Into the light in Ukraine

Last week we posted a story about Captain Oleg Sanoilenko helping youth to engage with The Salvation Army through games and fun group activities. Himself a Ukrainian living in Poland, Oleg understands the importance of finding a sense of community. Now, we share with you a story republished from Salvos Online from their journalist Simone Worthing. At present, Simone and her husband, Cliff, are on deployment with an International Headquarters Emergency Services team, assisting at various churches in Ukraine and they celebrated The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Young People with young people in the area. 

It began with an invitation after the Sunday service of worship at the Vinnytsia Corps (church) in Ukraine. A few young people offered to take my husband, Cliff, and me on a walking tour to show us the history and beauty of their city.

We were surprised but delighted that the young people would volunteer to spend time with us “oldies” and they were equally surprised that we accepted.

People still go to work, children go to school, and ordinary activities continue. But so do the air-raid sirens, the drones, the missiles, the destroyed lives and homes, the grief and the exhaustion.

In so many ways, we could’ve been anywhere in the world on this (northern hemisphere) spring evening; children playing in parks, outdoor cafés full of people, music playing and the sound of laughter.

Except we weren’t. We were in a country at war. The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. Its impact can be seen and felt everywhere, despite the laughter, the music and the signs that life goes on.

And yet, in many ways, life doesn’t go on. People still go to work, children go to school, and ordinary activities continue. But so do the air-raid sirens, the drones, the missiles, the destroyed lives and homes, the grief and the exhaustion. Life goes on, but at the same time, it is on hold.

Some of the young people with Cliff (right) in front of a statue of Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovychthe

They still face the challenges many young people around the world encounter as they grow spiritually, socially and emotionally, and they carry the added burdens, complexities and pain of war.

And so it is for the young people of The Salvation Army in Vinnytsia. Yet their growing faith, reliance on God, and energy and positivity bring a joy and hope that seem to rise above the challenges and encourage all those around them.

‘Many of our hopes and dreams may be more difficult to obtain right now because of the war, but we still have them, are doing what we can, and are trusting God to direct our paths and our future.’

This was the overwhelming sentiment among this small group of young people who showed us around the city that night. As we walked through parks, down boulevards and rode trams, they spoke about their faith, their service at the corps, their beloved youth and Scout groups and their hope for the future; both now and when the war is over.

They still face the challenges many young people around the world encounter as they grow spiritually, socially and emotionally, and they carry the added burdens, complexities and pain of war. Yet they focus on God, his strength and his will for their lives as they serve, study and look to the future.

Simone (second from right) with some of the youth walking in the city of Vinnytsia

Despite the grinding impacts of war – one many have grown up with – the faith, love and energy these young people embody bring hope and joy to a nation in need of light in dark, desperate times.

Kyiv youth

The young people of The Salvation Army in Kyiv showed a similar spirit; a desire to serve God, the church, their peers and their community as they continue their studies and work towards a future that is anything but easy to navigate after more than four years of war.

Their openness to learning was both inspiring and humbling. They actively participated in seminars and Bible studies on caring for self and others, team building, emotional intelligence, communication, trust, working together and problem-solving. They asked questions about psychological safety, the compassion of Jesus, social justice, inclusion, leading and loving pre- and early-teen groups and God’s will for their lives.

‘I want to improve my English, and I want to improve everything I am doing and learning,’ said one youth leader. ‘I know God is leading me and I want to respond.’

Their friendly competition with youth groups from other Salvation Army corps (churches) was heartwarming. Their love of music, fashion and technology was familiar. Their maturity and ability to face and work through issues that no young person their age should have to face were inspiring and humbling.

Despite the grinding impacts of war – one many have grown up with – the faith, love and energy these young people embody bring hope and joy to a nation in need of light in dark, desperate times.

And times are desperate. Many young people are grieving the loss of parents and loved ones at the front; many have served and are dealing with mental, physical and psychological scars; many have turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of loss, grief and horror; many have no one to turn to and many more are suffering in numerous ways.

The youth of The Salvation Army in Ukraine face many difficulties and challenging life circumstances too, but their lights continue to shine; sometimes flickering, sometimes bright as they focus on Jesus, the source of light and hope.

A group of young leaders

Youth and children

On The Salvation Army’s International Day for Children and Youth (27 April), churches across Ukraine celebrated the day. Children and young people led meetings, read the Scriptures, collected offerings, sang, played and served snacks.

In Dnipro, the children studied Matthew 18:3, learning how much Jesus loves children and what it means to be a child of God. They also focused on Ephesians 5:8, learning about shining as lights in the darkness.