Ukraine Archives - Biblica Europe

A question from the war zone

Posted on July 2, 2025July 2, 2025 by Biblica Europe

“How can I be sure my sins are forgiven and find true inner peace?”

A man named Samir* sent in this question to Biblica’s Arabic social media team.

He went on to explain that he thought following Jesus’ teachings would be the way forward, but he couldn’t get hold of a copy to find out what these teachings were. (While Jesus or “Isa” appears in the Qur’an, His teachings about life are not recorded.)

The Biblica team began by sending him a digital copy of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Arabic, which Samir had never read.

From there, we took him through the full Christian understanding of the Gospel, fromAdam and the Fall all the way to the cross, where Jesus provided redemption for all.

In the middle of our conversation, Samir asked a bold and honest question:

“If a Muslim wants to convert to Christianity, what should he do?”

We responded simply: Pray and invite the Lord Jesus into your life as the one true God.

Reaching the unreachable throughout the Middle East

A few days later, Samir logged on again, and that’s when he told us that he was from Gaza. In the middle of an unspeakable war, he still couldn’t stop this spiritual searching. It was heartbreaking to imagine his situation. The team paused to pray with Samir, asking the Lord to surround him with peace and protection in the turmoil his people were enduring.

Right then, during that time of prayer, Samir gave his life to Jesus.

When we next get to speak to him, we will teach Samir how to pray as a follower of Christ. Please continue praying for our new brother and his loved ones!

People feel compelled to seek Christ in every imaginable situation around the world. Sometimes, it can feel impossible to share Jesus’ teachings with them as it’s illegal to own a Bible, talk about Christianity, or the situation is too dangerous.

But seekers are finding answers remotely and online through Biblica MENA’s Arabic social media team and the faithful work of our discipleship partner Media Impact International. In just six months, over 6,600 enquirers like Samir have been able to discover and engage with the message of Jesus in their own language.

As you pray for peace in this region, please join us in also praying for all of the spiritual seekers in the Middle East, whatever their situation. Thank you for joining us.

*This person’s name has been changed for his protection

From Trauma to Triumph on the Frontline

Posted on May 19, 2025May 19, 2025 by Biblica Europe

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.

We found treasure in Ukraine

Posted on August 4, 2024October 28, 2024 by Biblica Europe

My name is Olena. I grew up in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region.

In February 2022, my husband and I were expecting our second child, a little boy. Our daughter was four and a half.

On February 24, we woke up to the sound of war. A few hours later, the city was under heavy shelling. All my friends were sent home from work.

A month of fear

We didn’t have a basement, so there was nowhere to hide from the rockets. For almost a month, we lived in complete fear, hiding with our daughter as best we could, sleeping in the corridors and in bomb shelters. Three houses on our street were completely destroyed.

At the end of March, my doctor told me they were no longer accepting patients and I’d have to look for a maternity hospital in another city. Volunteers took us out and brought us to Poltava, about 180 miles away, where our baby boy was born. It took almost all of our savings to relocate.

A child leads the way

About a month later, we were invited to the local church. For several months, we came solely for humanitarian aid. There were always people there ready to talk and support us, but we never took them up on it.

In May, my daughter and I were invited to a children’s club. We began attending these events from time to time, but all these stories remained mere fairy tales for me.

It was our daughter who became most interested in God. She always asked questions about Him and wanted to watch cartoons about God. I didn’t know much and couldn’t answer her questions, but when we were invited to a service last winter, my husband and I went together. Our child was given a New Testament – the Treasure Hunt Bible. It was written for children, but we were very interested in reading it ourselves! It had lots of questions in it that we could all think about together.

The most valuable treasure

Our daughter made us pray and read this Bible with her every day. I thank God that last autumn, my husband came to faith, and in the winter, so did I.

In this new town, we found the most valuable thing – faith in God! It all started with a children’s book, but now our lives have completely changed.

You sent this Bible to Olena’s family!

Do you remember our 2022 Christmas appeal? Many of you gave generously to send Treasure Hunt Bibles, newly-translated into Ukrainian, to children experiencing their first Christmas as refugees. Olena’s little girl was one of them. A £5 Christmas present has changed the lives of her whole family forever. Thank you so much from Olena and us!

To support this ministry and others like it, you can give a gift here today.

Tag: Ukraine