Some moments remind us exactly why we are here.

Recently, we evacuated an older gentleman from a town near the front lines. He had his own vehicle, but because of medical issues he wasn’t able to drive very far. We brought him back to our shelter, planning to take him to his next destination the following day.

But because of conflicting schedules, those plans changed, and we decided to wait until the beginning of the next week.

Looking back now, it’s clear that delay was part of God’s plan.

That Sunday, he attended church with our chaplain, and there he gave his heart to Jesus.

The next morning, I drove him and his car to Kyiv. We didn’t talk much during the trip because of the language barrier, but about halfway there he pulled out his new Bible and quietly held it in his hands for a while.

It was a simple moment, but a powerful reminder of why we do what we do.

Yes, we help evacuate people from danger. Yes, we bring aid and practical support. But more than anything, we want people to experience the love of Jesus and come to know Him personally.

This time, we were blessed to witness it firsthand.