Mark’s Story
A Ukrainian Christian’s journey from the mission field back to his homeland
Mark is dressed in blue, in the middle.
My name is Mark and I am from Ukraine. I grew up in a Christian family. I attended church since I can remember myself. Even before that, my parents would bring me with them to church. At least that’s what they say, and I tend to believe them.
Six years ago, some missionaries visited our church. They came from a small church of about 30-40 members. They shared with us a testimony how they managed to raise money, buy a piece of land in Africa and build an orphanage there. The story touched and inspired me. “I want to do something for those kids!” I thought.
After some time, God was giving me an opportunity to go on a mission trip to Ghana with my Canadian friends from CIM. Unfortunately, I found a lot of “obstacles.” The problem was that I relied on my own strength. I thought “I can’t do this”, “I can’t raise this amount of money”, etc. As a result, it didn’t work out.
I still had the desire to go to Africa and the love that I had in my heart for those kids never left my heart. This fall God gave another opportunity. I completed a 3-month missionary course in Odessa Theological Seminary and then a 3-month internship in Uganda. I still had some issues to solve, like my job, finances and health. Only this time I trusted everything in God’s hands. He made it possible.
The past three months I spent in Uganda, we were serving kids, teenagers and youth. We did different Bible studies, workshops, and lessons in schools. I loved it so much that I wanted to stay for a year instead of 6 months. I was even in the process of getting a volunteer work permit for one year. Then the war started in my homeland…
One week prior to the invasion when the tension began rising, I was very anxious. I prayed a lot about what my next step should be. I spoke with my pastor, my mentor, Tomson and my family. I wanted to be with the family, but more than that I wanted to be where God wanted me to. I prayed for the Lord’s guidance.
That morning, February 24th, I was woken up by notifications from my phone. Those were messages from my cousin. He texted me with the following, “Brother, the war began! They bombed all the main cities.”
From that moment I got drowned in the news, worrying more and more about my family and loved ones. At that moment, I realized I needed to go back to Ukraine. I won’t have peace in my heart while I’m in Uganda and my family is in Ukraine. Staying in Africa would turn into torment of not knowing what is happening with my family. Thus, I decided to return to Ukraine. I bought a ticket that same day.
By the time I reached home, I received a mobilization notice, which meant that I could be taken to the army even when crossing the border. Nevertheless, I had peace in my heart. I was certain that I was doing the right thing. I need to be with my family and help them. God went before me, He controls everything.
Coming home was not easy. I didn’t feel well. I didn’t sleep for 36 hours and didn’t eat for 12 hours. I also had a suspicion that I might have malaria. Though a good meal and a good night of rest in a pastor’s house in Slovakia was all I needed to get back to life. God was caring for me through different people.
The next morning, I was in Ukraine. I didn’t even have time to go home because we had refugees and I needed to help with some humanitarian aid for them at the House of Mercy. Thus, I got home only in the evening. And since then, all days have been very busy. We unload 2-3 trucks and then we have to load 15-20 cars with food, medicine and other supplies which they deliver to the “hottest” areas, like Kharkiv, Kyiv, Irpin, and others.
No matter how hard it is, it is a great blessing to be at home, give a helping hand and see God work in the lives of people who are in need, through us. We are just His tools, and He is our Master.
- Mark Valko from Ukraine
Supplies and donations being unloaded, sorted and distributed
The refugees staying at HOM helping prepare care packages for the needy in Roma camps
Many people packed together for meal times
Some of the children using the playground at HOM
A Word From CIM’s Executive Director
It breaks my heart as I see and hear what is happening in Ukraine after Russia has invaded the country, killed innocent people and caused damage to infrastructure. It pains me to see my friends feeling scared for their own lives while at the same time helping as many refugees as possible. On paper, it is a one-sided contest: David vs. Goliath. But remember, in the Bible, it was David who was victorious against all odds. I implore all to pray for peace in Ukraine; to pray that through all the heartache and destruction that people will turn to the Lord; to pray for safety for our Ukrainian friends. Because it is only through prayers and God’s divine grace that the situation will change.
God’s Word states in 2 Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Ukraine may not have the tanks and missiles that Russia has but with Christians around the world praying, we have the divine power to demolish the strongholds that are terrorizing the country. Continue to pray. Do not lose faith. God is still in control.
- Rev. Isaac Quan
Ukraine Ministry Updates:
My heart is heavy and saddened by what is happening in Ukraine along with the suffering of Ukrainian people. CIM’s Ukraine ministry partner: House of Mercy is in Uzhhorod, western part of Ukraine near the border of Hungary and Slovakia. They are keeping us up to date with what is going on in Ukraine and how we can pray for them. On top of the Roma ministry, they are looking after many refugees coming from the eastern part of Ukraine. Many people with children travelled a long distance via Uzhhorod to bordering countries to escape the bombing and the war.
Currently, they are caring for about 300 refugees mainly from eastern Ukraine. They have humanitarian aid and support arriving from Norway and other European countries. Their local church has turned into a refugee meeting center; their homes opened to refugees; their orphanage is housing children and families; their camp site is caring for about 80 children from the war zone. Every available space has turned into sleeping quarters including the storage shed. The kitchen is busy preparing and cooking for everyone.
Life is hard and difficult for many refugees especially for children and elderly. Some are sick or too weak to walk. CIM Ministries has set up a Ukraine crisis emergency fund to support House of Mercy and the humanitarian effort. If you are interested, please feel free to visit our website for more information: www.cimcanada.org
Please continue to pray for the local CIM missionaries, Roma ministry and pastors and their families in Ukraine. Their situation is also deteriorating and many of the families are running out of food. Pray for God’s mercy, provisions, and peace.
- Tomson Chan,
Chairperson of the Board, CIM Canada
February Financials
1. General Fund - for general and administrative purposes, such as staff salaries
2. Designated Fund - for specific ministries in different field locations as designated (cannot be transferred between funds)
*All financial figures are in Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest dollar