Youth Team Return to Hospital for Wounded Soldiers

This week offered another meaningful opportunity to visit soldiers recovering in the hospital. Many of these courageous individuals have suffered severe injuries, with a significant number losing limbs. In response to these needs, Music Mission Kiev (MMK) purchased adaptive clothing tailored for the wounded. These specialized garments, featuring Velcro fasteners, are essential for those facing such challenges. While they are more expensive than regular clothes, they provide vital comfort and dignity to those in recovery. The soldiers and hospital staff expressed gratitude for these thoughtful gifts.

The visit, organized by Vika R., Serhiy B., and members of St. Paul's Church youth ministry, involved collaboration with the hospital’s department head and a psychologist. The MMK group dedicated over three hours to the patients, ensuring that each received clothing suited to their specific needs. Familiar faces brought joy, and the occasion also allowed for introductions to many new patients. Beyond the material support, the visit fostered meaningful conversations, the sharing of news, and, most importantly, opportunities for prayer. In a touching display of solidarity, teenagers with disabilities, unable to visit the hospital themselves, contributed uplifting drawings to brighten the soldiers’ spirits.

Initially, when the MMK group first started visiting the hospital, their offers to pray were sometimes met with hesitation, as the ministers were not Orthodox priests. However, over time, the soldiers have become more receptive to prayer for their personal needs - whether for upcoming surgeries, family issues, or emotional healing. Some close their eyes in reflection, while others watch attentively, but none turn away from the support offered.

One soldier, touched by the group’s unwavering presence, remarked, “You do so much for us. You keep coming, you don’t stop, and you don’t get tired. Many have given up, but you are still here. Most importantly, you give us the warmth of your embrace and inspire a desire to keep living. You do it with such sincerity. We are immensely grateful. You thank us for defending you on the front line, but now we are the ones who want to thank you.”

These powerful moments resonate deeply with everyone involved and leaves no one untouched. Doctors have observed remarkable emotional transformations in the soldiers, while the young volunteers are inspired by the tangible impact of their efforts, eager to continue their service. MMK is profoundly grateful to God for opening doors and providing us with the resources to support these soldiers during this arduous recovery phase.

Rooted in faith, hope, and love, this mission stands as a testament to the enduring power of human connection and the will to heal. MMK’s Vika, Serhiy, and youth group members exemplify a forceful lesson for all of us to emulate.