What’s it like in Ukraine?
Jocelyn and I get that question from friends and family who followed our recent travels, as well as from strangers who discover we’ve been in Ukraine.
Surprise is a common response when we share how long we were in Ukraine. Seven weeks! Were you afraid? What’s it like? How are the people?
June and July 2025
Anyone tracking with Ukraine, and bless you if you are, know that June and July 2025 were the worst months of the 3 ½ year war.
Russia launched a record 6,129 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine in July, smashing the previous month’s record of 5,337. Mass attacks are more frequent and more deadly.
Residents in Kyiv following drone attack in July.
The year-on-year increase is even more dramatic — during July 2024, Russia launched 423 drones against Ukraine, meaning a more than fourteen-fold increase over one year.
Did you know that?
On July 31, 31 people were killed in Kyiv, including 5 children and 159 wounded in a drone attack on an apartment building. This terror occurs daily in cities, small communities and villages across Ukraine.
No Safe Place
I’ve only been to Ukraine three times since December 2023. There was a dramatic shift in Russia’s recent assaults on Ukrainian cities like Lutsk and Lviv, the cities furthest from Russia. There is no safe place.
How are the people?
Tired.
Tired of the war, of sleepless nights and waning support from the West. World War II lasted only five years. Russia invasion started in 2014. Remember that.
Tired, yes, but resolute. The people we know are followers of Jesus. Pastors and congregants. Many teens and young adults. They are active in helping refugees, supporting school children, caring for orphans, visiting hospitals, seniors, and orphanages.
Women training to be chaplains to support Ukrainian women on the front lines.
United
Wars are not fought by governments. They are started by governments but fought by men and women. Leading a democratic nation is challenging in peace time. There’s no doubt that responsible government, like Ukraine’s, leading in wartime, is beyond our Western understanding.
Whatever you hear in the media about President Zelensky’s governing is influenced by Russian propaganda. In Ukraine, there is frustration and genuine fear based on the military’s recruiting measures. Some of the men we work with were recently recruited for the front lines. But the country is unified for independence and freedom.
How long could the war last?
It could end tomorrow if Russia stops. Otherwise, without Western intervention, it could last for years.
Crimea is Ukraine
Luhansk is Ukraine
Donetsk is Ukraine
Melitopol is Ukraine
Berdiansk is Ukraine
Zaporizhzhia is Ukraine
Kherson is Ukraine
Mariupol is Ukraine
Bakhmut is Ukraine 
Will You Stay Involved In Ukraine?
As long as we are needed and wanted we will be involved.
When the war ends the need in Ukraine will be greater than it is now. Post-war trauma, war-fueled addictions, grief and loss will exceed the need of economic recovery. 
Jocelyn prayed with many, many Ukrainian women.
Jocelyn sharing with a pastor’s wife who is battling cancer.
Until the war ends and beyond, we will raise funds for humanitarian work, support our friends who are helping support their country and advocate for peace.
You can join us.
1. Share our posts on social media.
2. Invite friends to subscribe to REVwords.
3. Donate to B&J Ukraine Ministry at Loads of Love. (Thank you to all who have generously donated.)
4. Pray for Ukraine.
We will return to Ukraine. The earliest time will be November 2026 because of my Canadian job responsibilities.
Every week, our friend, Pastor Sergei and his team, provide meals for seniors in eastern Ukraine.
And the work goes on. More Kids Camps this summer. Feeding refugees and people in isolated communities. Stuffies for kids in orphanages. McJoyful parties in December. Training workers.
Thank you for reading.
We’d love to know your thoughts on Ukraine. Please join the conversation by posting below. Thank you.
Hope grows here. We share stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
We’d love to have you Subscribe to REVwords. We’ll put helpful content into your inbox Mondays and Fridays.
Good Morning Pastor Bob. I can’t believe that Jocelyn & you, stayed in the Ukraine for 7 weeks. I was afraid for both of you & prayed for your safety. We were getting news here every day, on what was going on there. The poor people of the Ukraine, just being ravaged relentlessly by a Dictator, who only has one thing in mind. Divide & conquer. It makes my stomach churn when I think about it. Those innocent people of the Ukraine…just trying to make it through the day without being bombed. I can’t even begin to think…what that might be like. Wondering if you are going to live, to see another day. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. So glad you both made it back to Canadian soil. ❤️
Thank you, Julie. We’re glad to be home and be an advocate for Ukraine in Canada.
Bob and Jocelyn, a recent Quote I heard,
“When you know the truth, it changes everything”
We see your compassion, and your passion for the Ukraine and her suffering people. Thank You for teaching us how to pray for Ukraine.
The photos are stories captured, on each one.
My heart dances when I see Jocelyn, supporting other women, she has been gifted with this LOVE.
With Love and deep respect
Harriett Hastman
Thank you, Harriett. Jocelyn is a good one, like you.