Samaritan’s Purse continues to provide much needed staples to war-weary residents.
As the war in Ukraine continues well past 1,000 days, Samaritan’s Purse remains in the embattled nation where we have served since the beginning of the conflict. Our staff and partners are supplying bags of food to families near the frontlines in order to curb the ache of hunger and encourage them to persevere.
In eastern Ukraine, Viktoriia and her husband have been grateful recipients of our bags of food over an extended period of time because they are starting over. An enemy missile struck their apartment building at 5:20 a.m. on February 24, 2022, destroying the nest they had worked hard to create for themselves over decades. The couple escaped with little but breath.
“We survived, that is what is important,” Viktoriia said.
Viktoriia’s apartment building came under attack in February 2022.
Even without possessions, they opted to stay in their beloved city to help care for other war survivors like themselves. Employed at a city hospital, the couple works through shelling and blackouts to provide healthcare to other Ukrainians. They continue through the difficulties because they recognize the value of life.
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The war also touched Viktoriia’s spiritual life. She was baptized as a child, but her parents did not follow Christ, so any of her Biblical beginnings had grown faint.
“The war turned me back to God,” she said. “I understand that without His help and the support of the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse, I would not be able to overcome all the troubles brought to us by this war.”
It is hard to provide for a family on a healthcare salary in Ukraine, so Viktoriia is grateful for the food provided by Samaritan’s Purse. Arriving in bags colored like the Ukrainian flag, it helps them know they are not forgotten or alone. The bundles of hope in the form of groceries help them make it through another day and continue caring for others.
“Only the support of each other and faith will help us survive and fight all the troubles,” Viktoriia said.
As a Samaritan’s Purse staff member observed, “Viktoriia is sure that it is very important to encourage other people…during such a hard time. It is not a time to give up; it is a time to inspire others to do good.”
Please pray for peace in Ukraine. Pray also for continued relief to get to people in great need through Samaritan’s Purse and our ministry partners. Finally, pray for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed in this embattled region.
BECAUSE OF CONFLICT IN SUDAN, Amira* had to flee her home and seek safety in a displacement camp where she and her four children have little food. Her family is among thousands there who have received emergency food from Samaritan’s Purse. We are distributing food to people in communities affected by natural disasters, as well as people in war-torn areas. Your $35 gift can feed a family in need for a month and provide an opportunity to share the message of eternal life through Christ. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). *Name changed for security.
