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It was difficult to anticipate what we would feel stepping on Ukrainian soil after hearing so much from back home.
There are parts of daily life here that feel very normal, even familiar to life back in Chilliwack: a river walk, farm land, quiet neighbourhoods, a walkable downtown with coffee shops, ice cream stands, and shopping. There are short hikes and a waterfall nearby, that double as a ski resort in the winter.
We are roughly 1200kms from the front lines of the war, but the reminders of the ongoing invasion are ever present, even for a visitor.
The Town centre square houses the remnants of a Russian missile that hit the area, while photos of fallen heroes are decorated around its perimeter. Military and police check points are common, with all men needing to show proof of paperwork that release them from active duty. Key bridges are heavily guarded. Cyber attacks shut down point of sale terminals at major stores. We passed a caravan of 10 escorted semi trucks loaded with weapons heading to the front lines. Phones provide Ukrainians constant notifications and warnings of incoming drone and missiles, while fellow citizens upload videos and photos of real time events in their communities near the front lines.
We had a fantastic time with our first retreat group, 16 ladies from Bucha and Irpin who have lost husbands and sons during the war. When the women arrived, we were prepared to take care of the hospitality end of things (cooking, cleaning and hosting in the retreat house) but what we didn’t prepare for was the way our new friends ministered to our hearts. From the moment they arrived, the ladies welcomed us with open arms and took every opportunity to encourage us.
In the evenings, Mary’s brother Peter would lead ministry times around the campfire under the stars. The family, the ladies and our team would join together and sing, pray, share and listen. It was an honour to be trusted with the stories of grief, pain and hope that were shared.
As our new friends board the train to head West back to their homes, we reflect on their desire to remember their fallen heroes. We join them in this, and from now on, when we pray for those suffering the pains and injustices of the war in Ukraine, we will think of their stories, their faces and their prayers. And we begin to look ahead to another group of women and children arriving at the train station tomorrow and ask God to prepare our hearts and theirs for all that is in store for us this week.
-Zack & Carson
