‘Our home was part of our soul!’
Ivan sat on the platform with tears erupting yet again as another uncontrollable wave of emotions surged over him. He leaned on his walking stick for support and his wife Valentina tried to compose herself behind a handkerchief that was proving to be too small.
Behind them on the full screen was the UK News footage of the loved Ukrainian home he had built with his own hands, coldly disintegrating with repeated blasts from a Russian tank.
The image above shows Ivan & Valentina's devastated Ukrainian home. Having experienced the devastation of their entire happy home and life in Eastern Ukraine, here they were, on the platform of the Clayton Church of Christ, telling their story. You can watch their interview at: https://youtu.be/GqI_d95AtBk
Profoundly confronted by the presence of these Ukrainian families sitting in the very front seats of the church each week, watching their pain and suppressed trauma sometimes leaking from their eyes, has left so many of those around them feeling bereft and useless at how to respond.
Questions arose
‘How does one get into a mere handshake what has to be present when there is no common language to speak?’
‘Where does one find a deserving steady gaze when you look into the eyes of one numbed with trauma?’
‘How does one live faith out here?’
The response of Clayton Church has been so far to help nine Ukrainian families to settle; providing furniture, household goods, weekly hot meals, groceries and enabling them to settle into a lived Christian community where they are invited into homes, and each is called by name.
It has meant rental properties being provided for six to twelve months at no cost, housing provided at little rent and spare rooms of homes being made available.
Practitioners in the church providing needed dental care and medical consultations. Practical advice given on how to proceed with Humanitarian Visas, Centrelink applications, Medicare, bank accounts, schools and how to register for required English language classes.
It has meant translating Sunday services over headphones, providing meals after the service, and gathering them together for mutual support.
Establishing elementary English language classes on Zoom and advanced English classes face to face. Finding employment interviews for the sometimes highly skilled from among work associates and networks.
Giving money when none of these things can be given and funds being pooled with the generosity of others to make things happen.
Needs
Some of the needs have included a free lease to a property in the nearby Monash area for a family of three for six months, or at a reduced rate, or the funds to supplement such a six-month rental.
Also needed has been the donation of or funds for, three second-hand cars, so that these resettling families can travel to work, school and church on Sundays.
A great need is for those to teach basic English to a group of two or three on Wednesday afternoons.The learning of English is a vital enabler to helping our Ukrainian families secure employment.
When finance arrives unexpectedly to support these families, it is testimony to the huge and undiminished heart of the Church here in Australia. Having found a place where churches and individuals can contribute, do something, anything, somewhere, with verifiable confidence has been exactly what they have wanted.
Connections and good neighbours
My Polish neighbour recently offered his television set and together, we visited Ivan and Valentina. The Polish connection was a great cultural exchange. The common Russian language, which my neighbour had learnt as a child, allowed for slightly improved communication! For myself, and others like me who have no Russian/Ukrainian exposure Google Translation services are invaluable.
Seeing my Polish neighbour excitedly connect and offer connections to his Russian/ Ukrainian friends who also are in the restaurant business was a joy to witness. Whilst that opportunity didn’t translate, I had another social catchup with a friend who lived opposite a bakery in Melbourne. The owners of that bakery were once also migrants from Ukraine so we now explore that possibility.
In appreciation of my direct support, a small group of us were invited over for a special dinner of borscht and cake. One cake was quite savory and had chicken and olives with cheese! Valentina was a professional baker back in Ukraine, which is why we are seeking to connect her with businesses who can appreciate her cooking talents.
Despite their hardship, Valentina finds joy in cooking and making new friends through God’s family.
So whilst there has been much sorrow and devastation, God continues to help Ivan and Valentina, and the whole diaspora of the Ukrainian community here in Melbourne to rise from the ashes.
So let the ruins come to life, in the beauty of your name
Rising up from the ashes, God forever you reign!
And my soul will find refuge in the shadow of your wings
I will love you forever, and forever I'll sing!
(Glorious Ruins, Hillsong Worship, 2013)
*Parts of this article were based on Ukrainian Devastation, first published for the CCVT Monthly and Nic has the written permission, as a contributor to that original article, to reproduce and reuse it here.