Couple brings hope to Ukraine by faith
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By Jeff Snyder
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — People living in the eastern European nation of Ukraine do not know the silence of peace. For the last four years the Ukrainian people have been locked in mortal combat with their superpower neighbor Russia. Thousands of casualties have been suffered by both sides in this brutal fight. History will declare winners and losers as it does with all wars, but life goes on for the people of this region. Tucked inside this backdrop is a story of love and salvation that has its roots in Ringgold County, Iowa.
Laura (Galloway) Kisarets, a Kellerton native, now makes her way as a missionary stationed in the war torn nation of Ukraine. She graduated from a Bible college over 20 years ago and made her way to the Ukraine to minister to the children there. Laura, met her husband Volodymyr, while conducting one of her first missionary outreach trips upon completion of her Bibilical studies. Together they are blessed with four children ranging in age from seven to 17. They try to maintain as normal a life for the children as they can given the conditions on the ground in Ukraine and music plays a big role in the children’s lives. The eldest boy, (17) plays piano and synthesizer and is heavily involved in the youth ministry at the church. The girls play violins and even basketball as they strive to sustain normal lives.
Volodymyr, is a Ukrainian born native, and actually became a pastor as a result of his relationship with Laura. Now they have joined together to give back in the best way they can, by sharing their faith.
As members of the Hope for the World ministry serving the people of Ukraine, this brave couple reaches out mostly to the Ukrainian front line soldiers to deliver the message of God and offer a helpful hand to those most in need.
“We share the Gospel with soldiers,” Volodymyr said through his wife’s translation.
The couple have been ministering to the Ukrainian people for nearly 20 years. Theirs is a love story nestled in the violent confines of war. When speaking with this couple the language barrier could not mask the passion this man and his wife have for their role in aiding the Ukrainian people. Volodymyr speaks from the heart, and it showed. Hope for the World Ministries is a Christian nonprofit ministry focused on spreading the Gospel, providing humanitarian aid and supporting missions both locally and globally. The missions’ focus is rooted in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) aiming to reach the lost, the least and the last with God’s love and salvation. Understanding that a small town like Kellerton, located thousands of miles away from Ukraine, is able in some small way to have a positive impact on an international global conflict is difficult to comprehend but wonderful to contemplate. Programs such as these, and more importantly the individuals representing them like Laura and Volodymyr, are instrumental in delivering messages that help innocent people.
Wars are stressful, disorienting and frightening and leave the everyday common citizen scared and paralyzed. Mission groups like the one the Kisarets represent, deliver hope where hope is often in short supply. This brave couple will be special guests at the Mount Ayr Regular Baptist Church at 6:30 p.m., August 30. All are invited to stop by and wish this dynamic duo and their whole family God’s speed as they continue their journey.
