I lie on the base beach, soaking in God's presence. For a few moments, I had some thoughts on how this peace I'm enjoying comes at a price. Just a few hundred miles away, soldiers are losing their lives daily. It makes my heart ache. I cry out to the Lord - have mercy!
This sums up the first week—peaceful, yet filled with reflections.
Until one night, machine gun shots rang out, loud enough to feel like they were right outside our windows. The wind howled as spotlights pierced the skyline, and distant gunfire echoed. Even the soundest sleepers woke up. It was the first time many of us were so close to something that felt truly life-threatening. I shed a few tears, overwhelmed by the fear and emotions, much like the Jesus’ disciples on the boat during the storm. We prayed and tried to find peace again.
By morning, the news broke - there had been a large-scale drone attack (78 drones), yet miraculously, no lives were lost, and no buildings were damaged. Long-term staff said it had been a while since last time they had something like this.
So why am I here? Why choose this? Like what you’re probably asking, I’ve had the same question from the very beginning of this journey - it’s unnecessary, and it doesn’t seem to make sense.
I met Andrii and Borys, two Ukrainian boys I’m studying with. So young and full of life, yet knowing they can be called to the front line at any moment. They don’t have a choice—but I do. It’s unfair, and it breaks my heart. I seem to start to see why I’m here. And I want to make this choice - to be with them a bit more, to know them a bit more, to love them a bit more - because that’s how Christ changes my life. Forever.
Despite this incident, my dearest friends, I want to reassure you that we don’t feel like we're in danger moment to moment, as if living in a real war zone. On the contrary, I’ve been loving every single day. Every conversation we have, every connection we build, and every moment when people are willing to open up and let me in - it’s been such a gift. There have been far more laughs than tears.
Thank you again for your warm replies and prayers. They truly mean the world to me, knowing there are so many people back home praying and caring for me.
And I always remember - missions don’t just happen on the other side of the world; they start from the person sitting right next to you. The love you’ve shown me while you were sitting next to me has given me the courage and strength to go to the other side of the world to love the person sitting next to me.
For that, I'm eternally grateful.