In the early hours of April 26, 1986, the world witnessed a nuclear accident of unparalleled proportion when a massive chemical explosion blew the 1,000 ton cover off the top of Chernobyl’s Unit Four reactor, spewing radiation over Ukraine, Belarus and northern Europe. Millions of people were affected by this disaster.

It’s hard for the rest of the world to imagine the devastation this disaster has had on the people, their children and the land. 30 years after this tragic day, Mission Without Borders is still dealing with the aftermath. Recently we were able to speak with a family that we support, who need our urgent prayers for healing.

Igor lives with his nine children and wife Helena in Stepan, a small town in Ukraine. Helena is recovering from her fourth round of chemotherapy. Doctors and scientists believe the source of her illness, and that of many others is directly related to the tragedy that devastated this country in 1986 – Chernobyl. Thirty years on, an epidemic of cancer stalks the people of this region as the continuing effects of radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster still haunt Ukraine.

“When the disaster happened,” Igor said, “we were told by the Japanese in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: ‘wait 20-30 years, then you will see the full effects.’ Thirty years on, we are, but what can we do? We cannot feel angry. We have to live. So many people have cancer in this area. It is unnatural and it all points to that disaster. At the time, the people were not told - we found out about it from other countries. The authorities here said nothing until for many, it was too late.”

The nuclear fallout from the Chernobyl disaster, was 100 times greater than the atomic bombs that struck Hiroshima and Nagasaki combined. You can get a sense of the scale of the disaster when you consider that the town of Stepan, where this family lives is 321 kilometres away from the disaster zone - a four and a half hour drive.

The familyIgor is a welder by trade and under communism he was sent to Odessa on the coast to work, but apart from that he and his wife Helena have always lived in Stepan. Igor’s eyes and expression reveal the strain and pain he is under.

Entering the house, you realise that this is a family not struggling with faith or the will to work, but only with the devastating impact of physical illness. This has affected, not just Helena, but also three of their sons. The eldest of whom has Down syndrome, a middle boy who died in 2007, and now the youngest who was born with a rare form of pneumonia. Sitting in the lounge the nine children assemble with their mother who is visibly very unwell with a scarf tied round her head. Yet she is still the focal point, the glue that binds the family together.

APRIL 2016

Chernobyl, Ukraine - 30 Years on

Helena, her family and the reality of Chernobyl today

To welcome us, the whole family sing a song about the assurance that God has prepared a perfect place in heaven for His faithful people. Ukrainians are good singers, their voices beautiful, poignant and tinged with sadness. “We don’t want to ask for help”, Helena says. “But there is only so much I can do at the moment. We heard about Mission Without Borders through our local church in 2007 when one of my sons was very ill. Sadly he died, but the Mission was there for us then during that difficult time and they are supporting us again today.”

Helena’s faith and fears for her children Asked if their faith has made them doubt God or helped them rely on him, Helena said: “I don’t want to leave my children, I want to be here to help them grow, but if it is my time to leave this earth and to meet my maker, I accept it and am prepared through my faith in Jesus Christ.” At this point, our translator breaks down in tears. Trying to compose herself, all she can gasp before translating is: “This family is so positive.” “I think also of the conflict in the East of the country with Russia,” Helena continues. “We know many caught up in it and as a mother I hear their cries and know what it is like to fear for your children.We are very grateful for the support we receive. We want to do it ourselves, and as Christians we want to help others too, but at the moment it is very difficult.” As we say goodbye, our Coordinator, Sasha, who is supporting the family materially and emotionally, passes Igor a new ironing board, which he quickly takes inside, uncomfortable with the help he is receiving. In the wake of his wife’s illness he is having to take on more and more responsibility, particularly when it comes to cooking and practical work around the house. Helena wraps up tight in her fur coat to wave us goodbye at the door. There is something incredibly sad, but also strong about her that makes you fear and hope deeply at the same time. Please pray for this family, particularly for full healing for Helena. This family is already sponsored by 4 generous donors from Australia. However, their story is just one of many in the same or similar situation.

Your gift this month to MWB will bring encouragement, help and healing to those we minister to in Ukraine, still caught in the grips of an unimaginable disaster. Join us and declare through prayer and praise, that despite the horror and death caused by Chernobyl, somehow this country will find the faith, healing and salvation in what is truly eternal – the Lord Jesus Christ and the hope of the resurrection.

Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.Jeremiah 17:14

The Chernobyl Nuclear reactor meltdown was the biggest nuclear catastrophe in world history. Its effects will be felt for centuries. Radioactive waste is reported to last hundreds of thousands of years and will continue to poison the environment and affect the entire population for generations to come.

Children• Today in Ukraine, 6,000 children are born every year with genetic heart defects. More than 3,000 will die from lack of medical

attention. • 85% of children are deemed to be Chernobyl victims: they carry “genetic markers” that could affect their health at any time

and can be passed on to the next generation.

• Children born since 1986 are affected by a 250% increase in various forms of birth defects.

Health/Environment• 7 Million people living in the affected areas received the highest known exposure to radiation in the history of the atomic

age. • The mortality rates among the population already outnumber the birth rates. • 2,000 towns and villages were evacuated, and more than 400,000 people have been relocated from their homes since 1986.• A 70 square kilometre exclusion zone - “Death Valley” now exists, where no humans will ever be able to live again.

How can you help? Pray – that those affected in Ukraine, still with the radiation contamination will have improved health and that the Governments would continue to recognise the problems in the Chernobyl region. Pray for the families, children and the elderly still living in that region. Give – support with a financial gift to help the work of Mission Without Borders in Ukraine – return coupon provided. Become a sponsor - There are over 85,000 children living in Children’s Homes and more than 2,400 families living in poverty in need of sponsors to care, support and encourage them with the knowledge of Jesus’ love.

The following children of Ukraine need a sponsor to love and support them.Due to child protection laws, we are unable to print images of these children, however, if you choose to sponsor, you will receive a detailed information package with a photo.

Denys is 13 years old and is an orphan. Both his parents are deceased and his grandmother is his guardian. Denys suffers from poor hearing and has mild learning difficulties. He is in grade 5 at school and mathematics is his favourite subject. Denys is an active and extroverted child.

Maksym is 9 years old and is living in a Children’s Home in Dubno. He has both parents but they live in very poor conditions and cannot provide for his basic needs. He visits them on the school holidays. Maksym suffers from severe learning difficulties and is in grade 1 at school. He is a thankful child and asks us to pray for Ukraine and for peace in the whole world.

Myroslava is a 6 year old girl who has eye-sight problems. The Klevan Children’s Home, where she lives, has special education and care for children with eye-sight conditions. Myroslava is in grade 1 at school but struggles with learning difficulties. Reading, arts, crafts and music are her favourite subjects at school. She is a thankful and timid child.

Anastasia suffers from poor hearing and lives in the Berezivka Children’s Home. Her family are poor and she is the only child in the family. Anastasia is in grade 6 at school. Due to her hearing impairment, she also has learning difficulties and is unable to speak. Her favourite activities are physical education and arts/crafts. She is 13 years old.

Chernobyl Ukraine 30 Years On

The Melnik family are a poor family from Sarny. The mother, Tetyana, is a Christian but the father, Ivan, is not. They have 5 daughters and one has a speech impairment. Ivan cannot work permanently due to a spine trauma from being in an accident. He does some farming & temporary work when he can find it. Tetyana is unemployed. The family receives a Child Benefit of 2300 UAH ($118 AUD) /month.

The family lives in a 5 room house with a timber floor, which is not covered. The home is heated and cooking is done using a wood burning stove. The toilet, bathroom and kitchen are inside the house. The family have a small piece of land, where they grow potatoes, beets and other vegetables. They have 2 cows, pigs, a calf and poultry. They sell milk and cheese to make some income.

The Gozhko family live in Sarny in poor conditions. The father, Petro, had surgery to remove a hematoma on his head, which he got when he fell down during an epilepsy attack. He is unemployed due to his head trauma and epilepsy.

The mother, Lyudmyla, is a Christian and is also unemployed. They have 3 daughters and 2 sons. The family receives a Child Benefit of 2200 UAH ($113 AUD)/ month. They live in a 2 room house which is in poor conditions. The floor is timber and cooking is done using a wood burning stove inside the house. The home is heated with gas. The toilet is outside and there is no bathroom. The family have a small piece of land where they grow potatoes, beets and other vegetables. They also keep pigs and poultry.

The following families in Ukraine need sponsors to love and support them.

IMPORTANT NEWS - OVERCOMERS MAGAZINE 2016Exciting News!! Our annual Overcomers Magazine has been released!! This year, to avoid excessive printing and postage charges, please complete (the enclosed coupon) and return to us, or phone our office 02 9647 2022, or email australia@mwbi.org to request your copy (or copies) of Overcomers 2016.

There is also an electronic version on our website available now for immediate download www.mwb.org.au.

Please ensure you respond by Wednesday 13th April 2016. Extra copies are also available if you would like to pass them onto your families, friends and church. Please just call and ask.

We thank you for your continued support for Mission Without Borders and the people of Eastern Europe.

MISSIONWITHOUTBORDERSAUSTRALIA PO Box 7533 Silverwater NSW 1811 | 10 Stubbs Street Auburn NSW 2144Phone 02 9647 2022 Email australia@mwbi.org Website mwb.org.au facebook.com/MissionWithoutBordersAustralia