Dear friends,
As we drove east from the Polish border, I admired the brilliant spring green of the trees and underbrush. At one point I saw six or seven “hedgehogs” – tank-stoppers made of railroad ties – beside the road. Hedgehogs and military checkpoints would become a familiar sight.
As I began visiting our community in Zhytomyr, I saw that ministry is neither consumed by war nor totally normal. We’re back to pre-war routines: social dorm lessons, crafts at the Day Center, moms’ meetings. But everyone worries about loved ones at the front, and supports those who are grieving.
Cooking in wartime with orphaned youth
None of the students who live in the social dorm had evacuated, and on Wednesday, I joined them at culinary lessons. Staff member Krystya made sure I helped with the borscht! Some of the students were shy, some outgoing, some comfortable in the kitchen and some less so, but each one sought our staff for hugs, jokes, or quiet conversation in the hallway. Director Yulia said this is the best day for many youth – there’s food, and everyone is together.
Reminders of War
All over Zhytomyr are reminders that the war is close, including missile damage. On Wednesday after culinary lessons, three staff members drove me to the place where a missile struck early in the war. A staff member’s church and a new apartment building were damaged, and a nearby school largely destroyed. In the mural on one remaining wall, black angels over Zhytomyr represent each child here who died because of the war.
Trusting God, planning for the future
On Friday, I sat in on a staff meeting. Stop the Cycle director Oksana led a planning session for summer camps, and after lunch, bookkeeper Lillia gave instructions about record-keeping. Her meticulous work is a great gift.
Later, I went out for coffee with our Educational Outreach team. Four of the five joined LB after the war started. I wish you could hear their stories! They humbly shared their lives of active service, compassion for students, and good humor. Behind the culinary lessons, craft days, mentorship, advocacy, and other services is a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination where every team member matters.
Your generosity is at work in Ukraine
Even in the first few days of my trip, I saw your dollars at work in the staff’s evident love for orphaned youth. I heard that love in conversations, smelled it in the borscht that steamed into the room, saw it passed from hand to hand at the table. All this, while not far away a school is a pile of rubble.
Please keep praying for this amazing community. In spite of the horrors of war, my colleagues are serving with passion and enthusiasm. Thank you for being part of our “big team”!
Emily Millikan
Communications Liaison