Stories from Ukraine

Watch and listen to their stories.

Vica and her children, Mihail and Gavril, came to stay with her mother in our center.

They came from the Herson area and were quite bewildered, always talking and telling us how they had to leave and what the situation was at home. They were amazed they could get help from us, people they had never known. 

The boys loved to play in the children’s room and were happy to hear they could take whatever toys they liked with them.

They went to Bulgaria trying to find a place for themselves, moved several times to different locations, and after four months of pilgrimage, they decided they could not live away from their homeland, their family, so, with all the risks there are for them, they came to us to host them on their way back to Ukraine.

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Alexander stayed in our refugee center for a longer time, almost a month.

A man in his 70s with various health problems living alone needed a place to stay, food, clothes, and medicine. But whenever we met him, we realized that he also required friends because the family he had left was in Uzbekistan, and now he was trying to find anyone to connect with and find himself a new home.

He made good friends with Armen and Archie, who came to our center and stayed a couple of times because they were traveling to Ukraine, and the distances were quite long to cover without getting some proper rest.

They even spoke on the phone several times as they connected so well and together encouraged one another as they knew better what was happening in what they used to call home.

Displaced, far away from their dear country, away from their friends that now are everywhere they could find a roof. Uncertain of the future, unsure of their purpose and what they can do for those still left in Ukraine.

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Armen used to live in Nikolaev with his family and because of the war they decided to leave everything behind and go to an European country that will be their home until things settle. 

He took his wife and children somewhere in the Republic of Ireland, made sure they are making ends meet and he decided to return to be of any help to his Ukrainian brothers and sisters. So with the help of Archie, a good friend of his, he got a van and started to carry things into Ukraine. 

We met them while standing in front of our church with other people talking. They passed our church building and saw the Ukrainian flag hanged outside the building with the written words “Help for Ukraine”.

They came to greet us, but we invited them in and offered something to eat, and because they had been traveling for the whole day in the heat, we told them that they could use our facilities and take a shower. They were so thankful for being received so warmly, but I think they were even happier and encouraged to see a place available to Ukrainians in need.

They were very tired as they drove for a long time and we invited them to stay overnight. They accepted and the second day they were such an encouragement for those that were in our center at that time.

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There was this family with their children in Suceava airport, I didn’t know them, but there was something about the parents and the children… it was obvious that they were Ukrainians trying to fly away in a country that will be more stable and peaceful.

I took a picture of these children to remember them in prayer. You don’t see the worry and the stress on children’s faces; it’s somehow not expected in an airport.

As we were waiting with our friend in line things got very emotional. A volunteer translator started to speak very agitated to the people at the check desk. The parents started to rub their hands and kept asking themselves questions. The children’s eyes started to roll in every direction, they were quiet but even more worried.

It seemed that the volunteers that helped the family to get a flight forgot to check them in, so now they needed 250€ for the check in, money they didn’t have. They knew no one, they were in a foreign country and the chance to fly was minimum without the check in.

The translator kept asking them questions, but they kept showing their empty hands… so the translator started to speak loud and tell the people in the queue that this family with 3 children, which everyone could see it was a modest family, needed money to fly.

It was such a wonderful moment there in the airport as people started giving them a little money. It was a moment to treasure. You could see everyone standing along to help this tired family.

The translator went with the needed amount in the smallest notes to the check-in, but they refused to take cash… I was so happy to use my credit card for them.

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Please also remember that in prayer, our pastors and volunteers are growing tired and need to be ministered to themselves. We feel the overwhelming workload ourselves. But we press on.  

Many thanks and blessings.

Pastor Catalin and Paula Croitor

Betleem Baptist Church of Suceava, Romania

Prayer requests for Suceava Baptist Association:

1. Pray that we will be able to be good hosts for our American friends.

2. Pray that our pastors and churches can take in all the blessings the GCA team will bring through their example, teaching, and service. 

3. Pray that SBA will go forward, led by God's vision, to reach the lost.

4. Pray that SBA will be able to plant more churches in strategic areas and provide pastors to lead these churches.

Voices of Impact

Dr. Michael Stewart

Having been to Romania, I witnessed the immense needs and the incredible work being done. GCA's partnership is a lifeline for these communities.

Regional Ministry Director Santiago Rodriguez

Joining the mission trip opened my eyes to the urgency of the situation. Every contribution, every prayer, makes a lasting impact.

Pastor Chris Cole

Working with SBA and GCA has shown me the power of collective efforts. Together, we're providing not just relief but a message of hope.