A soldier’s mission in the dark
The burning fragments of metal ripped through Vitaliy’s body in a flash of light and heat.
Still conscious and numb from the shock, the hardened Ukrainian soldier checked himself for blood, but couldn’t find the full extent of the massive injuries to his legs, arm, and head.
Then, blackness.
28 days later, emerging from a coma, the darkness remained on waking. Sitting up in his hospital bed, Vitaliy listened to doctors explain his trauma and why he couldn’t see.
During an advance with his unit on a counterattack between the eastern Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Luhansk, Vitaliy had hit a hidden mine which had showered his body with shrapnel. Sharp pieces of plastic and metal had pierced his head, severing one of his optic nerves and damaging the second.
He was now blind.
Faith kindles the light of hope
It’s not the first time the 24 year old has faced challenge and hardship. As a frontline soldier, Vitaliy had experienced life-threatening moments in combat.
But his remarkable, rock-solid faith and sense of purpose had seen him through them all.
He remarked,
“Every hard situation that happened and I survived, I knew if God keeps me alive, I must have some mission here.”
During his two months in hospital, a further three on medical leave, and rounds of rehabilitation support, Vitaliy felt grateful for being saved from death and couldn’t shake the feeling he had been saved for more. He regularly recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah “Here I am, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8b, NIV)
Motivated to work and to support his comrades, he soon found himself as part of the medical team at Ukraine’s Halychyna Rehabilitation Center, helping other injured soldiers as a masseuse – the job he does with passion today.
Vitaliy quips that his lack of sight is not a hindrance. “All the other masseuses have two eyes, but I have ten” he says, referring to his fingers with a smile.”
Strength from the spoken Word
Listening to an audio Bible translation has been a huge help for Vitaliy. Although he lives in darkness, hearing Scripture gives him comfort and hope, and strength to carry on.
He reflects, “Maybe it would have been easier if I hadn’t been in a coma. But I’m still happy because you need to value what you have.”
Despite his personal challenges, Vitaliy remains confident in God’s provision for his future. Due to the nature of the damage to his vision, there’s a possibility that therapy and medical advancements might help restore some of his sight one day.
Pray for healing of Vitaliy’s vision, and that his faith would encourage other soldiers.
Vitaliy’s audio Bible was produced by the generosity of people like you donating to Biblica. To help others like him live out their God-given purposes, give a gift today.
