As the war in Ukraine rages on, internal strife continues to plague the country’s people. “Today, in Ukraine, there are a vast number of people suffering from trauma,” says Diana*, one ministry leaders there. “Many people cannot cope on their own with what they have experienced or witnessed — death, violence, cruelty, assault. I am glad that God can use believers to identify these problems and provide help to those in need.”
Diana works with various churches in Ukraine and leads pastoral care seminars. These seminars emphasize the importance of providing support to individuals who have experienced various traumatic experiences and struggles with addictions. Through the study of God's Word, Sunday school teachers, women's and children's ministry workers, and church members involved in children's ministry learn how to become instruments of God for healing emotional wounds, offering forgiveness, and helping people find their purpose.
“Very often, during these seminars, God reveals those who are in deep need of His help,” Diana says. “Believers receive guidance on how to recognize when someone needs help. Many brothers and sisters have become instruments through which God transforms lives.”
Through one of these seminars, Diana connected with Liliya. “During a seminar, a woman shared with me that her teenage granddaughter, Liliya, had come to stay with her,” Diana says. “She had noticed changes in Liliya’s behavior. Liliya was withdrawn and spoke about the meaninglessness of life, even mentioning death as a way to escape suffering. We arranged a meeting so I could talk with Liliya.”
During their conversation, Diana established a trusting relationship with Liliya. Once she felt safe, Liliya tearfully shared that she had been gang-raped when she was a university student in another city. Her so-called friends had challenged her to prove that she was an adult and then gave her an alcoholic drink tainted with a date-rape drug. While she was under the influence of the drug, several young men raped her.
As other people on campus found out about what had happened, everyone around Liliya mocked her, insulted her, left obscene notes and bullied her. She felt "used" and worthless—destined, she believed, for a future as a prostitute and a drug addict.
Her life became a nightmare, and Liliya even thought about jumping off the roof of her university building. She had decided to drop out of university and, without telling anyone, take her own life.
When Diana shared the message of the all-forgiving love of Jesus Christ, Liliya began to think that her life could change. She learned that Jesus can help, support, guide, heal wounds, forgive sins and never remember them again. “A relationship with Jesus means being able to share everything with Him, accept Him as Lord and Savior, and receive His comfort through God's Word,” Liliya says. “I’m learning how to live and finding answers to all my questions. Jesus offers a new life, a fresh start, here and now.”
Liliya now lives in a different city and is continuing her studies at a different university. She is studying the Bible and is part of a community of Christian young people. “Sometimes, Liliya calls me to share updates or ask for advice about different life situations,” Diana says. “She has also improved her relationship with her parents, and they now communicate and have a good family bond. I’m so thankful for God’s presence in her life.”
*Please note that the names in htis testimony have been changed.
