Pastor Ruslan’s Trip Near the Front Lines
Spanning four days of travel from February 13 - 16, 2023, Pastor Ruslan and two companions went to Druzhkivka, Ukraine, and stopped in the city of Dnipro on their way. In Dnipro they communicated with Pastor Andrii of the Church of Hope, and also Volodymyr, pastor of the Design of God Church from Druzhkivka. Their churches are 30 miles from the front-line fighting now taking place in the city of Bahkmut. This is also the area where a new Russian army push of force is actively building.
Pastor Ruslan and the other men distributed humanitarian aid on behalf of Music Mission Kiev (MMK). The provisions included pre-packaged oatmeal packets – a part of the 40,000 meals generously donated by No Child Hungry, a mission from Apopka, Florida, and a generator contributed by brothers in Poland. The No Child Hungry organization asked MMK to distribute the nutritious oatmeal to citizens with the greatest needs. To say the least, these needy individuals were not difficult to find. The generator was a highly essential donation from people in Poland to help ward off winter’s effects when electricity is compromised.
The benevolent trio then visited Ukrainian Army soldiers near the front lines. They prayed with and for the fighters and handed out food, including heartwarming artwork by children from the city of Zhytomyr and pillows hand-sewn by elderly women. People of every age in Ukraine are finding ways to help in the war effort. They are creating the perfect model of what it looks like when people are united in one goal, persevering as a society for the freedom of their country.
In Pershotravensk, the gentlemen were invited to join a meeting with military and volunteer Chaplains who elaborated about their work. They explained that volunteer Chaplains deliver food to individuals, and assist in evacuating people out of places where there is constant shelling, while Military Chaplains stay, pray, and inspire soldiers in flashpoint areas. Although it is still a growing concept and practice, Military Chaplains are new to Ukrainian military forces. An Army Chaplain is someone with whom a soldier can confide in about his fears and various other concerns. It is a daunting task and a great responsibility to listen, console, inspire and guide soldiers.
Pastor Ruslan’s trip was deemed very successful. It demonstrated once again how significant the contribution of evangelical churches is in providing care for Ukrainian people and instilling the seed of victory. MMK is very blessed and grateful to be connected with other countries that impart support and aid to Ukraine.