Uprooted by War: Three Years of Survival and Resilience

For six displaced refugees from Bakhmut, Siversk, Slovyansk, and Bilopilliya, life is an endless wait. War has taken everything familiar, leaving them to rebuild in uncertainty. Their words reveal loss, resilience, and fragile hope.
Mission Without Borders
15th January 2025
Six displaced refugees trying to rebuild their lives.

A Life Uprooted: Stories of Displaced Ukrainians in Rivne

For those who once called Bakhmut, Siversk, Slovyansk, and Bilopilliya home, life now feels like an endless waiting game. The war has forced them from everything familiar, leaving them struggling to rebuild in an uncertain world. Their words paint a picture of loss, resilience, and the fragile hope that sustains them.

Anna’s husband has been on the front lines for two years. Every day, she carries the weight of fear and waiting. “War is unjust,” she says, her voice breaking. “We carry the burden of loss and tragedy every day.” It’s hard to stay hopeful, but she holds onto gratitude—for the Mission, for those who help, for the day she might see her husband again.
Anna: A Heavy Burden
For Olena, home is more than just a place—it’s a longing, a destination she may never see again. “I’m already old,” she says, “but I dream of seeing my own town and my home again.” Slovyansk remains close to the front line. Her relatives stayed behind, their lives at constant risk. She worries. She hopes. “We try to support each other, and it makes our lives better.”
Olena: A Dream of Returning
"The uncertainty is killing me," Maksym says, his voice heavy with grief. Once, he had a home, a career, a community in Bakhmut. Now, those things exist only in memories. His diabetes worsens without proper medication, the stress carving deep lines into his face. “Hope for peace and positive change is fading. I feel stuck.”
Maksym: A Future Stolen
Nataliya never imagined her life would be reduced to a few suitcases and a crowded dormitory. Her home, her town—wiped out by bombs. “For several years, we’ve lived like this. It’s difficult to settle down and adjust.” And yet, she clings to small blessings. Work. A school for her son. Kindness from the local people. “Without the Mission’s support, I don’t know how we would survive.”
Nataliya: Living Out of a Suitcase
Danylo didn’t want to leave his home. He misses his friends, the laughter, the feeling of belonging. Here, in Rivne, he struggles to trust, even though the people are kind. “I worry about my father, who’s in the army,” he whispers. At night, he prays. “I can’t do it correctly maybe, but I do it sincerely.”
Danylo: A Child’s Prayer

The Silent Battle: Loneliness, Mental Health, and the Power of Christ

Beyond the physical destruction, war leaves invisible wounds—deep scars on the heart and mind. Loneliness settles in like an unwelcome shadow, isolating those who have lost everything. Anxiety and despair weigh heavily, especially for those who grieve loved ones still in danger or missing. For many, the future feels like an empty void, too uncertain to dream beyond survival.

In these moments of darkness, Christ becomes a lifeline. He walks with those who feel abandoned, speaks peace into the turmoil of anxious hearts, and offers hope when all seems lost. The love of Christ, shown through the kindness of strangers, through the provision of food and shelter, through a simple prayer whispered in desperation—these are reminders that they are not alone.

You Can Help Bring Hope

Lidiya: A mother's strength.
“I want to give them a better future, but I don’t know how.” Some days, the weight of it all feels unbearable. “Still, I understand that things will never be the same again, unfortunately.” Lidiya

Lidiya’s village, just 18 kilometers from Russia, is partly destroyed. But her greatest concern isn’t her home—it’s her three children, still terrified by the war. Yet, she clings to the kindness of strangers and Mission Without Borders unwavering support.

These voices from Rivne are just a few among many, each carrying the scars of war, each holding onto hope in their own way. Their lives have been uprooted, their futures remain uncertain—but through faith, resilience, and the kindness of others, they find the strength to keep going.

Right now, countless families still need support to survive and rebuild. Your generosity can provide essentials like food, medicine, and shelter—and remind them that they are not forgotten.

Join us in providing emergency aid to these precious people – and make a donation today.