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"Never before have I seen so much evil and at the same time so many good deeds"

Misha Vavylyuk, writer and photographer for Mission Without Borders in Ukraine, shares how the war has changed life in Ukraine.

Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe. A third of its territory has been torn apart and destroyed. Now, even a year after the war began, my mind still refuses to accept the fact that such a war could even be possible in our civilized world in the 21st century. Also, I gave up trying to understand how anyone could support this inhuman invasion.

UNITY

What has changed in this year? We have changed! Our country, language, and identity have come to mean much more because they want to take it away from us. They kill us only because we are Ukrainians. We have come to respect our soldiers immensely, who are at great risk themselves as they try and stop the occupier from committing atrocities against our women and children. We have come to love our neighbors more. There has never been such unity among our people. Everyone helps and supports others who are in greater need than themselves. We have begun to pray more because we believe God's protection can stop the missiles from hitting our homes.

Gratitude

We have also learned to be more grateful: for electricity for a few hours a day, warm radiators in our house, and a hot meal. We are grateful to all the people abroad who have generously donated and are doing their best to help us. I am amazed that people around the world are standing together to keep Ukraine alive in this brutal war.

The Bible says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). I have never seen so much evil and, at the same time, so many good deeds as in the past year. Our belief is that good will overcome evil. God bless you!"

Ukraine Photo Exhibition

Misha's photographs of bombed-out schools, weary villagers showing him their once-loved homes, now destroyed, and residents queuing for boxes of food and bread, reflect the reality of life now in parts of Ukraine. All our local staff has quickly adapted to the changing needs in Ukraine, even as they live amidst the horror of their country coming under brutal attack.

"I am fond of photography as fine art, with all its capacity for expression," Misha said. "I enjoy capturing the moment. When you stop a moment in time, the beauty, meaning, and uniqueness of that moment is revealed.

"I humbly believe that my passion for photography has become a tool for telling the truth about this war. In every place I visit, my purpose is to document and express the things I see in such a way that the spectator can truly feel and come to realise what is going on in Ukraine."