Four Years Later: God Abides

Molly and Annabelle Dawidow have worked for decades with the Sopot, Poland, congregation and Bible Institute. The College Church has a long affiliation with them, serving as hub for donations to their ministry, including vital funding to help Ukranian refugees.
Four years ago we woke to news of the invasion of Ukraine, and our world turned upside down. As missionaries, we have felt the weight of these years not only in physical and logistical challenges but also in the reshaping of our hearts, faith, and calling.
In the early days of the war, uncertainty surrounded us, but we were reminded of a truth we had known yet now experienced viscerally: The Lord provides. He knows our needs before we ask. Time and again, brothers and sisters generously donated funds and supplies as needs arose. Never once did a lack of resources limit our help. The more we reached out, the more God provided, teaching us to rely on His provision without worrying about the means.
We also realized that loving your neighbor is not abstract. It means showing mercy to those the Lord places before you. Jesus’ words—"Love your neighbor as yourself”—are practical and immediate. We cannot control global events. We can bring hope and comfort by turning our small sphere into a place where God’s kingdom shines through merciful action here and now.
As we distributed aid, opened our church as a shelter, served meals to the displaced, and simply listened to those whose worlds had collapsed, we felt the responsibility of faithful stewardship, not always measured by visible success but by obedience in small, hard things. Even when exhaustion set in and effects seemed meager, the call remained: be faithful with what is in your hand, trusting God to give the increase. And indeed, He has multiplied opportunities, means, and blessings.
Perhaps the most poignant lesson involves comforting those who grieve, for grief lingers long after immediate physical needs are met. Early months focused on survival, but with time, deeper wounds emerged: women mourning lost or endangered sons and husbands, children traumatized by explosions, families separated indefinitely. Logistics can be addressed with resources, but wounded hearts require gentle, persistent ministry and the hope of the Gospel.
These four years have brought moments of doubt, weariness, frustration, and sorrow, yet they have also provided immense encouragement and action. Bolstered by your prayers and support, the church here has shone as a beacon of light in darkness, showing what it means to be Christ’s hands and feet amid suffering.
Thank you for your continued prayers, encouragement, and partnership. May the God-of-all-comfort strengthen us until the day He wipes away every tear.