When Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Artem and Alina, like many other Ukrainians, made the difficult decision to remain in their community with their two daughters—despite the risk and uncertainty they faced.
In the years since then, it’s been challenging to hold on to hope. “I kept concentrating on difficulties, and I don’t want to keep doing that,” Artem reflects.
Owners of two successful restaurants, Artem and Alina responded to the challenges of war in the best way they could: share God’s love and use their business to provide internally displaced people (IDPs) with well-paying jobs.
During air raid alerts, military actions, and danger, the very first thing that saves us is prayer! God, family, and church—this is what gives strength in difficult and anxious times.
Stability in uncertain times
Over a decade ago, Artem and Alina took out their first loan with HOPE Ukraine to make improvements to their home after learning about the opportunity from church friends who work for HOPE. As the years progressed, Artem’s entrepreneurial drive led him to take out several more loans to continue improving his growing restaurants.
We are constantly expanding, developing, increasing the number of jobs. We buy equipment. We come to [HOPE Ukraine] for loans and are always satisfied!
HOPE Ukraine’s support has been critical as the war escalated. Artem explains, “We needed a generator. And literally in a week or two, we were disbursed a loan and quickly made the purchase.”
Beyond providing reliable employment for their staff, Artem and Alina also offer a salary higher than the average in their city. Their hope is to keep families together and retain workers, as qualified Ukrainian workers have moved abroad in search of higher-paying work. “For us, stability already feels like progress. This year we had no staff turnover,” reports Artem. “There was a difficult period when employee turnover was very high, but now everything is great.”
Everything from God
As committed Christians, Artem and Alina deeply value sharing the generosity that God has shown to them with others. Along with supporting IDPs fleeing violence, they reflect Christ’s love in other ways as well. “We often respond to the needs of those who are struggling,” Artem says, sharing how the restaurant provided free meals for a trip for children in need and food for the fellowship hour at their church.
Overall, continually sharing their faith and leaning on God is essential to Artem and Alina.
Prayer is the first and most important thing! We pray because we believe that God hears prayers and answers them. I constantly advise many friends in our church to pray without ceasing. Whatever happens, the first thing I do is pray.
“I want to personally leave a good mark behind me,” Artem says. “Not just to live life, but to do something to be remembered. I try to live in a right way. This is my life principle and goal.”
Sign up for our monthly prayer update to receive timely praise reports and requests for the families we serve like Artem and Alina, as well as our staff and partners around the world.
