The Fellowship has been on the ground in Ukraine, distributing food to families and elderly people affected by the ongoing war. Sadly, recent bombings across the country have intensified, with the latest targets including food warehouses. This has resulted in food shortages, with empty supermarket shelves reflecting the growing crisis. Small, remote villages miles from major cities have long had trouble accessing food, but now the cities themselves are facing shortages. In response, The Fellowship has hosted special food box distribution events in Odesa and Kyiv, with more on the way in light of this news.
83-old Valentina is one of the elderly residents living alone in the small town of Pyriatyn, two hours from Kyiv. Pyriatyn was under Nazi control when she was born and was the site where thousands of Jews were murdered during the Holocaust. Valentina’s father, uncle, and grandmother were among the victims before she was born. As a result, her mother was left to raise four children on her own. The family was able to survive with the help of Christian neighbors who brought them vegetables to cook and hid them when the Nazis searched for Jews.
People continued to share what they had even after the war ended, as Valentina’s mother struggled to raise her children alone in poverty. Despite these hardships, Valentina grew up to become a highly educated woman, completing school and going on to study mathematics in college. She then moved to Kazakhstan to work as a teacher, where she met her husband. Years later, in 1992, Valentina returned home when her mother and sister became ill. She gave up everything to care for them until they passed away.
Today, Valentina continues her work of educating others—this time about the Holocaust and what she and her family endured. She speaks at memorial services held at the site where thousands of Jews were murdered. Valentina considers it her duty to remind people that there is still good in the world. Sadly, all her family members have since passed away, leaving her alone and vulnerable amid the current food crisis.
Valentina says this about the monthly food box support she receives from The Fellowship, “I will not only know about it. I will speak about it. Every year, at the memorial ceremony, I am given the opportunity to speak. I will not only talk about the tragedy, but also about the support we receive—from The Fellowship and from all the people who continue to help us. We are grateful to everyone. We need friendship. It’s the only way to survive.”
Christians supported and protected Valentina during the Holocaust. Now, they are once again showing her that she is not alone as she faces another nationwide crisis.
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice” (Proverbs 27:9).