Roman's Story: Losing His Kyiv Home to War
“In one moment everything turned into smoke. Lord, how can I not lose heart?”
Back in 2017, CDK made its first trip to Ukraine. It was a busy trip filled with as many meetings as our host, Vadym, could pack in. His goal was to help us get a better picture of ministry in . Among our meetings, we had the privilege of meeting Roman, the director at Camp Karabin.
As a result of our connection with Roman, Can Do Kids International provided native English speaking staff members for three summers (until Covid hit) at Camp Karabin for English camp. In the fall of 2021, Kayley & Roma served along Roman and four other workers at a smaller-sized English camp for middle school aged kids in the Carpathian mountains. From his sense of humor to his love for adventure and dedication to the camp, we have all loved getting to know Roman over the last few years!
But sadly, the war brought on devastating changes for Roman, his wife and their two boys. Just days ago, the family’s home was destroyed. We praise God that they are safe, but share in their grief as so much else was lost. The words below are an automated translation of a Facebook post Roman wrote on March 7th (I have made some improvements of the translation. For the exact words of Roman, you can go to his facebook page: Roman Golovanov):
“The black corner on the left is the house in which my wife and I lived for 13 years. It had everything necessary for life; in it we raised our children; in it we welcomed many guests…
It stood on Pushkinskaya street in the city of Irpin, which Russian orcs are now turning into the second Donetsk airport. This house was built by my father-in-law. Every Sunday, a large family of relatives and children played there. My whole life remained in it: books, children's things and toys, diplomas in psychology, research concepts, memories of my grandmother, memorable things from my father - everything; everything I gained over the years. But in one moment everything turned into smoke.
Roman’s home is the one on the left: blackened and destroyed.
Lord, how can I not lose heart and become as evil as these creatures who take the lives of women, children and fathers?
We came into this world naked and we will leave it naked. And as for me and my family and my country, it's a period of night. It’s a period of fears, trials, and worries. But I know the morning will come and we will see the light.
Today on my street and in my country, Kremlin liberators carry death. And I write this publication in Russian so that it can be read by "those", who still defend the "Russian world" and the like, those who are afraid to call things by their names. Whoever considers himself a pacifist - shut up.
I won't cry now.
Inside there's just a deaf shock, then, maybe a little later, after the war, we'll cry....
One thing is pleasing in the photo: a burned tank of stupid orcs in front of my house. One less means one less evil. And I, after seeing this photo, in which most of my life is burned, will be even more convincing in the work I do to make Ukraine clean of any dirt. Clean of all Putin destroyed - not only my family's home, but the people’s sons who were driving in this tank.
Lord, I'm tired of seeing this evil, but I don't want to get tired of fighting. Thank you for being alive, thank you for keeping my family safe, thank you that the family who lived in our basement evacuated a couple of days ago. Thank you for my most precious things I have today - my family and my faith.
God, You gave, and You took away. Help me accept this as Your will. Comfort my loved ones, take away the pain, let me see hope.”
Please pray for Roman’s safety as he is involved in the war effort and for his wife and children who have had to flee the country. Roman’s family is just one of the many families who is being helped by your generous support.