Near Ukraine’s border with Romania lies the quiet town of Novoselytsia. Once a typical community of a few thousand residents and several modest churches, it’s become a place of refuge for fellow Ukrainians fleeing the devastation to the east. 

Widows, orphans and elderly survivors now call this town home – displaced by the ongoing Russian invasion that continues to destroy lives and uproot families.

Here, opportunity is scarce. 

With few jobs available and even fewer child care options, survival is a struggle these people face daily. The few men who remain—outside the 25 to 60-year-old draft range—commute 2 to 3 hours each day in search of work.

Every morning, the commuter train departs, filled with silent determination and the fragile hope that today might bring a needed breakthrough.
In the heart of this town, one small church has become a lifeline. 

Led by a humble pastor, Valerii Popov, and his devoted family, the church provides pantry staples to families in need. Each week, women ranging in age from 16 to 85 years old gather in the church’s sanctuary to greet one another, share stories and take part in a brief worship service. The atmosphere is warm and personal—every action rooted in compassion and the love of Christ.

Like many small congregations, the pastor’s entire family is involved. From music and audio-visual setup to food purchasing, distribution and cleanup, they do it all. 

“It’s a labor of love,” Popov said. “But it’s not just our love—it’s the love of our God that is shown through this.”

But their ministry extends beyond food and fellowship. The family has also taken on a remarkable and lifesaving task: making bulletproof vests for Ukrainian soldiers. 

Each vest is given free of charge, accompanied by a New Testament and Gospel tract in Ukrainian. “Our goal is to protect their lives physically—and reach their hearts spiritually,” the pastor shared.

Together, the family sews vests, assembles medical kits and constructs stretchers, which are critical for frontline care and rescue. Many of the elderly in Novoselytsia still remember life under Soviet rule. This work—empowered by faith and fueled by compassion—is their contribution to freedom and peace.

“We’ve received letters from soldiers who survived because of the vest or were carried on a stretcher we made,” he continued. “They thank us not just for saving their lives but for helping save their souls. That’s our mission.”

So far, the church has distributed more than 400 bulletproof vests, 900 medic kits and 2,000 one-time-use stretchers. None of their local congregants have the means to support this effort financially. Every vest, every kit, every meal comes through outside donations—many from partners like On Mission Network.

In the early days of the war, international aid flowed freely. But today, many NGOs and governments have scaled back or moved on. What remains is the steady, faithful presence of the Church. 

As one 41-year-old widow poignantly shared, “The church is the only one left who cares about us.”

Through On Mission Network and its supporters, that care continues.

Tangible help. Enduring hope. A witness to the world that love still shows up—and stays.