Local Missionaries Provide Aid at Ukraine Border

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Two weeks ago, missionaries Henry and Victoria Benach decided to go overseas to assist those fleeing Ukraine.

“I’ve booked the tickets, got everything ready, and we’re going by faith,” said Henry.

Now, Henry and his wife Victoria are in Poland, at the Ukrainian border.

“I’m maybe a mile from the border, at this moment. We’ve been working on the border city of Medyka, which is the main crossing where the Ukrainian refugees have been coming through.”

According to NPR, the number of Ukrainian refugees who have fled to Poland is roughly three million.

“There’s just, I mean, thousands of women and children that are coming across the border. I see Ukrainian men that are, and what they’re doing is they’re getting their families settled in their situation, and they’re turning around and going right back across the border to Ukraine.”

Victoria Benach is providing refugees with medication, bags for carrying their things, and lending an ear to hear their stories.

“You know, when I talk to these women I can’t cry. I have to be strong for them, but inside my heart is broken,” said Victoria.

Victoria’s family is still in Ukraine, and she has been in contact with them.

“So far they are doing okay. They’re safe, and we feel like this is the place we have to be.”

Henry told me that he and Victoria will return to Georgia on Saturday. After that, they’ll consider another trip to the border of Ukraine.