The ten-hour journey back home to Romania from Ukraine leaves SGA-sponsored missionary Pastor Mihai Chidesa looking exhausted, which is unsurprising having been delivering aid to those in Ukraine who are in desperate need of it.
He speaks of how, even in areas where there is little visible evidence of the war, you can feel the tension that results from seemingly everyone in Ukraine having lost someone to the brutal conflict that continues to be fought there.
One such person was Antonina. When Mihai visited her in the little village of Illynka, 20 miles north of Odessa, she told him how she had recently lost a son in the war. Mihai hugged her as he handed over a bag of essential supplies – and told her that Jesus loves her.
Another that Mihai visited was Valentina. It’s humbling to hear how she is praying for those in the West whose gifts have enabled Mihai to bring her a few essentials.
Mihai admits to sometimes getting tired of helping, but as long as he has his health and the wonderful support of his wife Felicia, he is determined to answer God’s call on his life – a call that commands all of us to love one another, just as Jesus loves us.