Hope in the Midst of Struggle in Ukraine and Belarus
In 2017, KidZ at Heart sent its first team to the southwestern region of Ukraine, and this trip formed relationships that have lasted through many challenges.
We worked with churches in the villages of Bolgrad, Izmail, Reni, Plavne, and Ozoerne from 2017 to 2020. These areas have multiple ethnic backgrounds, denominations, and cultures, including Bulgarian, Turkish, Moldovan, Romanian, and Ukrainian. In spite of the differences, each year they would come together to be trained in transformational children’s ministry.
In March of 2020, our team was in the town of Reni, eating dinner with the hosts from our training when we were told that a world pandemic had been declared. While we did not have any indication of the virus in this area, we had to fly back to the US immediately to return home before the borders were shut down. Unfortunately, we have been unable to return since that trip.
In 2021, the virus had a stronghold on the Eastern European countries and travel was impossible. In February of 2022, Russia ramped up its invasion of Ukraine. The people we had built relationships with were dealing with sorrow over lost loved ones from the pandemic, loss of jobs, and now fear from the war as they did not know when their homes and even their lives might be in danger.
Even through all of this struggle, the partners that we’ve trained continue to understand the importance of ministering to the children in their communities. In Reni (which is a port city that connects Romania and Ukraine), one of our partners, Michele, and Light for the World church continue supporting children in need. Another church, the host for KidZ at Heart’s training, continues to hold Bible clubs and even had a 3-day children’s camp. This work continues to happen even as ferry crossings are bombed and travel becomes either unsafe or impossible.
In Izmail, the children’s director and his wife spent countless hours putting together Bible lessons for children to do at home with their families. Tatyana sent me a message showing me how she used our training to help her put these lessons together.
In Bolgrad, Evgeniy was a teenager when we first came to his church. He wanted to talk to us so that he could practice his English. He had a heart for worship through song. He is now a missionary bringing music camps to children in Ukraine in order to help them process their fear and grief.
In Bolgrad, we also met Pastor Nicholai and his daughter Natalie. They came to every training no matter where it was held. In 2020, our team was blessed to attend Natalie’s wedding. She tells me that most of the young couples in her area have left for other countries. Natalie and her husband (and their new baby girl) are leading in their community as pastor and servants in the church.
Belarus is another country affected by political unrest at home and connection to the war in Ukraine outside. In 2019, KidZ at Heart sent a team to a church in Minsk and began training. This church brought together over 120 people from throughout Belarus and Russia. Again, because of the pandemic in 2020 and then the progression of the political unrest, we have not been able to return. We didn’t have a chance to build very close relationships in this area since we were only there for one visit. But, our hearts were joined with the hearts of those we met as we learned about the persecution affecting Christians there.
The church in Minsk had bought their own land, turned a large cow shed into a sanctuary and even kept enough wood to feed a generator for electricity. However, the government took this building from the church, forcing them from the land. Their pastor was also arrested for a time. Even so, they have continued to find places to meet to worship together. Their faithfulness in sharing God’s love is astounding!
I’ve been able to keep in touch with one of the ladies who traveled from Moscow to Minsk to attend our training. I find encouragement in knowing that even though she only attended 2 Modules of our training, she has put into practice what she has learned in her ministry to children. She began using the practice of Hearing God through Scripture immediately with her children and has enjoyed seeing how they connect to God even through the struggles that they face. Even though Facebook is banned in her country she continues to send me updates and blessings periodically.
One of the greatest joys of working with KidZ at Heart is the relationships we build with our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. These leaders demonstrate faith, peace, service, and so many other traits on a daily basis. There may be times when we are not able to see some of them again, but the connections of the body of Christ remain strong even across cultures and distances. The fragility of our world makes us desire to move as quickly as possible to get indigenous leaders ready to lead the ministry of KidZ at heart after we are no longer allowed to visit them.
That is why KidZ at Heart is a Global Christian Community.
Becky McAllister, Chief Program Officer