Glimpses of Light through Our Work in Ukraine
BERT DOKTER, Mission Possible International Director, pictured distributing food packages in the Odesa region
Warmth for the Winter
As the war continues, so do power outages. And steep price increases make people’s already challenging circumstances even worse.
This year again we are distributing firewood to families who cannot afford it.
Svetlana and her five children live very modestly in a small house by the bay. When our truck delivered a load of firewood, a relieved smile spread across Svetlana’s face as she thanked us repeatedly.
Bert Dokter shares about his mid‑November visit to Odesa to meet our Ukrainian team:
“Life here is constantly stressful. Every night when going to bed, you must be prepared for an air‑raid siren and hope your children don’t wake up terrified.” This is how Tanya Galichenko, leader of our Ukrainian ministry, described daily life as we sat together in Mission Possible’s office one morning. Other team members soon joined us, and I asked how they are doing.
KUVA: Snizhana (vas.), Nastja ja Angelika suunnittelemassa ohjelmaa raamattukerhoihin.
“The sun is shining, and there was no drone attack last night—what more could one ask for?” Snizhana laughed. But I knew her smile hid deep worry. Her father is at the frontline, as is her husband, whom she married just as the war began. They didn’t even have time for a wedding celebration…
Snizhana and her sister Angelika lead Mission Possible’s children’s ministry in villages in the Odesa region. In September they were joined by Nastya, who has a degree in psychology. The three of them sat together preparing the next day’s program.
In recent weeks Odesa has been relatively quiet. But in surrounding areas, several drone strikes have targeted power facilities. Electricity is available only at certain hours, there is no gas in the villages, and homes require firewood for heat.
“One cubic meter of wood costs about fifty dollars and will last about a month. Some elderly people have monthly pensions less than ninety dollars—they desperately need help,” Tanya explained. Our team has been delivering firewood just as we’ve done the past three winters. We also distribute packages of food.
At night we woke to an air‑raid siren. The attack was farther away, so we did not need to go to the shelter.
In the morning I joined Dima (Tanya’s husband and our staff member) on a trip to the wholesale market to buy food supplies. During the coming week, those would be organized into aid packages.
In the afternoon we drove to the villages of Mayory and Kagarli to hold children’s clubs. Mission Possible has been operating in these villages for years. During the war the work has grown and become more effective. Many children have a father or brother at the frontline—or worse, missing or killed. Therefore our program also includes trauma counseling for women and children.
The children ran joyfully to greet Snizhana, Angelika, and Nastya. First we played outdoor games that the children energetically engaged in. They participated eagerly in the indoor program of a Bible lesson and activities as well. In the craft session prepared by Nastya, the children choose colors that reflected their feelings from the past week.
It was dark when we said goodbye to the children and drove back to Odesa. The next day the women visited two other villages and Dima delivered firewood. I had to make my way back home.
Our work continues in the Odesa region, and it is truly needed. For many children, our Bible club is one of the few bright spots they have each week. Practical help supports both families and the lonely elderly in difficult times.
Through these visits, God’s love becomes visible in simple practical ways, bringing hope to those living in fear and uncertainty.
