Keeping Families Warm.
Saving Lives
A Special Story of Winter Rescue
Maria's Story
Maria is 72 years old. Originally from the Kherson region, she fled to Kremenets in Western Ukraine after her village was completely destroyed in the conflict. Her house, once a place of memories and comfort, was reduced to ruins. In the midst of such devastation, Maria felt as though all hope had vanished. Carrying little more than the clothes on her back and the weight of her grief, she journeyed west in search of safety and a chance to begin again.
It was in Kremenets that Maria met Pastor Alexei and his wife, Valentina, of Water of Life Church. From the very first moment, they welcomed her with open arms—offering food, prayer, and most importantly, the kind of compassion that begins to mend a broken spirit. As they listened to her story, they also shared about a hope that transcends circumstances—a hope found in Jesus.
In October, Maria started attending Water of Life Church regularly. Little by little, she began learning to trust in God again, discovering that even in the darkest valley, a new dawn is possible. She started smiling more and engaging in the services. These small steps marked a quiet but profound transformation in her heart.
This week, Pastor Alexei and Valentina visited Maria at her temporary borrowed home. By divine timing, the visit landed on her birthday. They arrived not only with warm greetings and prayer, but with a gift—a new heater. When Maria saw it, she could hardly contain her joy. It wasn’t just a piece of equipment; it was a promise. A promise that she would not face winter’s cold alone. A promise that God still sees her, still cares for her, and—just as importantly—still remembers her birthday.
"Thank you," she whispered through tears. "Thank you for reminding me that I am not forgotten."
Thanks to Mission Partners International and the generosity of friends in Canada, Maria—and many others like her—are not only receiving practical help. They are being reminded that even in the harshest seasons of life, there is a love that endures and a hope that warms the heart.
Alexander Says: "Thank You"
