From: Pastor Cornelis Kant, Christians For Israel, translated from the English by Dana Nowak
We're taking a bus from our accommodation in Ukraine to the Moldovan border. We're bringing a group of Jewish refugees to Moldova, from where they will continue their journey to Israel. During the drive, I hear the stories of the different people.
Traveling completely alone
Her name is Victoria. She is 82 years old and comes from Kharkiv, a city in eastern Ukraine. Since the outbreak of the war, the explosions have not stopped. Shops were either closed or destroyed. It became too dangerous, and so she had to flee.
Victoria's son lives in a village a little further west, where things are still peaceful for now. Her grandson went to Israel last year. "Come to Israel, Grandma, you have no future in Ukraine," he urged her. Finally, she decided to leave. It was a difficult decision, as her son isn't allowed to leave Ukraine because he could be drafted into the country's defense. Victoria arrived at our accommodation in western Ukraine on Monday a week ago. The following Tuesday morning, she set off with other refugees towards the Moldovan border. We chatted briefly on the bus with the help of Natalia, a very dedicated staff member in Ukraine who also acted as an interpreter.
Crossing the border
And just like that, Victoria crosses the bridge into Moldova. With all her belongings in a small suitcase. What does she feel at that moment? Uncertainty, fear, sadness? We didn't ask too many questions. Natalia puts an arm around her shoulder. After crossing the border, Victoria receives coffee and a warm sandwich at the emergency shelter. From the border town, it's a three-hour drive to Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. There, we hand Victoria and the other refugees over to the care of the Israeli immigrant organization "Jewish Agency," which will take them to Israel. We wish Victoria happiness, peace, and blessings in her new home, Israel, the land of her ancestors.
Fear of leaving everything behind
I notice a young woman with an older woman. Her name is Sveta, and she is 35 years old. She comes from a village about 60 kilometers from Donetsk—a war zone. The woman next to her is named Galina. She is 80 years old and the mother-in-law of Sveta's sister. Her sister and brother-in-law have already emigrated to Israel. As soon as they have settled in and adjusted, Sveta and her mother-in-law are supposed to follow.
The war has now accelerated these plans. When the first bombings began, the authorities told them they should leave because there was a chance everything would be destroyed. The two women had heard about the CSI shelter and arrived there after a long journey. After a hot meal, a shower, and a good night's sleep, they also boarded our bus to Moldova. Galina told our colleague Natalia that she dreams of a good future in Israel. "Are you afraid?" Natalia asked. "No," she replied, "but I'm afraid to leave everything behind.".
Indeed, she had to leave everything behind. And most likely, everything she leaves behind will be destroyed. We realize that we cannot possibly fully comprehend this. God is bringing his people home, and in the end, no one will be left behind. We are grateful that we can accompany her on her journey, even though this journey is full of pain and tears.
“Then they will know that I am the Lord their God; for although I have sent them into exile among the nations, I will bring them back to their own land and will leave no one behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit on the people of Israel, declares the Lord Almighty.” Ezekiel 39:28-29
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