Memories from the war: A stolen life

From Rev. Anatoliy Raychynets, Deputy General Secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society

I found it difficult to fall back asleep as memories of the previous day replayed in my mind. The Lord directed our plans in such a way that we got lost near Toretsk while searching for a group of infantrymen waiting for us. Due to the interference from reconnaissance electronic warfare (REB) systems - since enemy drones hunt our vehicles in swarms - the navigator wasn’t functioning properly.

We accidentally encountered a warrior who was very happy to see us. He kindly invited us to his “hideout” and offered us tea. His name is Vitaliy, and his call sign is Staryi, which means “old man” in Ukrainian. He earned this name because he has served in the assault troops since 2014. Now a pensioner and a veteran, he was discharged due to severe injuries, yet he continues to defend our country. Due to his serious injuries, he cannot use a weapon, so he now works as a tanker driver. When he saw the pixelated Bible I had, he was genuinely touched.

“Pastor, back in 2014 at the Yavoriv training ground, you gave me a similar Bible but in a camouflage design. At that time, you brought foreign guests with you. Another priest who was there with you presented me with a white cross. After the training, we were deployed to the Donetsk region, the ATO zone, and you came to pray for us, bringing Bibles. I still wear the cross around my neck - he said, showing me the cross despite his mangled hand that hardly functioned.

“But, unfortunately, I lost the Bible you gave me, Pastor. It was always with me and helped me come to faith in God! I used to read it constantly, especially the book of Psalms. Because of my faith, I survived all these years. We faced ambushes and gunfire, and during that time in the armored personnel carrier, I lost my Bible. Doctors told me I was miraculously alive. My recovery was difficult, but my faith in God sustained me! For the past two years, I have been praying for the Lord to provide me with another Bible. I can honestly tell you, it has been very challenging without it. I felt as though I lacked strength. Pastor, do you remember me?”

I have visited the Yavoriv training ground many times, where we distributed Bibles. During these visits, I spoke with numerous Ukrainian defenders, and it’s impossible to remember each of them. But this warrior, Mr. Vitaliy, known as “the Old Man,” recalled our meeting vividly because God spoke to him through the Bible he received from us, marking the beginning of his new life.

As I lie awake in bed, I reflect on how rare it is for an assault soldier to have fought on the front lines against the insidious enemy for eleven consecutive years.

When we were saying goodbye, Vitaliy said:

“I am here to share my faith in God and how He has changed my life. You know, people listen to me. They say it is impossible to endure eleven years as a stormtrooper without God. Please, give me some Bibles for them as well.”

In the midst of war and uncertainty, the people of Ukraine including soldiers on the frontlines are desperately searching for hope, peace, and strength. Many are turning to God’s Word for comfort, but Bibles are in short supply. You can help meet this urgent spiritual need. Your gift today will place the Bible into the hands of those who need it most by bringing light to darkness, peace to turmoil, and hope to hearts longing for truth.

Will you be part of the answer to someone’s prayer for a Bible?