Mikhail and Galina Have Experienced Three Wars and Lost Everything Twice
“Mikhail, I had that same nightmare again!” Galina moaned to her husband as she woke up to the terrifyingly familiar sound of explosions.
It was 5:30 on February 24, 2022. Russia had just dropped its first bomb on Kyiv.
Tears rolled down Mikhail’s cheeks as he said to his beloved wife, “It wasn’t a dream. Hell has come after us here, too.”
– The war in Ukraine had begun.
This is already the third war that Mikhail and Galina have faced. Our team got to know them while distributing aid in the villages of the Odesa region at the end of March. Galina and Mikhail had fled to the outskirts of Odesa to live with relatives after losing their home in the Kyiv bombings.
As young children living in Luhansk, Mikhail and Galina experienced the horrors of war for the first time: explosions, tanks, machine guns, bombs, dead people, and endless tears. They survived, met each other, and later started a family.
After years of hard work, they were able to build their own small home, which they cherished. It had a garden where they grew strawberries and cucumbers. They anticipated peaceful retirement days.
But the dream of a serene old age was shattered before it ever began...
In 2014 war broke out in eastern Ukraine, destroying their home in Luhansk. By the end of 2019, 16,000 people had perished, and Mikhail and Galina were among the two million who were forced to flee. They had collected what was left of their material things and bought a small apartment near Kyiv with their savings. This was not what they had dreamed, but at least they could leave the war and death behind and spendthe rest of their lives in peace.
But then came February 24, 2022.
One bomb, and then another; explosion after explosion. Sirens howled in the early morning darkness as Mikhail and Galina rushed to a basement. One more huge explosion, and then there was silence.
After an indefinite period of time, those who had fled to basements for safety ventured out. They looked upon total destruction.
“Mikhail, dear, are you sure this is the right place? There is nothing here! Where are we going to live now?” Galina cried to her shocked husband as they stood in the ruins of their home.
Mikhail and Galina shared their story with our team with broken hearts. The war had robbed them of their dreams in childhood, youth, and now old age. They have lost, recovered, and then lost again despite their work. They feel all their efforts were in vain now that they have reached an advanced age, and there is no hope for a better future.
Our team listened to Mikhail and Galina. What can we give to those who have lost everything? We cannot give them back their dreams or make up for a lost home. But we can give them hope.
By listening, caring, and loving through practical help, we can show them that the world has not lost all humanity and goodness.
By telling the Good News of a Savior who knows their pain and suffering and has loved them so much that He died for them so they would not perish but have an indestructible home in heaven, we can give them hope that extends beyond death.
This help and hope is so desperately needed by those who have lost everything in war.
The author of this story is Alexander, a pastor, and member of our Odessa relief team
