In November, our team of chaplains and volunteers had another precious opportunity to continue our Ministry of Mercy in the East and South of Ukraine.
We prepared carefully, gathered generators, food, Bibles and other practical supplies, and prayed together before setting out. Our desire was simple - to stand with our defenders and with courageous Ukrainian families living where war continues to bring fear, destruction and uncertainty, and to remind them that even there, the light and love of Christ can still reach them.
One of the servicemen travelled with us from Kyiv. During the long journey, he spoke openly about the realities of war, and our conversations gradually turned to faith, life and Scripture. When we arrived in Zaporizhzhia, he invited us to stay at his home. We shared a meal, spent the evening talking together and, before leaving early the next morning, drank army tea and prayed before continuing our journey.
Over the following days, we met servicemen and civilians across Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. One of the most significant moments was our visit to the 37th Marine Brigade, where we were welcomed into their underground base.
There we met recently mobilised men, professional soldiers and volunteers carrying an enormous responsibility in the defence of Ukraine. Christian musicians travelling with us shared songs, and we watched expressions change - from uncertainty to interest, from tiredness to emotion, and sometimes even to tears.
We spoke words of encouragement and told the soldiers that people in Britain continue to value their courage and sacrifice. We reminded them that they are being prayed for and that many people far from Ukraine have chosen to stand with them.
Then we prayed together.
Standing in a circle, shoulder to shoulder with these brave men, we prayed shortly before some of them were preparing to leave for a particularly difficult assignment. In moments like these, words become very simple. You pray for protection, strength, wisdom and peace, and you place people into the hands of God.
We had brought generators, blankets, medical supplies, practical equipment, Bibles and New Testaments. At one location, we were not even sure whether a generator would be needed.
The soldiers told us that only the day before their position had been hit and their generator destroyed. They were already rebuilding.
We looked at them and said, “Perhaps we are not simply the answer to your need - perhaps we are the answer to someone’s prayer.”
That moment seemed to capture the meaning of the whole journey.
A generator is practical equipment, but there it meant warmth, light, communication and the ability to keep going. A Bible may look like a simple gift, but in the hands of a soldier facing uncertainty it can bring hope, strength and the beginning of a new relationship with God.
This is why these journeys matter.
Throughout our time with the Marines, we were accompanied by Vyacheslav, a full-time chaplain who faithfully serves the servicemen and knows their needs first-hand. At the end of our visit, with the approval of the brigade leadership, he presented us with commemorative awards from the 37th Marine Brigade in recognition of the ministry and support being given to their servicemen.
Vyacheslav also recorded messages of thanks in English for our friends and supporters in Britain. He expressed deep gratitude for the support Ukraine continues to receive and emphasised something important: this support needs to remain consistent and ongoing because the war continues.
We received both his words and the awards not simply as recognition of our team, but as an expression of gratitude to everyone who prays, gives and helps make this ministry possible.
Because someone in Britain gives, a generator reaches a position where one was destroyed. Because someone prays, a chaplain can stand shoulder to shoulder with servicemen before a difficult assignment. Because people continue to care, Bibles, food and practical help reach those living and serving where the realities of war are felt every day.
We promised that we would return - and we will.
We are already planning to be with our defenders again at Christmas and, by God’s grace, to continue these journeys as often as we can. There are still many servicemen and families who need practical help, prayer, friendship and the assurance that they have not been forgotten.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who makes this unity possible. We pray that the Lord will preserve and strengthen it, protect all who serve, bless every family standing with Ukraine and finally grant our country the peace for which we have prayed for so long.
With deep gratitude and prayers from Ukraine.