It has already been a month since schoolchildren returned to their studies. Despite the fact that Zaporizhzhia is only 30 kilometers from the front line, students have come back to classrooms equipped in school shelters and are happy to finally meet their classmates face to face after years of distance learning.
At the beginning of October, it was also time for the opening of the children’s Christian club at the Reimer Center, organized jointly with the local church Light of Life and the Future club network. After lessons and homework, children spend their free time here with friends.
The kids come together to play, communicate, learn, and discover God’s truths. The club’s opening turned into a real celebration. After introductions and games, the children listened to a short message from Pastor Maksym about the importance of doing good deeds. He emphasized that even the smallest can do great things — help others and be kind. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” It was a wonderful reminder, especially in times when we all need mutual support to overcome challenges.
After that, everyone took part in a cooking master class — making varenyky. Apart from being a traditional Ukrainian dish, varenyky symbolize the warmth of home and childhood. Traditionally, they are made by the whole family — it’s a time of togetherness, conversation, and laughter. For children, half of whom now call another place home because of the war, this master class was especially meaningful. Everyone contributed: some were shaping the dumplings, others helped with the dough or filling, while others cut out the dough circles. The atmosphere was so homely that the kids began experimenting with shapes, laughing, and even playfully tossing flour at each other. The little girls started smearing flour on the leaders’ faces and laughed heartily seeing the result.
“I taught the kids at my table how to fold the edges nicely!” shared Ksusha, proud to pass on her skill to others.
While the varenyky were cooking, the children sang songs, took part in competitions, and played active games. The meeting ended with a shared meal — everyone tasted the dumplings they had made themselves, while the room filled with laughter and cheerful chatter. “I like mine with sour cream!” — “Have you tried mixing it with ketchup?” — the kids shared their culinary opinions with excitement.
Ahead lie many more meetings, games, songs, workshops, and sincere conversations. The team plans to hold the children’s club every week, giving the kids a place not only to rest after school but also to learn something new, discover the Bible, and feel that they are not alone.
“Our goal is not just to organize fun activities,” said Olga, one of the ministry leaders, “but to create a space where children feel loved — where they can meet God and learn who He really is, and how valuable they are to Him.”
Sharing the Gospel remains the main purpose of these meetings. Being part of this community, the children can see that there is another way to live — with God. And one day, they will be able to make their own choice: to follow Christ or to live like the world around them. But to teach them — that is the responsibility of believers.
