Plymouth Church Becomes Lifeline for Families Fleeing Ukraine
Liubov and Ihor Nelha’s trek to the U.S. was long and emotional.
The couple fled Ukraine in February with their seven children, ranging in ages from 3 to 10, before arriving in Elk River on April 19.
Serg Zastavskiy, a youth minister with Golgotha Slavic Church in Plymouth, says the church helped the couple find resources and a home in the state. Zastavskiy helped translate CCX’s interview with them.
At just 32 and 33 years old, the young couple looks back at their journey from their hometown of Berezanka.
Their journey started in Poland, where they found shelter for a month. They then traveled to Mexico and spent time at a refugee camp, before finally arriving in Minnesota.
“A lot of worrying, I’ve never been in an airport, you know I’ve grown up in a village all my life,” explained Liubov Nelha.
Photo of the couple’s seven children.
So far, the church has helped 10 families who have fled Ukraine and sought refuge in the state, donating items like furniture and necessities.
“We will help people get here, we help send financial help and as a church that really helps maximize our effectiveness,” Zastavskiy said.
War brought the Nelhas here, but faith keeps them going.
“Right now we’re here and we’re counting on God helping us out and God will provide,” Ihor Nelha said.
At the end of the interview with CCX News, the children sang a song – lyrics honoring a war-torn Ukraine. Hope, that someday, fighting is replaced with freedom.
