2026 Mission Work
It still amazes me how God gathers His people. From Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Tennessee, Kyiv, and Zhytomyr, He moved us by road and by sky until we all arrived at the same dot on the map — Krakow. None of this happened by accident. The Lord arranged our schedules, guarded our flights, guided our cars, smoothed our border crossings, and cared for details so small we may never even know them. We came together — one team, one purpose — minus two bags that decided to enjoy an extended vacation in Atlanta. They'll catch up soon enough.
In Zhytomyr, two more team members joined us. The mission gathered strength, and the Lord was already ahead of us, preparing the way.
(L-R) Senior Pastor David Williams, Kathy Rohmfeld, Dave Rohmfeld, Susan Habegger (Thrive Life Skills), Olena Guinn, Mike Guinn, Kristen Caballero, Felix Caballero, Oleksii Puddubnyi, Holding Ukraine Administrator Oksana Matsun
Jeff and Daniella Bergmann
(Bergmann Ministries)
2026 Zhytomyr Seminar
We are grateful to share that we were able to hold another seminar in Zhytomyr in partnership with Pastor Oleksandr and his team at the Resurrection Church focused on PTSD and Trauma training for the pastors and church leaders. We were also ministering in hospitals that care for wounded soldiers—offering emotional and spiritual support where it was needed most.
"It was hot! And no air conditioning. But the people came. Men and women. Older and young. As I began to speak, I could see it in their faces - they were ready to engage and share. Almost everyone either had a family member or friend who is serving in the war or were displaced from the war zone; some had served in the war themselves.
When given opportunity to speak, the words - and the emotion - spilled forth. “My grandson is in the war and I worry so much about him.” “Since I returned from the war, I have a different perspective of life. I value it so much.” “It is hard for a wife because a soldier now feels closer to his brothers of war.” “The triggers of war are unpredictable and powerful.” “War changes everything.”
"I opened the conversation that there might be other suffering, maybe things in the past - unrelated to the war. Things that had been pushed into a box and hidden away. Old wounds. And the tears came. The heads nodded.
There was much to talk about this week. Wounds to uncover. Fears to face. Losses to name and mourn. Emotions to express.
As stories are told we will begin to plant truth and inspire toward hope. We will comfort with the same comfort we have received." Susan Habegger
2026 Zhytomyr--Military Hospitals
The first day at the hospitals was a testament to God's triumph amidst life's unexpected twists. While en route to serve our wounded soldiers, our food trailer suffered a setback with a broken axle. Yet, through quick thinking, the team managed to redistribute the most essential items to two vans and made it to the hospital. The hospital director was on vacation, but in a remarkable turn of events, he happened to be in for a few hours and we were able to secure permission to set up the makeshift food station He also allowed us to share the Gospel of John with service patients and staff - His reply, though unceremonious was a "yeah, yeah, yeah whatever you need" as he remembered us from last year. Victory in Jesus indeed rang true. As we improvised without the full kitchen setup, only to discover some crucial items were still miles away, the team's resilience kicked in. A nearby store proved providential, allowing us to swiftly acquire what was needed. Soon, the aroma of food filled the air, accompanied by abundant prayers and gospel sharing.
Day two of the hospital ministry.This hospital was built about 1977 during the soviet era. We met with the director of the hospital and he wanted to take us on a tour of the remodeling of the hospital. There has been very little updates since 1977, and the building was definitely showing its age. The hospital operating rooms and patient rooms are bare bones like a 1960s US hospital with little to no equipment other than a bed. Thanks to a grant from Europe, they are now starting to remodel the outside and change the operating rooms into a state-of-the-art facility.
When we first arrived, the head nurse remembered us from last year and was glad to see us again. Many of them did not think we would come back.
This hospital has an amazing staff and their personality and love for their patients shows through in everything they do. Many soldiers that are wounded in battle request this hospital even though it is not one of the newest and modern facilities, they choose it because of the level of care and love they receive. During the start of the war in 2022, the hospital staff went to the director and asked when they would be evacuating and how they should handle getting the patients out. He told them he was born in this village, raised in the village and will fight to defend the village. He would not be going anywhere. So the staff stayed with him and they have not lost one staff member even to this day. It is that dedication to their patients that shines through in everything they do.
There were many stories shared today but almost every one of them without exception, ended with the soldiers sharing their love for their nation and their desire to get back to their units.
We also got the opportunity to see the sonogram machine that Holding Ukraine shipped here earlier this year and they have added additional equipment to it. They also hired a doctor who is specialized in the use of this machine. He will be using it to find the shrapnel in the wounded soldier's and also used for the civilians from the village.
Medical Mission Success!!
We are grateful to share a beautiful story of God’s provision and the power of your prayers. After a long journey—one covered in prayer from beginning to end—the donated medical equipment has safely arrived at the military hospital in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. Every mile of its travel was a reminder that the Lord goes before us, makes a way, and completes what He begins.
In June 2026, our team hopes to stand beside the doctors and nurses who will be using this equipment and witness firsthand the impact it is already making. Lives are being touched, strengthened, and supported because of the generosity and intercession of people who may never meet these patients face‑to‑face, yet have chosen to love them deeply in Christ.
We’ve included photos below so you can see the fruit of your prayers. These moments represent more than a delivery—they represent obedience, compassion, and the living witness of Acts 1:8. Together, we are carrying the hope of Christ “to the end of the earth.”
We are humbled that the Lord has allowed us to be part of His work in Ukraine, and we are thankful for every person who has prayed, given, and stood with us. Your faithfulness is changing lives in ways only heaven will fully reveal.
Spring 2026 Medical Mission
We are continually humbled by the ways God chooses to use Holding Ukraine for His purposes, often in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine. Each year, we find ourselves stretched and blessed in new directions, and we are reminded that it is not by our own strength, but by His grace that we are able to serve.
To share a bit of background, one of our board members also serves on the board of Options in New Braunfels, a remarkable nonprofit dedicated to providing women with life-affirming alternatives to abortion. Their ministry has seen a 99% success rate, which is a testament to God’s work through them.
Recently, they had a sonogram machine that, while still in excellent condition, had been replaced by newer technology. In a spirit of generosity, they asked if we could help send it to Ukraine, and we felt deeply honored to say yes. With grateful hearts, we prepared the sonogram and ten cases of donated medical supplies from Janice Rice, trusting that God would guide each step.
As we reached out to the lead nurse at a hospital we had served last year, we learned that no one was currently trained to use the equipment. Yet, in God’s perfect timing, the hospital director shared that a new doctor—qualified and ready—was joining their team but lacked the necessary equipment. It was clear to us that God had orchestrated this connection, aligning needs and resources in a way only He could.
Despite facing many obstacles and setbacks in our efforts to deliver the supplies to Ukraine, we witnessed God’s faithfulness through the perseverance of our dear friend Mike Guinn. Over three months, Mike overcame challenge after challenge, securing the paperwork and shipping details. We are deeply grateful for his dedication, but even more so for God’s provision and guidance throughout the process.
Finally, the day arrived for the truck to collect the pallets of supplies and the sonogram machine, joining other shipments already in route to Tennessee. After a brief stop in New Jersey, the destination is a hospital in the Zhytomyr region, where the need is great. We pray that God will bless our journey this summer, allowing us to witness firsthand how He is using these gifts to bring hope and healing.
We recognize that every step of this journey is a testament to God’s sovereignty and love. We are simply vessels, grateful and humbled to be part of His work in Ukraine. May He continue to stretch us, bless us, and use us for His glory.
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