When the full-scale invasion began, Dmytro Son faced an impossible choice. Artillery fire reached his Mykolaiv suburb. He evacuated his wife and children to England in March 2022, then returned to serve alongside his father, brothers, and sisters who chose to stay.
For nearly four years, he’s ministered to children, widows, and military families seven days a week under constant shelling. His family didn’t return to Ukraine until March 2025. His own children looked at him like a stranger. "It took time to become a father for the second time," he says.
Back in autumn 2022, Dmytro’s small team realized the youngest needed help most. Through a church recommendation, he discovered Children Mission and completed the OpSAFE training. "There were few of us, but Children Mission staff inspired us and suggested a format that worked for our Saturday meetings," he explains. "During the week, there’s shelling, children are frightened. On Saturday, they come to OpSAFE, and we have support for them — and a taste of real childhood."
The team continued with additional courses and webinars. This summer, they used the four-lesson series "Overcoming Fear" — an answer to what the children needed. Fourteen-year-old Denys conquered his paralyzing fear of insects and found new confidence.
Recently, the therapeutic story "Airplanes for Dad" moved orphaned Viktoria to tears as she remembered her parents, both lost to cancer. She asked for support, finding comfort in the caring community around her.
"We can’t hide children from reality, but we can teach them to process their fears and find hope."
— Dmytro Son, church leader, Mykolaiv