Voice of Ukraine

From: Lyuda Betina in Belgorod Dnestrovsky (Day 1065)

In the beginning of this week, all attention was focused on the inauguration of the President of the United States. On this day, there was a lot of talk about peace and the possibility of stopping the war. The concept of peace resonates in our hearts as something necessary for life, something without which it is impossible to exist normally. The desire for Peace has become the main aspiration, we pray for it, we talk about it, we think about it. We want peace so much, peace where there are no sounds of air alarms and explosions, that wake us up at night, where there are no deaths, wounds and torturing. When I was thinking about this, the words of Jesus came to mind: peace be with you. The peace that Jesus speaks of is much greater than a cease fire. It is peace in hearts, it is the ability to overcome impulses of hatred and desire for revenge when you see death and grief. This is the peace that we, counselors, are trying to give our clients now during the war. This is the peace that people need not only in Ukraine but all over the world.

One of the places of peace in our ministry is our Refugee Center. There are three families living there and two weeks ago we settled one more person there. This is a soldier recovering from a serious injury.

While he was fighting at war, his house that is located in Odesa area was seriously damaged by a drone during one of the attacks. Vladislav is 38, he is single, he is a teacher of history by profession and before the war he worked at school. He also traveled a lot and participated in archeological excavations of historical sites. It’s interesting to talk to him, he can tell you many interesting things. His mother died few years before the war and he has no family. Vladislav had a serious abdominal wound as a result he has almost no intestines left. He has undergone one major operation and will have another one in a while. He keeps a strict diet. We are glad that can be with him now, help him with transportation, talk to him and care about him.

We maintain contacts with many soldiers. Through Dr. Anya we contact the wounded in hospitals and send them aid. We are grateful for the opportunity to communicate with the military. They do not go to counseling purposefully, but by providing assistance we can communicate, listen to them and, having gained their trust, we can help them cope with PTSD and other problems. This is an opportunity for us to bring a little peace to their wounded souls.

We do more home visits now. We visit elderly and disabled people whose life revolves around TV news. Unlike other people they don’t like to talk they like to listen and this is also an opportunity to tell them about what can give peace and hope.

When communicating with people it is very important to help them find those positive moments that can support them and help them cope with the difficult situation in which we all find ourselves now. It could be some little things that we don’t always pay attention to, for someone it is a flower that blossomed on the windowsill, for someone a melody that he can hum, it can be a call from a friend or a favorite cookie with a cup of coffee. I also try to find such things for myself.

I am always happy when I come to church during the week and see our young people there. Yesterday we congratulated a girl on her birthday, for whom we were very worried a year ago. She had many problems, but so many things changed for the year and now she came to church with her friends to celebrate her birthday. This is where she belongs, where she feels peace and security.

I also find joy playing with the dog. At the very beginning of the war, a Collie appeared in our neighborhood. It seemed he had either gotten lost or his family had to leave unexpectedly. This dog has brought immense happiness to our community. My neighbors named him Druzhok, which means “friend.” He radiates positivity, energy, and love. Druzhok knows all of us—he’s aware of when we leave and when we come home. He waits for us, overjoyed when we have time to play with him. Together, we care for him, feed him, and cherish the peaceful moments he brings to our lives.

I thank you all for your support and help and wish you peace and love. Let’s pray for our leaders.

Please, send your donations to:

Pathway Ministries
E. Langston Haygood,D.Min.,Ph.D.
Pathway Ministries, Inc.
288 Huntington Parc Circle
Birmingham, AL 35226
(205)835-3325
http://www.pathwayministriesinc.com

In Christ,
Lyuda

P.S. Photos below show meetings of our refugee groups in our town and in Odesa, the parcels for the military and their feedback photos, kids who live in our Refugee Center with their pets and me playing with my dog.