GCMM’s specialized war trauma book goes to press

GCMM Executive Director Hannu Haukka reports from KYIV

Encounter with the man who lost everything

One of the most tragic moments during a recent trip to Ukraine for Hannu Haukka was meeting a man in Stepnogorsk. The elderly man had been on errands at the local village shop when a missile strike had razed his home to the ground. His wife and a few friends had been in the house. The grief-stricken man dragged himself through the rubble, hoping to find at least something that survived the strike.

Hannu's heart broke when he saw this, and it was not easy to find the words, but the Lord reminded him of the core message found in King David’s Psalm 23: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you are with me.”

Hannu continued to share what the words of the Psalm meant with the grieving man: “This sorrow cannot be measured, but I just want to tell you that God is the source of all comfort. And His words hold true for you as well. Amid this immense loss and devastation, God is in the darkness, in the valley of the shadow of death — with you. And He is your help, your hope, and also your refuge.” The man stopped to take it all in and then quietly nodded.

Book project for the mentally and spiritually wounded

Unfortunately, fatal events are on ‘repeat’ every day in Ukraine — people losing their homes and loved ones. When the Ukrainian government and the Ministry of Health realized there wasn’t enough professional psychiatric care to help their countrymen traumatized by war in the country, they requested written material to help amid the crisis.  During this trip to Kyiv, Haukka presented the draft of a book prepared by GCMM to the Minister of Social Policy. This book, “In the Center of the Storm,” combines psychological support and a Christian message, offering hope for tomorrow and comfort in the crisis.

The need is immense. Preparations for printing and distribution are in motion, with implementation depending on donations. The first copies may be distributed as early as spring.

Join in prayer and support our work

We ask you to join us in prayer:
“Lord, we pray for lasting peace. We ask that everyone who suffers, both in Ukraine and in Russia, may find comfort. Give hope to the hopeless, to those who have lost their loved ones and their health due to the senselessness of war.”

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