Lika Romanās courage and commitment to sharing her faith with others have brought a silver lining to the crisis in Ukraine.
Roman, who partners with ReFrame Ministriesā Russian-language outreach, was living in Kyiv, Ukraineās capital city, when it was attacked by Russian troops in February 2021.
As Roman fled Kyiv, she said that one thought kept popping into her mind: āI couldnāt imagine what it would be like to go through this without knowing God.ā
That thought has helped Roman with each of her moves since that initial attack. After fleeing to Poland, she watched as young families, elderly women, and lone children arrived in the refugee camp where she was staying. Though she did not have much to offer them physically, Roman knew she had something else she could give.
Roman used most of her time and her love for people to share her own faith story, both in person and to her large following on social media.
Three Generations
When a family of three generationsāa grandmother, her two daughters, and four young childrenāarrived at the refugee camp, they carried a familiar expression of fear and uncertainty.
āThey didnāt know anyone, so they were especially vulnerable to being harmed and even to sex trafficking,ā Roman said. āThey needed everything, but the thing they needed most was Jesus.ā
The family accepted Romanās offer of prayer, and they shared that they would soon be leaving by bus to Finland. After Roman prayed with them, the family decided to commit their lives to Jesusāright at that moment, while sitting on their temporary mattresses at the refugee camp.
A few days later, Roman received a call from one of the women in that family. Their bus had gotten into a terrible accident on the way to Finland, but because she knew God was with her, the woman could sense Godās protection.
Now in a hospital in a part of the world they didnāt know, the family felt scared. But Roman was able to send a pastor to pray with them again.
āIt's amazing how big the family of believers we have around the globe is,ā Roman said. āIt's amazing to see how God is working through all these believersāthrough each and every one of us.ā
That Large Body of Believers Includes the CRC
While Roman cherishes her opportunities to meet with people face to face, she knows she can also share her gospel messages online and reach many more people who need to hear them.
Through ministry shares, church offerings, and individual support for ReFrameās Russian-language ministry, Romanās messages have reached people caught in the crosshairs of warāthose in Ukrainian bomb shelters or in their homes during raids as well as those who have fled to nearby countries.
āPraise God that these people still have their internet and their phones,ā Roman said. āIāve been able to have personal meetings, livestreams on Facebook, and opportunities to reach people who need our support, prayers, and words of hope.ā
About the Author
Brian Clark, ReFrame Ministries