A Samaritan’s Purse partner is repairing houses so families can remain safe and warm.
The war took a personal turn for Ivan* when an artillery rocket struck next door, obliterating his neighbor’s house.
Ivan had little time to respond and the explosion shattered his own windows and ruptured his roof. The shelling just continued, raining down on his neighborhood with blast waves rocking anyone nearby. One such blast threw Ivan against his garage, leaving him with a concussion.
This was part of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ivan survived it, but his home had not. It was unlivable.
He was grateful to find refuge in a neighbor’s house, while others in his community tried to help him complete necessary repairs so he could return home. Sadly, however, the task proved too difficult.
That’s when people in his community heard about a Samaritan’s Purse partner repairing houses damaged by the war. Ivan applied for assistance and the needed work soon began to make his home habitable again.
Restoration and Renewal
All 10 of Ivan’s shell-shattered windows were replaced with plexiglass or plywood. The blown-out roof was patched with sheets of particle board and tarpaulin, a temporary fix until permanent shingles or tiles could be added.
These stop-gap measures have allowed Ivan to have his home back as he continues praying and planning toward the future. He is one of many Ukrainians who’ve been able to live in their homes again because of the repairs our partner has provided.
Samaritan’s Purse tarps cover roofs across Ukraine, keeping war-weary citizens warm, dry, and in the comfort of their own homes as missile strikes continue to rupture structures near the frontlines.
“It is a chance to return home, start a new chapter of life, and gradually recover from the trauma,” the partner said. “It is an opportunity to once again feel the warmth of familiar walls.”
Warmth of walls and a familiar living space are especially critical as temperatures in Ukraine continue to dip even lower. Gaping holes in windows and roofs across the frontlines of Ukraine are making the frequent attacks even more unbearable for many residents.
Samaritan’s Purse and its partners have provided repairs to the homes of nearly 4,000 families since the war began in Feb. 2022.
Ivan credits God for sparing his life and thanks Samaritan’s Purse and its partner for repairing his roof and windows.
“I am thankful to Samaritan’s Purse for the support you provide to those affected,” Ivan said. “Thanks to your compassion and cooperation with local communities, people like me get a chance for restoration and renewal.”
Ivan knows who to credit for protecting him from serious injuries as the artillery attacked his community. He says it was God who spared his life.
“I have always believed in God, and this faith has been a source of unbreakable strength for me,” Ivan said. “When it seemed there was no hope, I felt God’s presence nearby, supporting me through the hardest moments.”
With every home like Ivan’s repaired, Samaritan’s Purse is giving suffering Ukrainians a glimpse of God’s love.
“Thank you to everyone who does not leave people like me alone. Because of you, I have hope—I returned home,” Ivan said.
*Name changed for security
