Before I came to Ukraine, I had heard lots of stories about what life was like over here. I thought I would be able to come and easily adapt because I knew what it would be like. It was, in fact, quite the opposite. No stories could have prepared me—or even come close to preparing me—for what I’ve seen.

A big threat over here is drones. I heard lots of stories about them before I came, but there are some things stories just can’t prepare you for—like waking up in the middle of the night with your heart racing because you thought you heard a drone, or walking down the street and thinking you heard one and instantly looking for a hiding spot. Or just catching a glimpse of a bird out of the corner of your eye and thinking it’s a drone coming for you. Constantly being on edge and needing to have eyes everywhere at all times is something no story could prepare me for.

Through it all, there is one thing I struggle to put into words—and that is the power of God and prayer. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen God move and answer prayers in so many ways.

On one evacuation, we were going to an area that had been hit very hard by drones the past couple of days, and we were told there was a very high chance we’d see activity that day—and to be prepared for anything. But the entire evacuation was quiet and uneventful. The cops that went with us couldn’t believe how quiet and uneventful it was.

Going into that evacuation, I was worried about our team’s safety. I started praying and asked God for a hedge of protection—and just like that, I felt His presence. I went from worried and anxious to calm and not afraid, because I knew God was with us and that He was going to keep us safe.

There are many more instances like that I could talk about. But through it all, there’s one Bible verse that keeps coming back to me:

Joshua 1:9 — Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.