“This Is Not Our Home; Heaven Is” | Remembering Two Years of War in Ukraine

Three to four times each day, our team in Eastern Ukraine listens to the sound of air raid sirens. Though God has mercifully protected the children we serve, the emotional, mental, and physical toll of war is great.

This February is two years since Russia invaded Ukraine. Since then, many thousands of soldiers and civilians—including children—have lost their lives, and many children have lost one or both of their parents, leaving them orphaned and extremely vulnerable.

The realities of war are devastating. But Lifesong Ukraine & Poland Director, Denis, shares another side of the story. As we remember the past two years and continue praying for Ukraine, we invite you to read and reflect on Denis’ words below—

In February of 2022, the war came into our home.

Horror, distress, destruction, and death of a magnitude we have never seen before. Hundreds of bridges, thousands of homes, hospitals, schools, businesses, and shops—destroyed. Most tragic, are the thousands of lives being lost. New orphans are created every day.

I’ve said to God, ‘Lord, we’ve prayed so hard for the war to be stopped, and it’s not stopping.’

But perhaps I don’t always pray for the more important things God is trying to accomplish. Now, my everyday prayer is for people in Ukraine to be known not only for their resilience fighting but for turning their hearts to Jesus, and to the orphans and families in need. This is how we can become stronger and more united, and it’s how David won the battle against Goliath.

I’m learning to focus on what God has placed right under my nose: the ministry opportunities of a lifetime.

Since the war began …

• More Lifesong ministry sites across Ukraine and Poland are developing. We serve children in 31 locations and have held 62 camp programs in 2023.
• 177 staff and 432 volunteers provided 5,900 orphaned and vulnerable children with meals, education, and safety.
• In Western Ukraine, we’re building a Trauma Care Center where we provide Gospel-centered trauma care and safe housing so the fatigue and anxiety of the war can be overcome.
• We’re also seeing more Ukrainian families adopt, including one with two biological children who have chosen to adopt eight more because of the war.
• Lifesong Farms Ukraine exported 651,697 pounds of blueberries to Spanish supermarkets after restoring one of the farms hit by five bombs dropped by a Russian military jet at the start of the invasion.

Lifesong Ukraine and Poland have never grown so much.

At Lifesong, we stand by a four-part pledge to the children we serve. The first part of the pledge affirms our commitment to teach orphaned and vulnerable children the Gospel and how to live as a follower of Jesus Christ.

While I’m not able to stop the war, I know the One who can.

And He has already won! Neither the United States nor Ukraine nor Poland is our true home; heaven is. So let’s do everything possible in our hands, and God will provide the rest. I’m not inviting you to go physically to the frontline trench in Ukraine, but it is your choice whether you are on that front line spiritually.

On behalf of Lifesong Ukraine and Poland, I’d like to say thank you for being faithful, for not forgetting, for pressing on, for living, stewarding, and praying like you never have before.

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Will you help orphaned and vulnerable children in Ukraine experience the hope of the Gospel?

When you give to Lifesong, you show orphaned and vulnerable children they are seen, known, and loved through Gospel-centered holistic care. Thanks to TMG Foundation, 100% of your gift goes directly to helping orphaned and vulnerable children.