Visit with Valentina & Aleksandr P. from Druzhkovka

Whenever we speak of Donbas or Druzhkovka, we are referring to the eastern front of Ukraine where the military conflict with Russia continues and soldiers are still being killed. This area is a place where we are investing more and more of our time, talent, and treasures to assist people like Valentina and Aledsandr who are under constant threat of losing everything they have, including their life.

Irina remembers how we first met this family. Bad luck comes in threes. Their son died in an anti-terrorist operation. They also lost touch with their daughter and didn’t even know where she was. Alexander (goes by Sasha), the husband, was going blind because of diabetes. 

Valia, his wife, attended the local Light of the Gospel Church and often told her husband about God, but he wouldn’t listen. She invited Irina hoping that her husband would be more willing to listen to a stranger’s testimony. And he did listen. At first, Irina told Sasha about MMK and why we come to Druzhkovka. But as soon as Irina mentioned God, he got aggressively resistant. It was a long conversation, and the Holy Spirit was touching Sasha’s heart. Irina then gave him a chance to repent and reconcile with God. There was a deafening silence for a couple of minutes, and then they heard, “OK, I’m ready to do it!” Sasha prayed, and they all rejoiced with him and gave thanks to our Lord!

A year passed since then, and we were there again. Sasha is now completely blind. He also had gangrene on his left leg, which was very painful. Despite her own disability, Valia takes care of her husband. Sasha was happy to see us, and we had a long heart-to-heart conversation. As Irina shared this update with us, tears welled up in her eyes—tears of joy and gratitude for the privilege of serving people.

Alexander was a different man—no complaints, no rumblings, no anger! He shared how God helped them cope and how he and his wife read the Bible, prayed, and trusted God together.

We brought them food, and when we learned that he had no glucometer (strips for measuring glucose) because their pension is so meager that they couldn’t afford even cheap drugs, we bought it for him, too.

Wiping away tears, they thanked God and our mission and support!

We left, and as Irina was writing this update later, Liuba called to tell her that Sasha died! Liuba and Dima were bringing them painkillers, and as Valentina, Sasha’s wife, opened the door, she shared that he had died an hour before!

Dima went to report it to the police while Liuba stayed with Valentina and helped wash the body. Then Dima returned, and they laid Sasha’s body in a coffin. That’s what kind of people Dima and Liuba, our missionaries, are. They have such big hearts to serve people in the name of Jesus Christ!

We know Sasha is with God now, and it brings us peace of mind and great joy. Thank You, Lord, for not leaving us, sinners, and having mercy on us.