Amid the darkness and fear of conflict, OM teams in Ukraine have been working to bring some light and hope to the community.
As the people of Ukraine approach their third winter in conflict, one of OM’s workers in the country reflects on the challenges and opportunities of the past six months.
Most people know someone serving in the military, and many have lost friends or family. Hensie (South Africa), one of OM's workers in Ukraine, is no exception. “I now have eight friends serving in the military and two fathers that I knew personally have fallen on the front,” she shared.
“The picture is not an easy one to look at. Add to that the amount of fresh graves and pictures of fallen soldiers on city and town squares all over Ukraine and your heart can barely carry the pain.
“But then there is the cross. The cross of Christ that can … that has carried all the pain, is carrying every heart willing to give that pain to the Lord. God has made it possible for OM in Ukraine to still continue to serve and support those in need. OM is one of only a few organisations still supporting humanitarian aid efforts and supporting churches close to the front lines.”
Offering support
In Rivne, the OM team leads a crisis ministry that supports internally displaced people, refugees, and children who have lost parents in the war and the police force. The team, led by OM ministry team leader Oleg (Ukraine), a senior chaplain himself, supports 25 police chaplains in Rivne by providing essential pastoral care and training that enhances the resilience of law enforcement staff. Their collaboration with the police cadet academy integrates the gospel into the lives of officers and cadets while addressing their unique challenges.
They also offer respite through fishing, football competitions, stress management, and team-building exercises. A recent fishing trip saw the OM team supporting the chaplaincy ministry by taking soldiers from the rehabilitation center, who have lost limbs, out to fish.
Additionally, the team distributes food parcels and operates a winter tent ministry that provides warmth, tea, and pastoral care. They also run an art studio and English club, offering children healing and hope while sharing the love and gospel of Christ.
Oleg shared the story of Tanya*, who found healing in art after losing her father on the front lines. "Initially burdened by grief, she discovered joy in painting, expressing her emotions through her work," he said. "Winning the international children's drawing contest "Wonder of Christmas" sparked her creativity. Now, she
joyfully attends painting classes, showing remarkable positive changes in her emotional state. It’s a privilege to witness her transformation through art and the renewal of her spirit."
There have also been outreaches to the elderly, war widows and orphans, seminars have been held for chaplains and team-building exercises for first responders.
Reaching all with hope
During June and July 2024, major cities had power cuts of up to 16 hours a day because of damage caused by drone and missile strikes. Despite this, OM’s teams continued to run a summer programme of camps, art classes, a day centre and, with OM's sports ministry, a School of Courage kickboxing training and cross-fit sessions.
Hensie said, “In June all our teams gathered to support a little church in the town of Borodyanka. For three days part of our team reached out to the kids on the public square. Our experiential learning trainers trained the local church team as well as other teams visiting from other cities, in working with teenagers.
“A group of six OMers joined local church members and social workers in visiting needy elderly and distributing humanitarian aid. The last group worked to chip wood to make briquettes for winter which the local church will use to reach out to their community.
“On the last day, the local pastor and his team thanked OM, saying that we have been a catalyst for their church. He explained that before OM’s support of their ministry, they could not see half of the potential that God had placed in their small congregation and that they are now inspired to turn the town around for Jesus. At present, they are building a small church hall and are already dreaming of acquiring the neighbouring plot in order to host a children’s summer camp in future.”
Light in the dark
The project closest to Hensie’s heart this summer was the last camp — an immersive theatrical experience camp. The OM team in Odesa welcomed a group of 21 volunteers, most of whom were teenagers themselves, to serve a group of 36 children between the ages of eight and 12.
“More than half of these campers have a mom or dad on the front lines and some of them have buried their fathers during the last year,” she said. “The theme of the camp was ‘a place where there will be no more darkness’ and the Way to get there. At present, with power cuts and no lights during curfew connected with martial law, the kids living in Ukraine are all too aware of how scary darkness can be — especially during air raids."
The volunteers, calling themselves the Guild of Adventurers, welcomed the campers as ‘players’ into the world of Eclipsia with the goal of finding the source of the darkness filling our world. Through carefully designed quests, Discovery Bible lessons and other activities, the campers finally found the temple of the black sun where they discovered that the sin in our own hearts is what causes darkness to fill the world. Of course, they also found out Who is Light that has come into the World and that the darkness — no matter how terrible cannot overcome our Lord and Saviour.
“With all the challenges we face it is easy to focus on the negative. However, God has been carrying our team in Ukraine so far and we believe that He will continue to do so — to inspire us with hope in order to share,” Hensie said. “Please pray for us as we continue to do so.”
*name changed