SOUTH UKRAINE — When Russia first occupied Kherson in South Ukraine many of the nearby villagers were forced to flee for their lives. When many returned to see 90% of their homes destroyed Mercy Projects stepped in to provide vital aid supplies including much-needed green houses.

Now these families are reaping the benefits of this support, as GNA reporter Peter Wooding witnessed when he visited this community.

When Russia’s war with Ukraine first began nearly 2 ½ years ago, many communities in the South of the country came under extreme attack causing widespread devastation.

But thanks to support from the Christian ministry Mercy Projects families here are literally reaping a harvest of hope thanks to the many green houses they donated which is enabling them to feed themselves. Their ministry partner Andriy Kobolsky explains the importance of providing long-term practical support like this:

Make sure that they understand that there is a future. Friendship, support, encouragement, praying for them and to visit them you show that you bring hope.

One of the families we visited who are seeing the benefits of that practical and spiritual support is Marina and her husband and her two daughters. When the Russian attacks first began they were forced to flee their village and their home was badly damaged. But they are determined to keep rebuilding their home and their lives.

Despite losing so much Marina holds onto hope for a better future.

Marina:

One hundred per cent victory. Everything will be good. We will win and everything will be okay.

So as family’s like Marina’s continue to stand firm for the days and years ahead charity’s like Mercy Projects remain committed to helping them to continue to reap a harvest of hope.

Read more news on Non Profit Organizations, Disaster Relief, the Refugee Crisis, Ukraine, and Russia on Missions Box.