For many years, the care of widows has been a prime concern of SGA, and this continues today from the care shown to grieving women by the ladies of an SGA supported church in Kyiv.
Two years ago, Olenko Kokovkhina and Aliona Akopdzhanian started a ministry to those in their city who had lost a husband or a son, a brother or a father, to the ongoing conflict. What they offered was simply an opportunity for these ladies to be heard, to talk of their loss with someone who, rather than withdrawing from them, was prepared to listen to what they wanted to say.
Initially there were just ten women who attended the group but now there are ninety who gather regularly to not only chat, but to be wept with, even as they themselves weep.
Where there is a specific need, the church has been able to offer some financial help and assistance with childcare, but it has been the time that these dear ladies have been given by those who have shown them love that has enabled genuine friendships to slowly form between those who mourn and those who they have consequently come to trust.
With that trust have come their questions. Questions not only about why they have suffered such loss but questions too about God.
Inevitably of course, not all the women’s questions can be answered. But by treating each one as an individual and being careful to avoid simplistic explanations for their pain, there are some who, despite their sadness are learning what it is to smile again, some who, having seemingly lost all hope, are now finding new hope in Christ.
Pray for this important ministry, and for the many others like it across Ukraine.