Right person, right place, right time

Nataliya (Sutton) shares how her faith has given her the confidence to support those fleeing the war in Ukraine

IFIRST arrived in the UK in 2010 and, when I came to The Salvation Army in Sutton, I knew nothing about it! I was brought up in Lviv, Ukraine, in the Greek Catholic faith. In my country we are conservative, so it is unusual for people to explore different denominations outside of the traditional church. However, when I came to Sutton Salvation Army, I found everyone to be very friendly and I was amazed that there could be so many nice people in one place.

I first made contact with the corps after the invasion of Ukraine began. The corps had arranged a drop-in service for Ukrainian refugees every week and I got in touch to see if I could help as there was a large influx of refugees in the area. They didn’t know the language to ask for help, or how to apply for medical services or schools for their children. Having lived in the UK, I was able to help them access services. I guess I was a friendly face that they could relate to. I also set up a Facebook group for Ukrainians living in Sutton, where I could provide the necessary information.

Currently there are about 600 Ukrainian refugees living in and around Sutton. Last year, the corps provided spaces to 60 Ukrainian children and their families in a summer school, and I organised a team of Ukrainians who provided art, music, games and language lessons for our children. I thank God that I am here at the right time and in the right place. The Salvation Army has encouraged me to help other Ukrainians and given me the confidence to aid them.

Since the invasion, my relationship with God has been up and down. I do believe in God and I always have done –but when something bad happens my relationship is strained. However, here at The Salvation Army I have been given answers to questions I didn’t even ask. This has made my faith clearer than it was before. When I went to church in Ukraine it was very ritualistic, and I didn’t understand. However, here at The Salvation Army I understand more about God and I think more about faith. Every Sunday we talk about something different, and it sticks in my head. We discuss the war in Ukraine and we pray for the country.

God sends me good things. He also supports the Ukrainians who have come here and he makes us stronger together. He is giving us strength to continue. In the past couple of days, I have felt so happy to have come to this church and to have met so many kind people. I am grateful to God that I am here. When the war has ended, I still want to be involved with The Salvation Army.