Robbed of Their Childhood

SGA Missionary Peter Vladechak shared pictures of children from his region (Chernighiv), and refugees from Sumy and Kherson.  Here children hide from artillery fire coming from across the border, they can hear the sounds of nightly rockets overhead.  Here they are without their fathers, as they fight in cold and miserable conditions on the frontline to protect their families.  As you look at the faces of these children, recognize that Christmas morning brings no joy.  The gifts handed to them through Immanuel’s Child – the gift, the Bible and the star – were a blessing, but not enough to revive their tired hearts.  Their faces convey that reality of their childhood, which has been stolen from them. 

Peter conveyed that there is no “new normal”, for there is no normal.  Each day is filled with stress, unsettledness and a longing for quiet and peace.  There is a developing resignation that their lives may never be the same.  Peter conveyed his gratefulness for all that SGA does and asked that we pray for peace in the hearts of many – especially the children. 

The need remains.