5 years ago, Margarita set up the Equilibrium project to provide rehabilitation to children who have experienced trauma (which is pretty much every child in a country at war). Margo is studying ‘Child Psychology during Wartime’ and she uses her learning to continuously develop and improve the support for these children. “In the grounds of a beautiful organic farm, nestled in beautiful countryside, the children can ride horses, play, sing, dance, draw, paint and relax as they take part in a two-week programme of therapeutic activities.” 

What happened?

During the 2 weeks I spent in Ukraine, 1282 armed clashes occurred, 1202 targeted missiles and drones struck the nation, there were 832 shelling attacks, and 127 civilians lost their lives as a result. Around 100 Ukrainian children were forcibly transferred to Russian military bases and Chernivtisi, once considered a safe refuge for internally displaced citizens, was struck by Russian air forces for the first time. The devastation imposed on Ukraine is horrible, it’s unjust and inhumane and all people can do is hope that maybe an end will come, but it’s been over 3 years and there’s still no end in sight.

Around 20 orphans attended the project during our first week there. These kids had been through so much in their short lives and it was heartbreaking to hear some of their stories. The project was an opportunity for them to just enjoy themselves and relax. Children were able to express how they were feeling through a range of media which is something they hadn’t had much opportunity to do before. One child drew a picture of a tombstone and described it as “the only place I’ll ever get any peace.”

I just hope that the 2 weeks at Equilibrium gave her some sense of peace and showed her and the other children that they are loved, people do care and there is hope out there. At the end of their time on the project, each child was given a teddy bear (a hug) and a handwritten message from children in the UK reminding them that they are loved and that people all over the world care and are praying for them. Please continue to pray for these kids, pray that they would know that they are loved, that there is a heavenly Father who not only loves them but designed them, cares for them and has plans for each of their lives, pray that they would feel a deep sense of peace that surpasses understanding and that they wouldn’t lose the hope that they have. Let the bears be a reminder of this.

The following week a new group of children arrived. Equilibrium is great as it allows all children to come so quite a few of these children had physical or intellectual disabilities which prevent them from accessing other opportunities. They were able to express and enjoy themselves free from judgement and their mums were able to meet other parents facing similar situations. One child in particular was finding the war very difficult. Her dad was fighting on the other side of the country, her mum was working all the time and much of her hometown had been destroyed by Russian forces, her neighbours look after her and she plays with their children but all she really wants is to see her dad. Please pray that her dad would be safe so that she would be able to see him again, pray that the children and their families disadvantaged by disability would be provided with the support they need and pray for these children and their families to know the love of Christ and the peace that comes only through knowing Him.

Whilst in Ukraine, I had the opportunity to see Pastor Sasha again! This was completely unexpected, but I was so pleased to be able to see him after 6 years. However, the excitement soon wore off as he described the atrocities he’d seen. He now serves as a war chaplain, praying with soldiers and sharing the good news of Jesus with those on the front line. He helps people evacuate their homes as Russian forces move further into Ukraine, beds have been set up in his church for people to stay in before moving further. He explained how his van was attacked by missiles, he managed to shelter in a house with an elderly lady, but the van was ruined. A week later he learnt that the very house he stayed in had been turned to rubble and the lady who sheltered in had passed away in the attack. Drones, shelling, gunfire, and missiles are all a part of everyday life now, death and destruction are the reality that’s on his doorstep. Yet his heart still burns for Jesus, the way he lives his life still shows a compassion, a hope, a trust, an assurance that could only come from the Lord. Sasha is just one of the thousands of people shining in the darkness, spreading love and hope to the broken and sharing the good news of Jesus to those who so desperately need to hear it. Please pray for Sasha and his family, that they would continue to serve Christ faithfully as they serve their country and that He would continue to protect them as they go to the frontline and rescue people from shelling.

Please pray that there will be peace in Ukraine once again.

If you would like to support this innovative therapy programme for children in Ukraine, please go to https://www.dniprohopemission.org/donate/ and ref: Equilibrium.