One Year Into a War
Kevin and Debbie Nelson are long-term OMS missionaries based out of Kyiv, Ukraine. When the Russians launched a mass invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Nelsons were in Budapest, as they had - like many other internationals - been evacuated a month beforehand. As you can imagine, it was an incredibly painful event to be watching from the outside. After five months, they were given the approval to return, and have again been based in Kyiv over the past seven months. In this interview they discuss the challenges of being missionaries in a situation like this, and what they remain grateful for.
NAOMI JOHNSTON: What was the toughest part of the last 12 months for you?
KEVIN NELSON: One of the toughest parts is not having electricity all the time. It interrupts so many different aspects of ‘normal’ life. Internet, zoom meetings, ministry meetings, shopping, using the lift to the 12th floor with heavy grocery bags, cooking, and no hot water. I think you can get the point. But the toughest is not knowing if or when we will be seeing our friends returning from the war. We have several close friends who are on the front lines often, and when we see them return it is such a relief. Also, seeing them with their families is a joyful occasion.
DEBBIE NELSON: The toughest part for me was being separated from our friends, church family, and students in Ukraine when the full scale invasion happened and then continued on for months. Reading all the messages of friends from one side of the country to the other on Feb. 24 writing that they were hearing explosions and that the full-scale war had started. Then, night after night going to bed wondering if the next day our friends would be alive. Morning after morning checking messages and writing notes to find out if those friends were ok. If their apartments, our church, our apartment were still standing. It was heart-wrenching to be apart when our friends were suffering. Since being back in Ukraine that pain has gone away but it continues to be tough to wonder if our friends who are fighting on the front lines will come back alive. It is heartbreaking to hear story after story of all the unjust pain and suffering that is being inflicted on Ukraine on so many levels.
NJ: As missionaries, what do you see as the main role you play within this wider context?
KN: Wow, that is a huge question. For me, there never has been a main role. I have been put into so many different situations with different responsibilities that I don’t really see one main role in the past 25 yrs. But in the current situation, I see my daily role to be here, present. Living in the moment with the people around me, helping with the needs that are for this day. Helping older people up the stairs with their groceries, taking time to listen to people without any agenda, and just being available. I want to be encouraging people whenever I can in a practical way.
DN: For me, I see my main role as presence, being present with those around us. Providing a listening ear and a hug. Sharing a smile, God’s love, hope, and encouragement just by being present. From our yard lady to our vegetable lady to our doorkeeper to our students, friends, and church family, they all need a listening ear. They need to know that someone cares, sees them, hears them, and loves them.
As an English teacher, I also see my role as continuing to provide a needed service – offering a sense of normalcy in a very abnormal time. I cannot count the times students have said to me “Thank you for being here to teach us English. Thank you for giving us a distraction from all the sadness. You give us hope that the war will end.”
NJ: There are a lot of stories coming out of Ukraine about the war and its impact, but also some stories of hope and perseverance. What is one story from the past 12 months that has stuck with you the most?
KN: There is no one story in my head, all the stories swirl around in a huge picture, maybe an abstract picture would be more accurate. I have seen many people who after their homes are demolished by war start rebuilding. They are not sitting around doing nothing. People are grateful for humanitarian aid. I remember in one village; one man repeatedly thanked me for the food and for not forgetting about them. He had just lost his house because a rocket had hit it. He thought he was going to die, and he thanked God for saving him.
DN: It is impossible to choose one story. There are hundreds of stories that have impacted and continue to impact us. I think how the Ukrainians show overall courage, gratitude, humor, and will to live as normally as possible really stands out. For example, one lady in a village where our church has taken food lost her home in the war. Yet, she sent a large jar of honey to give to us as a thank-you for bringing aid to her village. Her livelihood was beekeeping and almost all of her hives were destroyed when her village was occupied. The honey she gave us came from a surviving hive. Honey is expensive and she could have sold it, but she gave it away.
Another thing that stands out is the gratitude of students and friends and their tenacity to keep living life. Just last night one of my students gave me a Christmas gift and thanked me for teaching English, for teaching about gratitude, for teaching how to celebrate Christmas, and for being here with them during this difficult time in Ukraine. It reminds me again of how much presence in the good times, and perhaps especially in the bad times, can impact others.
NJ: What are you most grateful for this year?
KN: I am grateful that OMS allowed us to return to Ukraine, grateful for our church community here in Kyiv, the Ukrainian military and utilities workers that keep us safe and connected, and our prayer team and financial supporters around the world.
DN: I am so grateful to be back in Ukraine and able to walk day-to-day with those we love, to hug people, to listen, and to teach English and provide some normalcy to others’ lives. There is so much pain, but also so much joy—such a heightened sense of the value of life, the value of living in the moment. We never know if we have tomorrow on earth, but in a time of war, that sense is constantly present and I think it helps to live life to the fullest. Not to miss opportunities to love, share Jesus, and celebrate each moment. I am also so grateful for our Ukrainian defenders who are sacrificing their lives for the freedom of Ukraine.
NJ: What are some of the ways we can be praying for you while you continue on in Kyiv?
KN: That God continues to use us and speak through us in these difficult times in Ukraine. Continue to give towards the needs of Ukraine and encourage others not to stop/forget about the war that is raging in Ukraine. It is not over yet!
DN: Please pray for wisdom as we interact daily with those who are suffering. Pray we stay so close to Jesus and respond quickly to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Pray we will be able to encourage and share the light with all we come in contact with. Pray for this horrible war to end soon with Ukrainian victory and freedom from the enemy.
