Ukraine: The miracles that bring you closer to God

‘War is like a marathon. It wears you down.’ Rostyslav, who works for Bible Society, talks about how the war has affected him, their work, and the country.

How are you after a year of war? 

To live a year in a full-scale war wears you down, even if you are not at the front lines. The whole nation has been affected. The whole nation is mobilised, and no one can stay away or take a break from the war. We civilians have never been prepared to withstand this amount of stress, and emotions that fill you daily can ruin you. 

Eventually, we all come to understanding that we should try taking basic care of ourselves in order to last longer. From the sprint mindset, we had to switch to understanding it is a marathon.  

On the other hand, just like with having your first kid, you find strength you never thought you were capable of. In the ministry field, there is no greater motivation than knowing your every effort counts, every Bible given away is capable of changing someone’s current condition and future. But it does wear you down, so we all are looking forward to the day when the war is over, and we all can take a break. 

What are you most scared of? 

The biggest fear for me is that the war lasts for too long, to the point that we all lose our pre-war identities due to the violence and tragedies we experience every day, and that the nation will just go into downfall. To avoid this, there is no other way, I believe, than just force ourselves, individually and collectively, to stay connected to the source of humaneness and guidance, the Bible. 

How has the war changed the way you think about God and faith? 

Unfortunately, in order to survive all the sorrows, at times, we stop being as sensitive to pain around us, in us and in other people. Too many deaths, too much pain: you won’t last for long if you allow your emotions to flow every time.  

On the other hand, witnessing how fragile your life is, this causes you to turn your thoughts to God, to eternity, to spiritual things. Yet, witnessing those miracles that happen around you, is also something that brings you closer to God. Finally, you are thankful for very basic things: light and warmth in your home, a good night’s sleep or a quiet morning without sirens, being with family, fellowship with the others and many more things. 

What supplies do you lack the most? What are people’s major needs? 

As the Bible Society, we are mostly concerned about having enough Bibles. Every time our teams head to the front line and recently liberated areas, the Bibles we take always run out way too soon. There is always someone left without the Bible. 

There are other practical needs: food, basic hygiene things, medicine and warm clothes. In many areas, people need flashlights, power banks and portable stoves. 

How can we help? 

Do pray for peace in Ukraine, for the victims of war, the Church, the Bible Society and all ministers and volunteers. We know that everything is in God’s hands. 

As the Bible Society, we always need more Bibles. The needs exceed our supplies. What’s important is that we have an incredible infrastructure of churches and organisations working with the victims of the war, so what we really need is to print more Bibles and they would be distributed in a meaningful way. 

Do you dare to think about the future? What do you hope for, both personally and for Bible Society?  

We do think about future a lot. Of course, it is hard to make any firm plans since things change very rapidly. Still, we try to prepare ourselves for various scenarios, both as an organisation and as individuals and families. 

For the Bible Society, these current circumstances are truly critical and decisive for the future of our nation and our organisation. We are sowing the seed as never before. Millions of people have been exposed to the word of God, who would have never done otherwise.  

Has anything happened that’s made you feel closer to God? 

I especially appreciate what is related to me and my family: a shot-down rocket fell just 500 m away from my parents’ home, destroying only an old barn; my wife and son have been welcomed by a great family in a foreign country whom we never met before; my ability to meet them from time to time; even the very fact that God has spared me and many people whom I know from any serious illness since the beginning of the war.  

Do you now have a favourite Bible verse that gives you strength or guidance? 

I have a special selection of those passages that help me in moments of discouragement.  Philippians 4.6-7 is my number one favourite. It says, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.’ 

The Bible is truly incredible because you can always find something that speaks to you in a very special way in your situation. This is why our ultimate task is to make the Bible accessible to as many people as possible.