War Victims devotionals printed, set for distribution in Ukraine

Ukraine (K4K) — For years now, the war in Ukraine has dominated headlines with images of destruction, displacement, and grief. But behind those headlines are real kids, real teens, and real families trying to survive another day in a world that no longer feels safe. For many of them, air raid sirens, bomb shelters, and interrupted school days have become normal.

Some have lost fathers, uncles, grandparents, and friends. Others have lost homes, routines, and any sense of stability.

Into that heartbreak, God is opening a door.

Keys for Kids Ministries and Mission Eurasia started partnering together when Russia invaded Ukraine in February, 2022. More than 600,000 devotionals have been distributed since the partnership began.

According to Esther Parsons of Mission Eurasia, the need for biblically grounded, trauma-aware materials became clear as the conflict dragged on and families were displaced.

“One of the things we’re finding is that there’s just not a lot of resources available for them right now,” Parsons said. “Things are not being printed quickly. And when you think about a fourth of the country moving, whether it’s out of the country or within Ukraine to another area, they’ve had to leave a lot of things behind.”

Parsons, who helped spearhead the effort, said the devotional project was especially meaningful to her because she read Keys for Kids herself as a child. She also has firsthand knowledge of Ukraine, where she and her husband served for eight years. When the war began, they were asked to help with relief efforts in Poland, where they connected with many Ukrainians who had fled the violence.

Keys for Kids Ministries supplied stories from both Keys for Kids for children and Unlocked for teens. Mission Eurasia then worked through the editing and contextualization process to ensure the material would truly minister to children and teens living through war.

Parsons said the review process included more than simple translation.

“We took the stories and we also took them to a Ukrainian psychologist and just asked her to look through them and make sure that this fit the context,” she said. “There was some really good material that allowed us to filter through, find the things that fit the context for the Ukrainian context, and really to help those that are suffering from such deep trauma.”

The work also involved back-and-forth collaboration to find the right stories and the right presentation for the finished books. Design and production were handled by a team inside Ukraine, even amid the ongoing war.

“We have a great team in Ukraine,” Parsons said. “You would be surprised after four years of war, how much is actually happening in the country. So, the editing of the material, the printing of the material is all done in Ukraine. Even though the war is going on, people are continuing to do their work and to move forward.”

The first printing is substantial. Parsons said 100,000 copies of Keys for Kids in Ukrainian and another 100,000 copies of Unlocked have been printed, and the first pallets have already arrived. The timing coincides with Orthodox Easter, providing an opportunity for churches and ministry teams to begin distributing the materials immediately.

“I just got pictures this week that the first printing is completely done,” Parsons said. “We have a hundred thousand copies being printed in Ukrainian for Keys for Kids and another 100,000 of Unlocked and the first pallets have arrived. And so this is perfect timing.”

Mission Eurasia says the devotionals will become a practical tool for ministry as young Christian leaders distribute them through camps, children’s programs, and church outreach. Parsons said this aligns closely with the organization’s goal of training leaders not only in biblical knowledge, but in hands-on ministry.

“When we have a project like this, they are the ones that go out and distribute it,” Parsons said. “Often, they’ll have children’s programs, like summer camps. So many of these kids that receive these will come to camp, and they will also be taught by our School Without Walls leaders.”

The deeper purpose of the devotionals is to reach children and teens living with daily fear and uncertainty. Parsons noted that many have spent years going in and out of bomb shelters, attending interrupted classes, and coping with loss. Some children know nothing but life during wartime.

“I think this has been a tragedy for four years,” she said. “We’re into the fifth year of war and kids are regularly in bomb shelters. Then they get up the next morning and go to school. And then sometimes school is interrupted by a bomb shelter.”

For many, the devotionals may be among the few new resources they receive.

“They’re not getting a lot of new things,” Parsons said. “And this material, in particular, is helping them to grow in their faith and be introduced to Jesus. Many of these children don’t know Jesus.”

She added that the books include a presentation of the Gospel and are designed to be read individually or with family members. “I think it’s just really special to have something you can read by yourself or with your mom as you’re sitting there and know that somebody is thinking about you as a child and giving you resources that you can be encouraged with.”

Field workers have already expressed gratitude for the new resource, Parsons said, especially because it is written in the local language and has been reviewed with trauma ministry in mind.

Distribution is expected across multiple parts of Ukraine, including dangerous frontline regions. Parsons said Mission Eurasia is now working in 12 different areas of the country, with teams in places such as Zaporizhzhia and Kherson continuing to deliver literature, humanitarian aid, and food despite ongoing danger.

“There’s just Russian soldiers right across the river,” Parsons said of one area near the front lines. “But people are still there — Christians that are distributing materials and humanitarian aid and food and different things. And they will be getting these resources into the hands of many children there too.”

As the first copies move out for distribution, both ministries say the project stands as a testimony to long-term partnership and the faithfulness of supporters who prayed and gave.

“We really treasure your partnership,” Parsons said in closing. “We are so thankful for the long partnership we’ve had with Keys for Kids. … We really appreciate every person who gave.”

Keys for Kids Ministries has work in many different languages all in need of funding. Consider giving to our Storyteller fund at the link below.