Pastor Igor Bandura, Vice-President of the Ukrainian Baptist Union, shared the following: Among the most painful consequences of the Russian war in Ukraine is the growing number of widows and orphans. Since official statistics on the number of soldiers who died at war in Ukraine is not made public, we can only speculate how many young women have lost their loved ones at war. How many families, parents, children, relatives have suddenly lost someone they loved and cherished? The news about perished soldiers reaches every village and town. More blue and yellow flags are flying in graveyards each day, a sign that the person buried died in action defending Ukraine. Behind every flag there are tears, unhealed wounds, deadly sorrow and despair. Oftentimes these families lost their sole breadwinner, but all have lost a dear, beloved person. The wounds of these people are deep. The church in Ukraine is faced with a challenge – to see people who have lost their loved ones, warm them with love, and respond to their social, physical, and spiritual needs.
