Mayroong umaasa sa karwaheng pandigma, at mayroon ding sa kabayo nagtitiwala; ngunit sa kapangyarihan ni Yahweh na aming Diyos, nananalig kami at umaasang lubos.

Awit 20:7

“I don’t believe in God anymore. Most of us Ukrainians believe in our soldiers because they’re the ones who can save us from the Russians!” Ito ang pahayag ni Kseniia sa interview sa kanya ng Operation Blessing Philippines nang magsagawa sila ng disaster relief operations sa Poland para sa Ukrainian refugees. Kseniia is among the millions of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their homes in areas that were being targeted by Russian rockets. They lost loved ones, properties, and jobs, gaya ni Kseniia na isang biochemist. Their lives have been drastically changed by war. Because of this, we cannot blame the war victims when they ask, Why did God allow this to happen to us? Where is God in the midst of all the suffering and brutality of war? 

It may be difficult to comprehend, but God is there in the middle of all the suffering during wars. He said in Isaiah 41:10 (NLV), “Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you.” He also promised, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2, ESV). God’s light shines the brightest in darkness.

After giving the food bag, an OB staff member asked Kseniia if he could pray for her and to the staff’s surprise, Kseniia agreed. More than the physical food, the OB team shared God’s encouraging promises to Kseniia. It was God’s love through Operation Blessing that softened her heart. Hopefully, it would also put back her trust in God because it is not the weapons and the wisdom of men that can win the war for us, but it is God alone who can give us victory! (Psalm 20:7)