Our first July group of War-Widowed Mothers has recently departed Hope Ranch, and their time with us was profoundly meaningful. Each woman made the courageous journey across Ukraine at great personal risk—traveling during a time when air strikes have been more frequent and severe than at any point since the war began.
Their willingness to come, despite such danger, speaks powerfully of their deep hunger for hope.
This group of war widows were paired our Walk With a Widow Group from the Lookout Mountain area, whose handwritten notes were filled with life-giving kindness, encouragement, and Scripture. Each letter was received with such joy—and often disbelief—that a stranger across an ocean would care for them and to pray for them so personally and intentionally.
Below are some photos of our most recent July group.
During their first stay at Hope Ranch, these War-Widowed Mothers began their journey of healing and renewal. They took their first steps in job training, received compassionate trauma care from experienced specialists, and were introduced to the gospel through the study of God’s Word—led by Ukrainian leaders trained through Kay Arthur’s Precept Ministries.
In just 10 days, our team began to witness transformation. The burdens these women carry began to lift. They felt seen, supported, and deeply cared for. They began to realize that “religion” is different from a “relationship” with God, and they demonstrated a genuine desire to know Him more.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words—and the two photos below speak volumes. They capture the visible change in one War-Widowed Mother: her countenance when she first arrived, and the peace she carried when she left—having encountered the love of Christ through our ministry.
This is a powerful reminder of how significant it is for us to walk with a widow in this critical time in her life.
I look forward with anticipation to each of you experiencing the blessing of this sacred connection when your own group arrives Hope Ranch over the next few weeks.
We are so grateful for the enthusiastic response we’ve received from each of you! Our Walk With a Widow participants come from 24 cities across 7 states— California, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah!
Prayer Precedes Miracles!
As you wait for your War-Widowed Mother to arrive at Hope Ranch, we invite you to continue preparing through prayer.
- Ask the Lord to strengthen her as she endures the ongoing weight of intensified attacks across Ukraine.
- Pray that nothing will stand in the way of her journey—or her full participation in the program.
- Lift up a prayer that God would continue to bring to us those most in need of help, hope, and the healing love of a Savior.
Thank you for walking with a widow.
